What Mo Dewji Foundation does

The Mo Dewji Foundation is a privately-held philanthropic foundation established in 2014 by Tanzanian businessman Mohammed "Mo" Dewji, operating under the Registered Trustees of Mo Dewji Foundation Trust Fund structure. Headquartered in Dar es Salaam, the foundation delivers programs across three pillars: Education, Healthcare, and Water access, primarily targeting underserved Tanzanian communities. Its flagship initiative is the Mo Scholars Program, a higher education scholarship program that has supported 370+ students across 26+ partner institutions, combined with the recently launched Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program focused on food science and biotechnology. Healthcare is delivered through an integrated mobile camp model spanning eye care, cancer screening, pediatric oncology (via the Tumaini La Maisha partnership), and neural tube defects treatment, with 75,000+ patients served cumulatively. The Water pillar focuses on well construction and rehabilitation in central Tanzania, serving 31,750+ individuals across Singida, Morogoro, and Tanga regions.

The foundation operates a community-embedded, partnership-driven model rather than a technology platform. It has no commercial revenue model, technology products, APIs, or proprietary software; all services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, funded by founder donations and program partnerships. Distribution is direct-to-community through mobile health camps, scholarship application processes, and village-government coordination with government agencies (SUWASA, RUWASA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water). Strategic partnerships anchor each pillar: Kerry Group and IIT Madras Zanzibar for education, Tumaini La Maisha and Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute for healthcare, and King's Trust International, Georgetown, and Kym Rapier Foundation for international expansion. The foundation demonstrates data-driven program management through annual impact reports, with documented outcomes including a 96% post-graduation scholar success rate and a 6-fold improvement in childhood cancer survival rates.

The foundation is not a commercial enterprise and has no disclosed revenue, pricing model, or headcount-based operating model. Its funding flows from founder Mohammed Dewji's personal wealth, anchored by his 2016 Giving Pledge commitment to donate at least half his fortune. In November 2023, the foundation restructured from an NGO to a Trust structure to streamline governance. Founder recognition includes the TIME100 Philanthropy 2026 list.

Name

Mo Dewji Foundation

Legal name

The Mo Dewji Foundation

Website

https://modewjifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Mo Dewji Foundation is a Tanzanian philanthropic foundation operating education, healthcare, and water-access programs across Tanzania, funded by founder Mohammed Dewji and delivered through community-embedded mobile camps, university partnerships, and government collaborations serving underserved populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic and Social Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI)

Keywords

• Education scholarships
• Healthcare access
• Clean water programs
• Community development
• Philanthropic services

Headquarters

HQ city

Magomeni

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Funding: The foundation operates as a philanthropic organization funded primarily by founder Mohammed Dewji. Revenue comes from personal donations and partnerships rather than commercial activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Mo Dewji Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that provides free higher-education scholarships, mobile healthcare services (eye care, cancer screening, women's health, neural tube defect treatment), and clean water infrastructure to underserved Tanzanian communities. Programs are organized around three pillars — Education, Healthcare, and Water — and delivered through community-embedded teams and partnerships with government, universities, and healthcare institutions.

Product overview

The Mo Dewji Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected philanthropic programs organized around three core pillars: Education, Healthcare, and Water. The flagship Mo Scholars Program provides higher education scholarships with a distinctive three-year Learner's Journey model that combines academic funding with mentorship, leadership training, and career development. The Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program, launched in 2025, extends food science education through industry partnerships. Healthcare services are delivered through an integrated mobile camp model combining eye care, cancer screening, women's health, and neural tube defects services. Water access is addressed through well construction and rehabilitation with a village-centric approach. All programs are supported by the Scholars Sphere newsletter and operational partnerships with universities, healthcare institutions, and international organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mo Scholars Program: Higher education scholarship program providing tuition, living support, mentorship, and career guidance to talented Tanzanian youth.
• Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program

