Inspiring Local Giving and Civic Action
A nationwide movement encouraging Tanzanians to give back through time, skills, or resources to solve local challenges and drive community transformation
Overview
Giving Tuesday is a global movement that celebrates generosity in all its forms—time, resources, skills, and ideas toward causes that uplift society. What began as a one-day global campaign has become a powerful platform for civic action and local giving.
In Tanzania, the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) launched Giving Tuesday Tanzania in 2016 to cultivate a spirit of homegrown generosity. The first campaign supported children with disabilities at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School. In 2017, it expanded to fund surgeries and health insurance for children with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida at Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOI), resulting in 91 lifesaving surgeries and 101 NHIF covers.
Over the years, the campaign has evolved into a national platform for local philanthropy, financial resilience, and youth-led impact. Giving Tuesday Tanzania showcases that generosity is not a foreign concept—it is already deeply rooted in Tanzanian communities.
At the heart of the campaign is My Giving Story, a youth storytelling initiative that amplifies stories of local giving. Since 2018, it has inspired young changemakers to lead through action, volunteerism, and creativity
Objectives & Key Focus Areas
The Giving Tuesday Tanzania campaign aims to promote a culture of local philanthropy by encouraging individuals and communities to give back through acts of generosity rooted in Tanzanian values. The initiative seeks to reduce dependency on external aid by showcasing that sustainable change can be driven from within. A key focus is the active engagement of young people as leaders in civic action, community problem-solving, and social innovation.
Through storytelling, visibility, and collaboration with civil society organizations and the private sector, the campaign fosters a spirit of ownership, volunteerism, and collective responsibility. The campaign also serves to amplify homegrown solutions, with My Giving Story at the center—demonstrating that generosity, leadership, and action already exist in our communities and only need to be celebrated and scaled.
Impact & Achievements
Since its inception, Giving Tuesday Tanzania has made significant impact across multiple levels. In its early stages, the campaign directly contributed to 91 life-saving surgeries and 101 NHIF health insurance covers for children with Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.
The launch of My Giving Story in 2018 created a platform for youth to share powerful stories of giving highlighting efforts in volunteering, grassroots fundraising, and community-led problem-solving. The campaign has so far supported 15 youth changemakers with grants to support causes of their choice and collected over 100 inspiring youth stories from across the country. These achievements not only demonstrate the viability of local giving, but also position Giving Tuesday Tanzania as a powerful vehicle for mindset change, youth empowerment, and national civic engagement.
