Corporación Tamsa El Regalo es la Vida, Colombia
The founders of Corporación Tamsa El Regalo es la Vida (Tamsa, which means “gift”, “donation” or “sharing” in the local indigenous language) have been working together around a range of local initiatives since 2009. Tamsa itself was established and registered in 2022, with 34 founding members who are all connected to 15 local organizations: together these comprise Tamsa’s “web of solidarity for the common good.” While past initiatives were largely focused on environmental issues, Tamsa now works with the broader mission of promoting voluntary work, respect, reciprocity, solidarity and commitment to building trust and defending the common good at the local level and to promote citizens’ ability to hold local authorities to account. Tamsa operates in Guasca, a municipality about 70km from Bogotá with a population of approximately 15,000.
In November 2024, Tamsa hosted the mini-Summit “Empowering Guasca: An Experience of Community Philanthropy”, during which they launched their new socio-environmental fund “Pollinator of Life.” With a GFCF grant in 2025, Tamsa will further develop the fund, which they describe as a “promising tool to promote community philanthropy.” As a first step, Tamsa will undertake a community mapping to identify specific needs and areas that could be addressed by the fund. The mapping will also consider inspiring local initiatives in pursuit of the common good, which may potentially be supported by the fund. At the same time, Tamsa will develop a fundraising strategy, aiming to mobilize local resources (both cash and in-kind). In 2025, the fund’s first cycle of grantmaking will be conducted, while Tamsa will also be identifying local individuals to serve on the fund’s evaluation and selection committees.
Since 2023, the GFCF has made two grants to Tamsa, totaling US $27,000.