Products and services

• Mo Scholars Program Flagship higher-education scholarship program funding undergraduate studies for financially-in-need Tanzanian youth, providing full tuition coverage, accommodation, meals, mentorship, leadership training, and career guidance through a three-year Learner's Journey model.
• Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program Strategic one-year professional training and scholarship program in partnership with Kerry Group providing academic training in food science, biotechnology, and a four-month industry internship to develop African food technologists and industry leaders.
• Eye Care Program Mobile eye camp program providing free cataract screenings, sight-restoring surgeries, eyeglasses, and medication to underserved rural communities across Tanzania.
• Cancer Care and Women's Health Integrated cancer screening and treatment program offering cervical cancer screenings, breast exams, pediatric cancer support through the Tumaini La Maisha partnership, and gynecological care services delivered through mobile camps.
• Neural Tube Defects Care Prevention and treatment program for spina bifida and hydrocephalus, including early detection through integrated health camps, surgical referrals, professional training, and nationwide prevention efforts including food fortification and maternal nutrition education.
• Water Access Program Village-centric clean water infrastructure program involving construction and rehabilitation of wells, supporting Ministry of Water's WASH initiatives, with 34 existing wells audited and plans to rehabilitate 50 more and construct 50 new wells.
• Mobile Health Camps Comprehensive mobile healthcare outreach model that embeds multiple specialty services — eye care, gynecology, cancer screening, and neural tube defect detection — into single camp infrastructure hosted across 10+ regions of Tanzania.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% post-graduation success rate with 3.8 GPA average among Mo Scholars
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IIT Madras ZanzibarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with the 'MIT of India' to equip Mo Scholars with world-class training in AI and Data Science. Critical to Tanzania's digital and economic growth, providing scholars with global exposure, technical expertise, and tools to drive innovation across healthcare, agriculture, and finance.
• University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Partner university for the Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program providing academic training in food science, biotechnology, and related fields. One of 26 higher learning institutions partnered with Mo Scholars Program supporting over 250 scholarships.
• Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Partner university for the Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program providing academic training in food science and agriculture. Supports the foundation's goal of developing expertise in food technology across Africa.
• Kym Rapier FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership to fund community-based eye camps providing free cataract surgeries and essential eye care services to underserved Tanzanian communities. Kym Rapier Foundation collaboration with Mo Dewji Foundation represents a first-of-its-kind partnership to support transformative eye care initiatives across Tanzania. The partnership has produced documentary films showcasing beneficiary stories.
• Kerry GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Global leader in taste and nutrition partnered with Mo Dewji Foundation to establish the Mo-Kerry Scholarship Program - a one-year professional training and scholarship initiative designed to build the next generation of African food technologists and industry leaders. Kerry Group provides industry training modules and a four-month internship placement as part of the program.
• King's Trust InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Formalized partnership to scale the Enterprise Challenge Program across East Africa. The program equips young people with entrepreneurial, financial, and digital skills. Already delivering strong outcomes in Kenya and Uganda, MDF's support enables expansion into Tanzania. Over 600 youth engaged regionally with 71% transitioning into education, employment, or training.
• Tumaini La Maisha (TLM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Largest childhood cancer center in East Africa supported by MDF for over 13 years. MDF funding has helped increase childhood cancer survival rate from 1-in-10 to 6-in-10. TLM operates the National Children's Cancer Network (NCCN) aiming to have 34 centers across Tanzania. MDF supports drug costs and diagnostic tools at Muhimbili National Hospital and partner centers. As of 2023, 14 centers across 11 regions are offering care.
• Georgetown University Pivot ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MDF contributed $350,000 over three years to support reentry and reintegration of formerly incarcerated Black Americans. Over 90% of graduates secured employment within 3-4 months, and 15+ have launched entrepreneurial ventures. Demonstrates Southern foundation investing in social justice in the North.
• Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in spina bifida and hydrocephalus treatment programs. MDF works closely with MOI and the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAHT) to combat neural tube defects in Tanzania. The partnership includes surgical sponsorship programs and awareness campaigns.
• Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with MDF and Ministry of Health to address spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Tanzania. Collaboration includes surgical camps, professional training, and advocacy efforts for inclusive care.
• MEDEWELL Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner healthcare center for debut eye camp program in Singida region, November 2023. Provided venue and support for free eye screenings, surgeries, and medication distribution.
• Singida Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (SUWASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to ensure clean and safe drinking water accessibility nationwide. SUWASA works with MDF on water infrastructure projects including well construction and rehabilitation in Singida region.
• Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partnered with MDF to expand clean water access in rural communities. Supports the foundation's village-centric approach to water infrastructure development.
• ESTL (Enabling Communities to Change Lives)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO partnered with MDF for water wells inspection project covering 22+ wells built by Mohammed Dewji in 13 wards of Singida Municipality. Collaboration ensures proper monitoring and sustainability of water infrastructure.
• MeTL Group of CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTanzania's largest private sector employer and corporate arm of the foundation. MeTL provides workforce training opportunities for Mo Scholars, aiming for 100% placement rate within three months of graduation. Through MeTL's breadth and reach, scholars gain hands-on experience for seamless transition from academics to practical application.
• Ministry of WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDF supports the Ministry of Water's WASH initiatives ensuring every Tanzanian has access to safe drinking water. Under Ministry supervision, MDF conducted audit of 34 existing water wells. MDF aims to be integrated within the national water grid for long-term sustainability.
• Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDF works with Ministry of Health on healthcare programs including spina bifida treatment and eye care camps. Ministry involvement ensures alignment with national health priorities and enables policy influence. Minister of Health visited spina bifida camp in April 2024.

