With a view to cater to the needs of small welfare oriented organisations, which were generally unable to access the Trust's funds, the Sir Ratan Tata Small Grant Programme (SGP) was launched in 1998-99. Since then, the Small Grant Programme has supported over 170 organisations in the following areas: 1) Education, 2) Health, 3) Arts and Culture, 4) Civil Society and Governance and 5) Rural Livelihoods and Communities. The Trust uses the SGP extensively to provide institutional support to fledgling development initiatives, including direct support to community based organisations.

In order to qualify for a grant under this programme, an organisation:

1. must have been in existence for at least one financial year;
2. should be working in a thematic area supported by the Trust;
3. should be situated in either an urban or rural area, though preference will be given to organisations in rural areas;
4. should have an expenditure not exceeding Rs.20 lakhs in the last financial year; and
5. should not be employing more than 20 individuals.

However, grants may NOT be requested for

• Purchase of land and building
• Construction activity of any kind
• Purchase of vehicles
• Corpus fund
• Conferences, workshops and seminars
• Office equipment including computers
• Training or travel abroad

Large organisations can also apply for a grant towards specific projects namely:

• strategic planning and/or evaluation exercises;
• focussed research activities;
• mainstreaming of innovations;
• setting up or strengthening of internal systems;
• project planning and appraisal

Receipt of a proposal does not indicate a funding commitment. All proposals received are subjected to a rigorous appraisal process, at the end of which, the decision taken regarding extending support, is communicated to the applicant.

Note: The Trust Supports Registered Indian Non Profit Organisations Only

The young child in Karnataka: A status report – Click here to read.

Delhi’s Midday Meal Scheme – A study by CORD – Click here to read a summary.

Successful Models of Environmental Education in Urban Schools – A report – Click here to read.

'A Walk in the Forest' – Click here to read.