Founded in 2010, Reliance Foundation was set up to drive the various
philanthropic initiatives of RIL.
Throughout our journey, we have made a difference to the lives of
across India
From the remotest villages and towns to metropolitan cities, we have nurtured stories of hope, resilience, and transformation.
We are creating change in the areas of Rural Transformation, Health, Education, Sports for Development, Disaster Response, Arts, Culture & Heritage, and Urban Renewal.
Partnerships
Reliance Foundation has also established strategic partnerships with
organizations that have the technical expertise and experience to
undertake various programmes in the identified focus areas of operation.
Partnered with Indian Olympic Association for Olympics, Commonwealth and Asian Games to make India a global sporting powerhouse
Partnered with the Athletics Federation of India to support the holistic development of Indian athletes and grow India’s Olympic movement
Partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to empower one million women entrepreneurs across India to help them achieve an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh
Partnered with Vital Voices to launch the WomenLead India Fellowship to nurture women leaders in the social sector
Partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the WomenConnect Challenge India to bridge the gender divide in India
Rural Transformation
Our Rural Transformation initiatives address critical development indicators such as rural livelihoods, water, food and nutrition,
women’s empowerment, and access to knowledge resources. Our initiatives have so far reached 20.27+ million people.
- Bharat-India Jodo (BIJ) aims to bridge the social, developmental, and economic gap between rural and urban India.
- Empowering farmers: We support market linkages for farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
- Reliance Nutrition Gardens (RNG): These small patches of land are cultivated to grow fruits and vegetables in a house or community setup like an Anganwadi. This helps households and communities get nutritious food at a low cost.
- Empowering women: We work with Self Help Groups (SHGs) to help build the leadership and entrepreneurial skills of women and give them increased access to economic opportunities.
~28.5 million
Enhanced water harvesting
capacity for FY2023-24
(in cubic metres)
39,000+
Hectares farmland brought under
improved farming practices
(FY2023-24)
55,500+
Villages empowered
RF helps women farmers improve their livelihoods
RFIS in Sehore has supported women farmers of SHGs registered under Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihood Mission (MPRLM) to fulfil the agenda of the state government’s organic farming mission. These women farmers are availing Reliance Foundation digital services through VMS, helpline number, WhatsApp groups and JioMeet app by attending and participating in various programmes and receiving useful advisories that they are applying on field to make their livelihood profitable and sustainable.
Durga Bai Malviya grew chilli plants on ten decimals of land. Her chilli crop was infected, and as result, the plant began to wilt. She was looking for information about organic remedy and called Reliance Foundation’s helpline number. She also posted pictures of her infected plants on the WhatsApp group called “Reliance Foundation – sustainable organic farming – Sehore” to discuss her issues. With expert advice on how to save her infected plants, Durga Bai not only sold her chilli produce, but also earned a profit.
Women farmers like Durga Bai and Manta Parmar, who farms brinjal plants, share, “Since we have adopted organic farming, our input costs have decreased. We regularly take information and advice from Reliance Foundation's helpline and feel that we are more self-reliant compared to before. Our family has also started supporting us in our endeavour. Our financial conditions have changed and we would like to thank Reliance Foundation for making our livelihood sustainable.”
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Health
We are committed to enhancing India’s healthcare ecosystem through community health initiatives and health outreach to
vulnerable communities. We also strive to make primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services accessible to all. During
the COVID-19 pandemic, Reliance launched a multi-pronged response by leveraging infrastructure and resources.
Our “Health for All” initiatives include:
ASMAN – Project Alliance for Saving Mothers and Newborns: First-of-a-kind project in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSD India, Tata Trusts, and USAID
Health Outreach Programme: Providing medical care through Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), Static Medical Units (SMUs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and health camps
Access to comprehensive healthcare services through Motikhavdi Medical Centre in Jamnagar and Community Care Centre & Reliance AIDS Care Hospital in Gujarat
Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital & Research Centre is a 345-bed quartenary care hospital in Mumbai. Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Lodhivali is an 82-bed, state-of-the-art hospital that caters to an industrial and rural population in Raigad, Maharashtra.
9.29 million+
People impacted
through health initiatives
21,200+
Corneal transplants supported under
Drishti since 2004
Eight-month-old baby beats complex heart syndrome
Eight-month baby Malhar Karkare had severe shortage of oxygen in his blood due to Blue Baby Syndrome. When medications were not effective as desired, a complex heart surgery was performed. Baby Malhar was convalescing well for 6-8 hours following the procedure when he developed sudden cardiac arrest. All conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures began immediately and the chest cavity was opened for direct internal cardiac massage, which continued for 20 minutes with medical support.
Malhar bounced back and began to make a steady recovery. He was discharged without any neurological issues and with normal investigative reports. He is now on his way to being a spirited toddler.
A team led by Dr Shivaprakash Krishnanaik, Director, Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at RFH provided the medical care to Malhar.
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Education
We aim to provide opportunities for the young to develop themselves into future citizens who contribute to society.
- Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS) and NMAJS Early Years Campus: Setting new standards in teaching and learning
- NMAJS features a state-of-the-art campus, flexible learning spaces, and provisions for collaborative work and personalised instruction
- Education and Sports for All: Providing access to quality education and sports for development in India
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in India: Aiming to build evidence-based innovative models to improve early childhood development outcomes
- Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS): A K-12 co-educational International Day School in Mumbai that offers world-class educational opportunities
- Reliance Foundation Teacher Awards: Recognising and celebrating India’s teachers and motivating them to strive for excellence
- Reliance Foundation Scholarships: Reliance has been awarding scholarships to meritorious students for over 25 years, significantly impacting over 23,000 young individuals across India.
- 48% Reliance Foundation Scholars are girls.
- Jio Institute: A multi-disciplinary higher education institute dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.
- Offers three postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Digital Media & Marketing Communications and Sports Management.
23,000+
Young individuals across India positively
impacted by Reliance scholarships
48%
Reliance Foundation Scholars
are girls
2,000+
Institutions represented
Reliance Foundation Scholarships helps Sumitra Malagi realise her dreams
Sumitra Malagi grew up in a modest background and knew early on that education was the only means of achieving success. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Sumitra worked as an Associate Network Infrastructure Engineer but soon realised that she needed to pursue a research-based Master’s programme in order to develop her skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI). She quit her job and decided to pursue a Master’s degree at IIT Hyderabad. That’s when she came to know about the Reliance Foundation Scholarships.
Sumitra applied and was interviewed for the Reliance Foundation Scholarship. She impressed the panellists with her excellent communication skills and sound understanding of AI/ML. “I was enthralled when I researched about my interviewer, I ecstatically told myself that I was interviewed by one of the most eminent data scientists of India (Dr. Shailesh Kumar) and that was quite an experience in itself and that I should not feel disheartened if I am not selected!”.
Much to Sumitra’s delight, she was awarded a scholarship of Rs 6 lakhs for the duration of her PG programme. Sumitra speaks enthusiastically about the scholarship programme’s engagement and development sessions: “There are specially curated masterclasses and fireside chats throughout your tenure. You can also suggest topics which you want organised. The sessions are a mixture of inspiration, guidance and education. For instance, one of the webinars was on how AI is being used at Jio, it gave us a glimpse of real-world application of concepts we were studying as part of our courses”.
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Sports
Reliance Foundation’s Sports for Development programme focuses on strengthening the sports ecosystem in India, beginning at the grassroots. This initiative aims to promote holistic development and support the well-being of various stakeholders within Indian sports. Our initiatives offer a platform for budding athletes across India to develop their talent and prowess in various sporting segments.
- Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS)
- Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC)
- Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA
- Reliance Foundation Olympics Initiatives
Sports initiatives include:
22.9+million
Children and youth positively impacted in India over the last 10 years
RFYC graduate Muhammed Nemil opens goal tally for FC Goa in style
Inducted into RFYC when he was 12, Muhammed Nemil quickly garnered attention and accolades with his dribbling, shooting, and goal count, and he also assists while at home and away.
Nemil’s achievements on the field put the Kozhikode youth on the radar of ISL clubs; he was signed on by FC Goa after graduating from RFYC. Nemil also earned an opportunity to train at the Marcet High Performance Academy in Spain, which eventually led him to Barcelona’s FE Grama’s U-19 team.
Upon his return to FC Goa, Nemil netted his first goal for the club in style at the Durand Cup 2021, demonstrating his trademark ability to outwit defence with short bursts of speed and use of both feet.
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Women Empowerment
Across our core areas, we strive to support women across India to achieve their potential and gain agency over decisions that affect their lives.
We do this through interventions including leadership capacity building, digital literacy, employment and skills development, improving women’s health, and enhancing women’s opportunities in education, sports and arts.
- Partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: We aim to empower one million women entrepreneurs across India to achieve an annual income of at least Rs 1 lakh, by strengthening production across sectors, value addition and marketing, and creating an enabling work environment.
- WomenLead India Fellowship: Together with Vital Voices, we are empowering women leaders in the social sector by investing in changemakers taking on the world's greatest challenges.
- Empowering women in rural communities: We enable women-inclusive development planning and decision-making; strengthen entrepreneurial and livelihood capabilities for women; and enhance access to basic entitlements for social security.
- WomenConnect Challenge India: Working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), we aim to bridge the gender digital divide in India by facilitating women’s access to and use of digital technology to drive positive health, education and livelihood outcomes for themselves and their families.
- Her Circle – A digital platform for women: Launched by RF Founder-Chairperson Nita M Ambani, Her Circle caters to the rapidly rising aspirations, ambitions, dreams and competencies of women from all social backgrounds.
- Project ASMAN: Since inception, 750,000+ mothers and new-borns were reached.
- Public Health Outreach programmes: Women and adolescent girls are screened for anaemia across various rural locations.
- Reliance Nutrition Gardens (RNGs): We help women in rural communities achieve nutritional security by working with them to set up RNGs on unused lands and waste lands.These RNGs have helped in reducing anaemia among rural women.
- Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship (DAS): Established in 1996, this programme provides financial support to meritorious students to complete their higher education. Of the 12,776 students who have received the scholarship, approximately 50% are girls.
- Education and Sports for All: We work closely with NGOs working to enhance education and/or sports for girls. We also support girls in communities around Reliance’s business locations to help them realise their potential.
Numerous initiatives under Reliance Foundation’s Sports for Development programme are designed to encourage women and girls in sports.
These include Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS), Reliance Foundation Olympics Initiative—under which Lovlina Borgohain, Jyothi Yarraji, Manika Batra, and Tilottama Sen secured places at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Partnership with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and the RF Junior NBA Programme.
In 2023, Reliance Foundation’s Education and Sports for All (ESA) Day, observed every April to motivate children to participate in sports, was dedicated specifically to women and girls, aiming to encourage girls to participate in sports.
860,000+
Women
empowered
592 million+
Women
reached by Her Circle
since 2021
500,000+
Women impacted
through digital inclusion projects since 2020
>50%
Women part of
RF’s Olympics Scholarship
Programme in 2023
From struggle to success: The journey of Sukhbati Pal from Madhya Pradesh
Sukhbati Pal, aged 56, lives with her husband in Shivpuri village of Tikamgarh District, Madhya Pradesh. They own only 0.5 acres of agricultural land without irrigation facilities.
Limited farm production compelled them to rely on wage labour, leaving them vulnerable due to age and health conditions. They struggled to meet household and health expenses with their inadequate income.
A glimmer of hope emerged when Pal started goat rearing. Although she had lost a couple of goats in the past, she regained confidence in 2023 after attending a ‘Pashu Pathshala’ (animal school), organised in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry department.
Pal learned scientific goat management and, with regular guidance from community support persons, increased her herd size from three to eleven goats.
She is now fully engaged in goat rearing and expects to earn an average annual income of Rs 45,000 from the sale of goats.
Sukhbati Pal is now a role model for other women in her village.
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Disaster Response
We provide a quick response to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. This includes early warnings, mobilisation and distribution of relief
materials, and supporting local governments to help communities affected by disasters, including post-disaster relief.
- Responded to 7 disasters across 13 states
- 91,000+ individuals received short/mid-term humanitarian support
- 94,000+ saplings planted in eight states to promote nature-based solutions
*Numbers as of FY2023-24
- ~5,500 livestock treated and saved from flood related morbidities and mortality
- 1,800+ volunteers supported the Disaster Management programme
- 1.7+ million vulnerable individuals reached through early warning advisories
20.18+ million
People supported
RF's timely advisories come to the aid of those affected by floods in Kerala
During the 2021 Kerala floods, Reliance Foundation worked in partnership with NGOs including Rajiv Gandhi Samskarika Vedi & Charitable Trust, Kottayam Social Service Society and Bodhana to help those affected by the flood. Over 72,000 farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen received advisories on heavy rainfall, weather based agro-advisories and post flood information on livestock health and disease management, precautionary health care and the application process to avail Government compensation in four districts.
“My house was two feet higher from the ground and still flooded. The only source of income is the old age pension provided by the government. We are grateful for the timely service from Reliance Foundation to us and to this village," said Thampikutty V N from Edakkunnam Village, Kottayam District, Kerala.
To learn more visit: www.reliancefoundation.org
Arts, Culture & Heritage
We support and promote India's art, culture and heritage. We also help in the revival and upkeep of public spaces.
Urban Renewal
Urban renewal spans massive modernisation initiatives that enrich public spaces to improve the quality of life and infrastructure in cities.
Vantara
Vantara (Star of the Forest) is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, focusing on the rescue, treatment, care, and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad.
Launched by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, Vantara is spread over 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat.
Vantara has converted a sprawling 3,000-acre space into a jungle-like environment that mimics the natural, enriching, lush and verdant habitat for the rescued species to thrive in.
The Vantara initiative aims to be one of the leading contributors to conservation efforts globally.
The Vantara initiative has been conceptualised and birthed under the passionate leadership of Anant Ambani, Director on the boards of RIL and Reliance Foundation.
“Vantara is a combination of the age-old ethical value of compassion with the excellence of modern scientific and technological professionalism. I see Jeev Seva (animal care) as a seva towards the Almighty as well as humanity." - Anant Ambani
Animal conservation and care
Vantara is focused on creating best-in-class animal conservation and care practices, including state-of-the-art healthcare, hospitals, and research and academic centres. Within its programmes, Vantara also focuses on integrating advanced research and collaboration with reputed international universities and organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).
Vantara has a centre for elephants and facilities for several other large and small species including lions and tigers, crocodiles, leopards, etc.
Facilities
Over 2,000 animals across 43 species are under the care of the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
Elephant Centre
- A 25,000 sq. ft. elephant hospital
- Special kitchen of over 14,000 sq. ft.
Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre
- One lakh sq. ft. hospital and medical centre
- More than 2,100 staff
- Rescued ~200 leopards and 1,000+ crocodiles