The South Africa Development Fund (SADF) is a U.S. tax-exempt public charity directed by South Africans who have a vast knowledge of the issues in their country and strong ties to the United States. Established in 1985 by political exiles, SADF provides grants to community-based organizations committed to non-sexist, non-racial, democratic practices and which address human rights through health, education, economic development, environmental justice and democracy-building. SADF seeks to use philanthropy to promote grassroots activism aimed at providing services and resources to communities disadvantaged by decades of apartheid policies.