The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF) has received tax-exempt status from Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit charity organisation, effective September 27, 2018. EDTF can apply for government, foundation and other grants, which will further broaden its access to resources and strengthen its ability to help address critical needs in Ethiopia. EDTF officially began collecting donations on October 22, 2018. Chaired by Alemayehu G. Mariam (PhD), professor of political science at California State University and an attorney, the council has 15 members composed of scholars, business executives, human right activists and heads of international organisations. So far, EDTF has collected 4.7 million dollars in donations from 77 donor’s countries, adding that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has given EDTF a two-year grant to fund the cost of its secretariat in Addis Abeba. In June 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) called on the diaspora community to contribute one dollar a day to fund social and developmental projects.
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