Tiso Foundation

The Tiso Foundation is an unusual kind of funder: it pays for bursaries out of a shareholding rather than a corporate budget. When the founders of Tiso Group, the black-owned investment company set up in June 2001, gave a large part of their own shares to the foundation, they created an organisation that could support young people from the returns of a business it partly owns.

From a Tiso Group shareholding to a R750 million stake

The foundation was one of Tiso Group’s principal founding shareholders and registered as a public benefit organisation in May 2002. In July 2011 Tiso Group merged with Kagiso Trust Investments to form Kagiso Tiso Holdings (KTH), and the foundation became a principal shareholder in the combined company. It says that stake is now worth roughly R750 million.

Its founding trustees told it to put the development of black youth first. By its own count the foundation has reached more than 42 000 people and invested over R100 million in education and skills programmes since it began.

Registered name

Tiso Foundation

Type

Public benefit organisation (education)

Fields funded

Undergraduate degrees and national diplomas, plus master’s support

Website

tisofoundation.co.za

Email

applications@tiso.co.za

Phone

011 784 4111

The undergraduate bursary for 2027

The main programme funds degrees and national diplomas at accredited institutions. Applications for 2027 funding are open until 8 October 2026, and the foundation says it will accept only complete applications and will not extend the date. It does not fund higher certificates.

To be considered, the foundation’s own criteria say you must:

• be a South African citizen aged 18 to 34;
• be Black, Coloured or Indian, as defined for previously disadvantaged groups;
• have a matric average of at least 70%, or at least 65% if you are already studying full-time;
• be unemployed and in financial need;
• show a positive attitude, commitment to your studies and willingness to give back to your community.

Funding is paired with academic support, life-skills training and introductions to the foundation’s corporate and institutional partners when bursars finish their studies. The foundation also describes support for master’s students and apprenticeship pathways alongside the undergraduate bursary.

Tiso Foundation opportunities on BursariesAfrica

Because the foundation asks for a 70% matric average, strong Grade 12 learners from disadvantaged homes should treat it as one application among several. Our University Bursaries list has other funders with later closing dates.