Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST) General Grant Program

Rural India Supporting Trust General Grant Program

Geographic Scope: India only

Focus Areas:

• Healthcare service delivery
• Educational influence in health, nutrition, and STEM
• Disability support (assisting people with disabilities to lead dignified lives)
• Environmental protection (reducing air and water pollution)

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

Grant Application Process

Note: As of the extraction date (April 3, 2026), RIST is temporarily pausing acceptance of new grant applications.

Step 1: Assess Eligibility

Applicants must meet criteria outlined above before proceeding.

Step 2: Submit Concept Note

• Frequency: Accepted on a rolling basis
• Purpose: Allows foundation to understand your organization and specific project/program
• Required Information:
  • Contact information
  • Brief description of organization
  • Project design description
  • Confirmation of tax-exempt status
  • Amount of money requested
• Outcome: Leads to decision to solicit full grant application

Step 3: Submit Full Proposal

• Frequency: Accepted on a rolling basis
• Eligibility: Organizations demonstrating potential fit with mission and focus areas (invited after Concept Note review)
• Note: Invitation to submit Full Proposal does not guarantee funding
• Submission Platform: SurveyMonkey Apply

Step 4: Grant Agreement & Fund Disbursement

• Foundation notifies organization of decision via email
• Applicants can check status by logging into SurveyMonkey Apply account
• Successful applicants receive:
  • Email notification
  • Grant agreement for signing by all parties
  • Fund disbursement plan

Reporting Requirements

All grantees must:

• Submit regular reports measuring results
• Participate in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities
• Submit timely interim and final grant reports

Required Reports:

1. Progress Reporting Template
2. MEL Reporting Template
3. Budget Reporting Template
4. Final Progress Report Template

Submission: Reports due on dates specified in award letter via SurveyMonkey Apply portal

Consequences: RIST reserves right to suspend grant activities and require fund return for delinquent or unsatisfactory reporting. Reporting history considered in future grant awards.