Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST) General Grant Program

Rural India Supporting Trust General Grant Program

Status: Currently paused as of the extraction date. The foundation temporarily paused acceptance of new grant applications due to COVID-19 pandemic consequences. They aim to accept proposals later in the year.

Geographic Scope: India only

Focus Areas:

Funder Mission: RIST supports organizations and projects that aim to lessen the poverty gap by backing efforts to supply quality and affordable services in healthcare, education, disability, and environmental sectors in India.

Key Funding Principles

RIST supports initiatives that:
• Are replicable either within a sector or across geographical locations within India
• Include plans for long-term sustainability, such as co-funding
• Strive to collaborate with like-minded organizations
• Demonstrate good financial and organizational management
• Value community participation
• Integrate gender equality and consideration for people with disabilities
• Use rights-based approaches

What RIST Does NOT Fund

• Direct donations or grants to individuals
• Event fundraisers or sponsorships
• Lobbying of any kind
• Projects that exclusively serve religious purposes
• Projects not associated with India
• Election campaigns
• For-profit entities

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, OR
• Have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status and written authorization
• Non-US organizations must demonstrate capacity to receive RIST funds through:
- IRS determination equivalent to US public charity, OR - Other means of qualification
• Work must align with Foundation's funding interests and priorities

Contact & Application Portal

• Application System: SurveyMonkey Apply (cloud-based, secure system)
• Applications managed through: https://www.ristrust.org/apply-for-a-grant