How We Work

Addressing barriers to women’s economic empowerment while creating opportunities for income security requires a collaborative effort from a multitude of government agencies, nonprofit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, and individual donors who are all contributing to this initiative.

At the Rising Lotus Foundation our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by equipping women with the skills and resources necessary to generate a sustainable income.

We do this by partnering with global organizations whose mission is focused on women’s economic empowerment.

The Rising Lotus Foundation does not accept grant proposals. Instead, we identify and research organizations to ensure grants will be used efficiently to deliver the highest impact. We have ongoing communications with these organizations and monitor program updates.

Our Impact

Education and Resources

Educating women on financial literacy is a powerful tool for creating income security. Financial knowledge combined with access to financial resources enhance women’s opportunities for employment, more productive agribusinesses, and successful entrepreneurial ventures.

Our goal is to lift 300 women and their families out of poverty every year.

Entrepreneurship Programs

This two-year transformative program is designed for young women aged 18-24. They will learn skills and have access to resources to provide the opportunity to earn a living wage. This can lift them and their families out of poverty. This program includes:

Family engagement to help transform gender and social norms

Access to financial services

Links to health services

Entrepreneurship training

Agribusiness Programs

Below are examples of programs that The Rising Lotus Foundation funds.

EXAMPLES

A 9-year-old Ugandan girl wrote a letter detailing how her life was transformed by the gift of a dairy goat. She described how her goat provided nutritious milk for her family, extra milk was sold to build a new house with a steel roof that didn’t leak, and she could afford to attend school, a dream of hers.

The founders of the Rising Lotus Foundation have donated hundreds of livestock since 2000. We believe farm animals, combined with training in their care, provide immediate nutrition and economic opportunity. Business training and cooperatives ensure ongoing income generation for families and communities.

Dairy Goats

A dairy goat easily adapts to various climates and doesn’t need much land to live on. They produce several gallons of easy-to-digest milk per day. A dairy goat:

Provides nutritious milk which can be used to make cheese and butter
Stimulates crop yields using goat manure
Boosts income through the sale of extra milk
Produces 2-3 kids a year, which can help to grow the dairy business or be sold for income

Honeybees

Each honeybee gift includes a beehive, box, and training. Groups of women work together to manage hundreds of hives. Honeybees:

Boost income through sales of honey, wax, and pollen
Stimulate crop yield on small farms through pollination
Support the environment by increasing the population of honeybees

Flock of Chicks

A flock of chicks includes 10 to 50 chicks along with training on their care. They require little space and can eat scraps. A hen:

Lays up to 200 eggs a year providing protein for nourishment
Increases income through the sale of extra eggs and offspring
Stimulates garden growth by using manure as a fertilizer

How many people will you lift out of poverty this year?

If you are interested in getting involved or supporting partner organizations, please reach out to Loreal LeGate, Co-founder and CEO, Rising Lotus Foundation at Loreal@risinglotusfd.org.