The Alchemy of Enterprise

Investing in artisan enterprises improves the quality of life and creates a sustainable future for rural communities in emerging markets.

These rural communities are often marginalized or indigenous communities. The communities lack basic infrastructure, like paved roads, electricity or water and sanitation systems. Basic services like health care or schools may be unavailable or unaffordable. Men must migrate to distant cities for work leaving women and children behind. Their families are dependent on remittances which may be infrequent or insufficient.

By investing in artisan enterprises, we help to create sustainable livelihoods in these remote communities. Local teams are trained and developed with the business skills to manage these enterprises which become economic drivers of the local economies.

R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund Announces 2024 Market Development Grants!

R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is proud to announce the recipients of its Market Development Grant Program for 2024. The program supports artisan enterprises with a clear mission to increase incomes to underserved communities, preserve traditional craft techniques, and address the environmental impact of their production.

Created in partnership with Realize Impact, the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund invests in early stage artisan enterprises addressing three key impact investment themes:

• women’s empowerment

• sustainability

• climate change.

This year, we invested in Karghewale and ÉCHALE, and funded 2024 market development initiatives of seven companies from seven countries. We also continue to provide marketing and business development support to www.tilonia.com and www.sproutenterprise.net.