Scale indicators29 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mastercard Foundation: Africa-focused philanthropic foundation with similar programmatic pillars in education and economic empowerment. Comparable in targeting young African talent through scholarships and skills training, with comparable scale of beneficiaries across multiple African countries.

Regional players

• Mo Ibrahim Foundation: African philanthropic foundation focused on governance and leadership development across the continent. Comparable in being a prominent African-led foundation established by a wealthy business figure with continental ambitions and TIME100-level recognition.
• Dangote Foundation: Africa's largest private philanthropic foundation founded by Africa's then-richest man, Aliko Dangote. Closely comparable as a founder-led African philanthropy operating across health, education, and economic development, though focused on Nigeria rather than Tanzania.
• Tony Elumelu Foundation: African philanthropic foundation focused on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment across the continent. Comparable in operating model as a private foundation established by a wealthy African business figure, with similar emphasis on youth capacity building.

Broad incumbents

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Largest global philanthropic foundation with major programs in global health and education. Comparable as a major foundation targeting health outcomes in low-income countries, though operating at vastly larger scale than MDF.
• Clinton Foundation: Global philanthropic foundation operating across health, education, and economic development with programs in multiple countries. Comparable in operating model as a multi-pillar foundation established by a high-profile individual, with international programmatic reach.
• Open Society Foundations: Major global philanthropic foundation operating across multiple program areas including health and education. Comparable as a large-scale grantmaking foundation with multi-country programmatic presence and engagement with systemic development issues.
• Wellcome Trust: Major health-focused philanthropic foundation with significant global health programming. Comparable in operating at the intersection of philanthropy and health research funding, though based in the UK with global rather than single-country focus.

Emerging players

• Co-Impact: Global philanthropic collaborative funding systems change in health, education, and economic opportunity. Comparable in programmatic pillars and emphasis on measurable impact in low- and middle-income countries, though operates as a funder collaborative rather than direct implementer.
• King's Trust International: Youth empowerment organization partnered with MDF to deliver Enterprise Challenge in East Africa. Directly comparable in programmatic approach to youth entrepreneurship and skills training, and is a current operating partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DewjiFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/MoDewjiFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mo-dewji-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/modewjifoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mo Dewji Foundation