The School of St Jude Limited is an Australian nonprofit organization that serves as the official support base for The School of St Jude in Tanzania. It operates under the Australian Business Number (ABN) 53620147775RR0001 and is registered as a charity in New South Wales, Australia.

Overview

The School of St Jude Limited, commonly referred to as The School of St Jude Australia, was established in 1999 by Gemma Sisia. It was originally known as the East African Fund before adopting its current name. The organization exists to provide a firm legal and fundraising foundation in Australia in support of The School of St Jude’s mission in Tanzania. It is a registered charity with full tax deductibility status granted by the Australian Government since July 1, 2014.

The organization focuses on minimizing administrative costs so that a significant majority—97 cents of every dollar donated—is channeled directly to support the school. Australian supporters contribute about 92% of the funding necessary to maintain and grow The School of St Jude’s educational programs. The funds support a high-quality education system in Tanzania that consistently ranks among the top 10% of schools in the country.

Mission and Educational Impact

The School of St Jude’s core mission is to fight poverty in Tanzania through education. The initiative provides free, high-quality education to students who are academically talented but come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The school offers scholarships to 100% of its students, supplying textbooks, uniforms, transportation, meals, and boarding for secondary students.

The school fosters a holistic and well-rounded education, aiming to empower Tanzanian youth not only to succeed academically but also to challenge societal challenges and emerge as future leaders. With more than 1,800 students enrolled across its campuses, the school employs around 300 Tanzanian staff members.

Organizational Role in Australia

The Australian entity plays a vital role in fundraising and community engagement. It manages donor relations and ensures financial transparency and accountability. The School of St Jude Australia also works to raise awareness about the educational and social impact the school has in Tanzania and encourages the Australian public to support its ongoing programs through donations, scholarship sponsorships, and advocacy.

Every year, the organization injects approximately $10 million into the local Tanzanian economy, reinforcing the school’s role as a significant contributor to community development.

Governance

The School of St Jude Limited is governed by a Board of Directors based in Australia, tasked with strategic oversight and ensuring the organization meets its obligations to donors and beneficiaries alike.

In summary, The School of St Jude Limited (Australia) is a critically important nonprofit that sustains and expands educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Tanzania through effective fundraising, stewardship, and advocacy in Australia. Its work embodies a long-term commitment to alleviating poverty through education and leadership development[1][2][4][5].

[1] https://www.schoolofstjude.org/australia/ [2] https://www.schoolofstjude.org [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/67f46be7-39af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/profile [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/67f46be7-39af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/documents/7441f372-5255-eb11-bb23-000d3ad1ce4e [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_St_Jude