Helping each other can make world better
Rise Fund was founded with a single, powerful belief:
World-changing ideas should never be limited by the circumstances of the person or community that conceives them.
In our early stages, we saw a recurring problem brilliant solutions to urgent issues were coming from people on the ground, those living closest to the challenges, but their ideas too often never left the page. They lacked access to funding, visibility, and trusted partners.
Rise Fund was created to bridge that gap becoming a launchpad for those voices and visions to flourish. What began as a small initiative has grown into a global catalyst, connecting dreamers with the resources and guidance they need to build impactful, sustainable change.
Why We Exist
In many communities, innovation is not hindered by a lack of ideas it is hindered by a lack of opportunity. We exist to unlock that opportunity. We do this by:
- Providing catalytic funding when and where it’s most needed.
- Increasing visibility for grassroots innovation so it can inspire and attract further support.
- Building capacity so that funded work is sustainable and scalable.
- Bridging worlds between local initiatives and global networks.
By focusing on empowerment rather than dependency, we help create lasting change that continues long after our grants have been awarded.
We run a monthly grant application cycle where people from across Africa, Asia, and other developing regions apply for support.
“Every person, regardless of background, deserves the chance to see their solution to the world’s challenges come to life. Rise Fund is here to say your vision matters, and the world is ready for it.”
Our Philosophy
We approach our work with a set of guiding beliefs:
- The Power of the Individual: Every great movement starts with a person brave enough to begin.
- Local Knowledge First: Communities are experts in their own needs and must shape their own solutions.
- Trust as a Foundation: We believe in the people we fund and stand beside them as partners, not overseers.
- Simplicity in Access: Funding processes should open doors, not create new barriers.
How we Work
We work to ensure our impact is deep, measurable, and enduring. This is how:
- Listening Before Acting: We prioritize understanding the unique needs of people and communities before offering solutions.
- Accessible Applications: Our grant process is intentionally streamlined to remove unnecessary paperwork and formality.
- Holistic Support: Funding is just the beginning. We add mentorship, advocacy, and resources that help ensure project sustainability.
- Continuous Partnership: Grantees remain part of our global network, creating a shared community of learning and collaboration.
- Measuring What Matters: We track both the tangible outcomes and the human stories that demonstrate long-term impact.
Who We Serve
Our work spans many sectors and audiences, but our heart remains with emerging changemakers:
- The individual launching their first community initiative.
- The entrepreneur building an impact-driven startup.
- The small organization bringing a big idea to underserved areas.
These changemakers may differ in scale, but they share a common thread the courage to act, the vision to solve a problem, and the dedication to see it through.
While our work to date has already impacted communities across multiple countries, our ambitions continue to grow. We envision an even larger global network of changemakers, a greater diversity of funding opportunities, and deeper partnerships that enable us to respond faster and more effectively to emerging challenges.
Our commitment is not just to provide funds, but to move the needle on how the world nurtures and supports transformative ideas.
Our Leadership Team
Olivia McAllister
Chief Executive Office
Ethan Tremblay
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Isabella Nguyen
Chief Financial Officer
Lucas Johnson
Director of Education & Individual Grants
Benjamin O'Connor
Director of Community Development Grants
Isabelle Fournier
Director of Innovation & Technology Grants
Liam MacGregor
Middle East Regional Director
Mark Reynolds
South America Regional Director
Isabelle Fournier
South America Regional Director
