Introduction
Reliance Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited and one of India’s largest corporate social-development organisations. It works across rural transformation, healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, sports, disaster management, arts and culture, environmental conservation, animal welfare and urban renewal.
Established in 2010 and led by Founder-Chairperson Nita M. Ambani, the Foundation develops programmes, supports institutions and collaborates with government agencies, nonprofit organisations, communities, technical experts and international partners.
Reliance Foundation reports that its initiatives have cumulatively touched more than 100 million people and covered approximately 98,000 villages and numerous urban locations across India.
History and Background
Reliance Foundation was established in 2010 to provide strategic direction and greater momentum to the philanthropic initiatives of Reliance Industries Limited.
The Foundation was created to address complex development challenges through integrated and sustainable programmes rather than isolated charitable interventions. Its work initially concentrated on rural development, healthcare, education and disaster response before expanding into women’s leadership, sports development, arts and culture, wildlife conservation, skilling and urban renewal.
Important milestones in its development include:
- Establishment of integrated rural-transformation programmes
- Expansion of preventive and primary healthcare services
- Development of large education and scholarship initiatives
- Creation of Reliance Foundation Youth Sports
- Launch of Reliance Foundation Young Champs
- Establishment of Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital
- Large-scale disaster and COVID-19 response
- Launch of WomenConnect and women’s leadership programmes
- Expansion of Olympic and grassroots sports support
- Launch of Vantara for animal welfare and wildlife conservation
- Creation of the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy
By 2017–18, its initiatives had reached more than 20 million people. The reported cumulative reach increased to 51 million people in 2020–21, 69.5 million in 2022–23, more than 76 million in 2023–24 and over 87 million people during 2024–25.
The Foundation’s current website reports that its cumulative reach has exceeded 100 million people.
Mission and Purpose
Reliance Foundation seeks to build a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable India by empowering vulnerable communities and creating opportunities for people to improve their lives.
Its approach reflects the philosophy of “We Care”, emphasising compassion, collaboration, community participation and measurable impact.
Its principal objectives include:
- Strengthening rural livelihoods
- Promoting sustainable agriculture
- Improving access to quality healthcare
- Expanding education and scholarship opportunities
- Empowering women and girls
- Developing leadership and livelihood skills
- Nurturing sporting talent
- Building disaster-resilient communities
- Protecting arts, culture and heritage
- Supporting environmental and animal welfare
- Improving urban spaces
- Encouraging technology-based social innovation
- Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The Foundation works with communities to identify needs, develop local action plans and create interventions that can be sustained or scaled through partnerships.
Governance and Structure
Reliance Foundation is led by Founder-Chairperson Nita M. Ambani, who provides strategic direction to its philanthropic, educational, cultural and sporting initiatives.
Its governance and implementation structure includes professional teams with expertise in:
- Rural development
- Agriculture
- Public health
- Education
- Sports management
- Disaster risk reduction
- Women’s empowerment
- Arts and culture
- Wildlife care
- Programme monitoring
- Finance and compliance
- Partnerships and communications
The Foundation publishes annual reports presenting information about its programmes, partnerships, reach and financial activities.
Its programmes are implemented through a combination of:
- Direct service delivery
- Community-based institutions
- Reliance-supported facilities
- Grants to selected organisations
- Partnerships with nonprofit organisations
- Collaboration with governments
- Academic and research partnerships
- International cooperation
- Technology platforms
- Volunteer engagement
Role of the Founder-Chairperson
Nita M. Ambani established Reliance Foundation with the objective of creating sustainable and inclusive social-development solutions.
Her leadership has been particularly associated with:
- Education and scholarships
- Healthcare
- Grassroots and elite sports
- Women’s leadership
- Indian arts and cultural heritage
- Wildlife care
- Urban cultural infrastructure
- International sporting partnerships
She also founded the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and has played a prominent role in advancing India’s Olympic movement.
Funding Mechanisms
Reliance Foundation receives financial support principally through the philanthropic and corporate social responsibility commitments of Reliance Industries Limited and associated Reliance entities.
Resources may also be mobilised through:
- Strategic partnerships
- Co-funded initiatives
- Government collaboration
- International foundations
- Corporate partners
- Technical institutions
- Multilateral and United Nations partnerships
The Foundation allocates resources to programmes, institutions, scholarships, grants, fellowships, humanitarian response and community infrastructure.
Its funding is not generally available through a permanently open, unsolicited grant programme. Opportunities are usually announced through specific calls for applications, scholarships, fellowships, accelerators or partnerships.
