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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gem Legacy?
Gem Legacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization partnering with East African gemstone mining communities to increase access to education, improve safety for miners, and expand pathways to meaningful work. We support students from primary school through college, equip artisanal miners with safer, more effective tools, and provide training that helps families build long-term stability.
No. Gem Legacy does not buy, sell, trade, broker, or profit from gemstones in any way. Our work is strictly philanthropic. We support the people who make the gemstone industry possible — miners, families, and students — through education, training, and community investment.

Gem Legacy is unique because:

  • We work directly with mining communities — no pass-through organizations.
  • Our East Africa–based team maintains daily engagement with schools, mines, and students.
  • Programs are community-requested and community-led.
  • We focus on long-term education, skill-building, and sustainable solutions – not short-term charity.
  • We maintain close ties to the global jewelry industry while operating as a completely independent nonprofit.

Our programs operate primarily in Tanzania and Kenya, where artisanal gem mining provides income for thousands of families. Gem Legacy’s on-the-ground team is based in Arusha, Tanzania, allowing us to respond directly to community needs and maintain long-term relationships.

All program expansion is community-driven. Our team meets directly with miners, schools, families, and local leaders to understand their priorities. Projects begin only when there is strong local partnership and long-term feasibility.

Your support funds programs such as:

  • primary, secondary, and college scholarships
  • miner toolkits tailored to each mine’s needs
  • health and safety training
  • daily meals at Kitarini Primary School
  • vocational training in gemology and gem faceting
  • the new Gem Legacy Campus in Arusha

Your donation does not fund any gem trade activity. You are investing directly in people and opportunity.

Yes. The cost of essential items — school meals, uniforms, safety equipment, classroom supplies, and vocational tools — is significantly lower than in the U.S. This means even modest gifts can create meaningful, measurable impact.

Absolutely. Gem Legacy publishes an annual Impact Report, shares financial summaries, and aligns programs with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Donors can request financial information at any time.

You can support the mission in several ways:

1. Donate
Online giving, recurring monthly support, sponsorships, or donor-advised fund gifts all strengthen programs.

2. Stay Connected
Join our From the Ground Up newsletter for stories, updates, and opportunities to engage.

3. Travel With Us
Gem Legacy Adventures offers immersive trips that bring supporters into the heart of mining communities to see the work firsthand.

4. Sponsor a Program
Support specific needs like miner toolkits, school meals, scholarships, or campus build-out opportunities.

No. Gem Legacy is a nonreligious, nonpolitical nonprofit committed to serving communities with respect for local culture and customs.
Yes. All programs are delivered in close collaboration with miners, families, local leaders, schools, and vocational institutions. Our East Africa staff (Pia, Skyler, Diana, and others) maintain constant communication with communities.

Programs are shaped by local insight. We do not attempt to change cultural values; instead, we help ensure individuals understand their options so they can make choices that align with their goals and beliefs.

Our on-the-ground team is led by a Tanzanian and we rely on our advisors in Kenya and Tanzania to advise us on what solutions are best for each initiative – with a specific focus on successful implementation and sustainability.

Yes. The new Gem Legacy Campus in Arusha will allow us to serve more students, expand scholarship access, offer consistent housing for trainees, and grow vocational programs sustainably.
Yes. Companies can support scholarships, miner toolkits, campus facilities, and community programs. Many supporters in the jewelry industry align their giving with their values and their commitment to ethical sourcing.

Visit our Impact page to see data, stories, program summaries, and past reports. You can also explore student success stories, miner outreach updates, and Campus developments throughout the site.

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