# The Thembisa Trust

- Type: Trust / foundation
- Charity number: 801978 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/801978)
- Website: https://www.thembisatrust.org
- Latest income: £9,453; spending £11.3k
- What it funds: Education / training, Prevention or relief of poverty, Economic / community development / employment
- Who it helps: Children / young people, Older people, Other charities or voluntary bodies
- How it gives: Makes grants to organisations
- Area of operation: South Africa, Zimbabwe
- Other names: Thembisa (working)
- Trustees: 8
- Last verified: 2026-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Canonical URL: https://opengrant.co.uk/funders/thembisa-trust

Thembisa's aim is to give a chance in life to some of South Africa's disadvantaged people by working in partnership with grassroots development projects. One focus is on small start-up projects unable to attract funding elsewhere.

## Open and forthcoming schemes (0)

None in OpenGrant's sources right now.

## Finances by year (Charity Commission)

| Year ending | Income | Spending | Grants to organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2025 | £9,453 | £11.3k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2024 | £11.8k | £11k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2023 | £12.1k | £11.8k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2022 | £14.2k | £13.5k | not filed |
| 31 Mar 2021 | £20.6k | £20.6k | not filed |

## Charitable objects

> (a) To advance the education of poor and disadvantaged students in schools and higher education in southern Africa and primarily in South Africa including the improvement of resources and the provision of bursaries. (b) To relieve the poverty of the poor and disadvantaged in southern Africa and primarily in South Africa. (c) To promote the equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

## What it funds

The Thembisa Trust is registered under the Charity Commission purposes education / training, prevention or relief of poverty and economic / community development / employment for children / young people, older people and other charities or voluntary bodies; the register records that it makes grants to organisations. In its latest reported year The Thembisa Trust reported income of £9,453 and spending of £11.3k. Over its last 5 reported years, to 31 Mar 2025, it spent £68.2k in total.

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as South Africa and Zimbabwe.

## How to apply

OpenGrant has not found an open scheme from The Thembisa Trust in its sources (last checked 4 Nov 2026). Its website (thembisatrust.org) may list programmes that are not yet open or are by invitation only. OpenGrant does not take applications; always check the funder's own guidance.

## Questions

### Is The Thembisa Trust open for applications now?

Not in OpenGrant's sources as of 4 Nov 2026: no open or forthcoming scheme from The Thembisa Trust is listed. Check the funder's website for programmes that are not yet open or that it does not advertise.

### Where does The Thembisa Trust fund?

The Charity Commission register lists its area of operation as South Africa and Zimbabwe.

### Does The Thembisa Trust give grants to individuals?

The Charity Commission register records that The Thembisa Trust makes grants to organisations, not that it makes grants to individuals.

### How much does The Thembisa Trust give each year?

The register does not break out The Thembisa Trust's grants for its latest year (only charities with income over £500,000 file that detail). Its total spending in the year to 31 Mar 2025 was £11.3k. Over its last 5 reported years its spending averaged £13.6k a year.

### How large is The Thembisa Trust?

In its latest reported year The Thembisa Trust reported income of £9,453 and spending of £11.3k.


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- [How to find grants for a UK charity: the complete guide](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/charity-grants-uk)
- [Trust fundraising prospect research: how to find out who funds charities like yours](https://opengrant.co.uk/blog/trust-fundraising-prospect-research)
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