Join Us in Investing in Artisan Enterprises!
Micro, small and early-stage artisan enterprises typically lack the capital resources necessary for them to grow successfully. Catalytic capital is needed to support these artisan enterprises in building more effective sales distribution, more efficient operations and more timely financial reporting. Only with appropriate capital and support will these artisan enterprises be able to grow and create livelihoods in rural communities with few economic alternatives.
Artisan activity creates jobs, increases local incomes, and preserves cultural traditions that in many places are at risk of being lost. Over 65% of artisan activity takes place in developing economies.
You can join us in investing in artisan enterprises.
To invest in the impact opportunities of the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund, you can make a tax-deductible contribution, or make a grant from your donor advised fund (DAF) or private foundation. You can also co-invest directly in select investment opportunities.
Our Impact Portfolio
We deploy capital using a range of investment vehicles from grants to revenue-based equity investments while seeking a return of capital for further investment, creating a reinvestment cycle that multiplies the catalytic impact of philanthropic capital.
Our portfolio of impact opportunities includes small scale producers:
empowering women by creating local and home-based income opportunities, valuing their skills and knowledge, and improving the quality of life for their families,
operating sustainably by reusing and recycling waste materials, or sourcing local, natural materials, and honoring local traditions and cultures,
fighting climate change through innovations in clean energy, reforestation, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
In 2024, we invested in two small-scale rural producers:
Young Mountain Tea markets premium tea to the specialty tea market, while supporting the regeneration of the farmlands in Kumaon and increasing the incomes of the tea farmers. Through Young Mountain Tea’s launch of Kumaon Tea, a tea company in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, a modern, tea processing facility will be owned by the tea farmers over time. 90% of Kumaon Tea farmers are women.
FECCEG is a federation of 17 associations and cooperatives of farmers established in 2006 to help small coffee producers in Guatemala to overcome price fluctuations and risks of the international coffee market. FECCEG provides resources, training, and technical assistance for the organic production of specialty coffee to its members. The federation works with 1,550 member farmers in nine departments of Guatemala.
Our Grant Program
Through our Market Development Grant Program, we support artisan enterprises with a clear mission to increase incomes to underserved communities, preserve traditional craft techniques, and address the environmental impact of their production.
In the past two years, the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund has provided market development grants to more than 15 enterprises generating over $2.4 million in sales and creating livelihoods for more than 12,200 artisans in 15 countries.
Avani is a community-based organization creating sustainable livelihoods in the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayas through the revival of heritage craft, implementation of appropriate technology and conservation initiatives in rural communities. More than 2,200 artisans and farmers have benefited from Avani's initiatives in this remote mountain region in northern India.
Bawa Hope is an ethical fashion company working with 140 artisans in the informal settlements in Kenya to create and develop contemporary, ethnic jewelry which satisfies the conscious consumer’s desire for value, quality and fashion while creating sustainable opportunities for artisan communities.
Bawa Hope collaborates with refugee artisans to produce a line for MADE51.
Kumaon Tea Factory is co-owned by tea farmers in northern India and Young Mountain Tea. Most of the tea farmers are women. (c) 2024 Young Mountain Tea
Collaborative Craft Projects works closely with more than 25 artisan communities throughout Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to design, develop and make handcrafted homeware and furniture that is beautiful and functional. Their products showcase traditional skills and craftsmanship, bringing them to both local and global markets.
Hadithi Crafts is a community based organization representing more than 65 women’s groups in southeastern Kenya in the Tsavo ecosystem. Over 1800 women from 20 villages weave baskets and create jewelry to earn an income to support their families. This income provides an alternative to subsistence farming, poaching wildlife or cutting down forests for charcoal, timber and more farmland.
Hilo Sagrado provides indigenous women with the necessary tools to become micro-entrepreneurs, taking ownership of their own work to escape from extreme poverty. Every woven thread of hand crocheted accessories honors the cultural legacy of the Wayúu people. Currently, 183 artisans from eight communities in La Guajira region in Colombia craft this collection.
Itza Wood is a social venture in San Andres, Petén, Guatemala handcrafting sustainably sourced wooden and fiber tabletop and home accessories. All the materials are locally and sustainably sourced from the Petén jungle. Each piece is a unique expression of the Guatemalan jungle and a testament to the beauty and biodiversity of Petén.
Tierra & Lava captures the healing properties of ancient botanicals by empowering local Mayan farmers. The natural ingredients used in their beauty and personal care products are ethically sourced and uphold traditional Mayan cultural practices. Tierra & Lava sources its natural, organic ingredients from its own organic farm as well as from 17 rural Mayan communities in Guatemala.
Torajamelo is a B-Corp certified, PETA vegan approved, artisanal and sustainable slow-lifestyle brand, that celebrates the artistry of Indonesia’s indigenous women weaving communities. Torajamelo facilitates essential market access for more than 1,250 skilled women weavers, and more than 4,800 Indonesian artisans through its market platform AHANNA.
Torajamelo facilitates essential market access for more than 1,250 skilled women weavers.
Our Partners and Sponsors
R.I.S.E Artisan Fund has partnered with ByHand Consulting, Powered by People, and Trade+Impact in implementing the market development grant program to support artisan enterprises around the world. Initial funding for the program has been provided by the Rucker/Gibbs Family Charitable Fund.
Recent sponsors of the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund and Sprout Enterprise® also include:
American Online Giving Foundation, Circle of Sisterhood, Elizabeth Keating, Fidelity Charitable Foundation, Global Giving Foundation, Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, Kathryn B. McQuade Foundation, Robert Bartels, So Hum Foundation, Sweeney Family Fund, The Marvin & Sylvia Rubin Private Family Foundation.
Let's Create More Opportunities.
Created by Realize Impact and Sprout Enterprise®, the R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund invests in early stage artisan enterprises creating sustainable livelihoods for rural communities with few economic alternatives.