Funding and Grants
Reliance Foundation provides financial support through several mechanisms, including:
- Undergraduate scholarships
- Postgraduate scholarships
- Athlete scholarships
- Grants to nonprofit organisations
- Women-led development grants
- Digital inclusion accelerators
- Fellowships
- Community-development partnerships
- Disaster-response funding
- Sports infrastructure grants
- Research and institutional partnerships
Applicants should review each programme’s official guidelines because eligibility, funding amounts, deadlines and selection processes differ.
Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
The Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships support up to 5,000 first-year undergraduate students annually.
The programme is open to students pursuing any recognised academic stream in India. Selection is based on merit and financial need.
For the 2026–27 academic cycle, published conditions include:
- Applicants must be enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate degree
- Household income must be below ₹15 lakh annually
- Students from any academic stream can apply
- Girls and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Selected students can receive up to ₹2 lakh over the duration of their degree
In addition to financial assistance, scholars gain access to networking and alumni opportunities.
Postgraduate Scholarships
Reliance Foundation also provides postgraduate scholarships in selected future-focused disciplines.
The programme has historically supported students in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer science
- Mathematics and computing
- Electrical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Renewable and new energy
- Materials science
- Life sciences
Support may combine financial assistance with mentoring, professional development and access to a community of scholars.
SheConnects Digital Accelerator
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator: India supports proven solutions that improve women’s and girls’ participation in the digital world.
The initiative is founded by Reliance Foundation, supported by the Gates Foundation and managed by the GSMA Foundation.
Its focus areas include:
- Digital financial inclusion
- Health
- Agriculture
- Education
- Livelihoods
- Behaviour-change communication
- Cyber safety
- Innovative digital tools
Eligible nonprofit organisations registered and operating in India may request between ₹85 lakh and ₹4.2 crore for projects lasting between 15 and 18 months.
Selected organisations also receive technical assistance, bootcamps, monitoring and evaluation support, learning exchanges and increased visibility.
WomenLeaders India Fellowship
The WomenLeaders India Fellowship, supported by Reliance Foundation with technical inputs from Vital Voices, develops women leaders from India’s social sector.
The ten-month programme includes:
- Leadership training
- Mentoring
- Peer learning
- Project development
- Networking
- Increased visibility
- Access to national and international experts
The first two cohorts supported a total of 100 women leaders, with 50 fellows in each cohort.
Fellows have worked across areas such as:
- Rural transformation
- Education
- Climate resilience
- Livelihoods
- Sports for development
- Arts and culture
- Social entrepreneurship
Selected projects may receive additional grant support to expand their work.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Rural Transformation
Reliance Foundation’s Rural Transformation programme strengthens rural communities through sustainable agriculture, water security, livelihoods, nutrition, women’s empowerment and local governance.
Its work includes:
- Climate-resilient agriculture
- Farmer training
- Water harvesting
- Fisheries support
- Livestock management
- Digital agricultural information
- Community institutions
- Market linkages
- Women-led enterprises
- Access to government schemes
- Nutrition-sensitive agriculture
The programme works at the block and village levels, using local assessments and community-developed action plans.
Reliance Foundation reports that its rural-transformation work has cumulatively reached more than 23.5 million people.
During 2024–25, more than 42,500 hectares of farmland were brought under improved agricultural practices. Community-based initiatives enhanced water-harvesting capacity by nearly 16.7 million cubic metres.
Information Services for Farmers and Fishers
Reliance Foundation provides information and advisory services to farmers, fishers and livestock owners.
Support can include:
- Weather forecasts
- Crop advisories
- Pest and disease information
- Fishing-zone guidance
- Market prices
- Livestock advice
- Government scheme information
- Disaster warnings
Digital and telephone-based services help rural producers make timely decisions and reduce livelihood risks.
Health
Reliance Foundation’s healthcare initiatives have reached nearly 14 million people.
The Foundation’s integrated health model includes:
- Preventive healthcare
- Primary healthcare
- Mobile Medical Units
- Static Medical Units
- Community health centres
- Health camps
- Specialist referrals
- Teleconsultations
- Tertiary and quaternary care
- Nutrition services
- Vision care
- Cancer screening
Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital
Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai provides multidisciplinary medical care.
Its services include:
- Emergency care
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Women’s health
- Organ transplantation
- Diagnostic services
- Surgical care
- Medical research
The hospital also supports outreach, subsidised treatment and referrals for vulnerable patients.
Health Outreach Initiatives
Reliance Foundation operates Mobile Medical Units, Static Medical Units, community facilities and health camps across several states.
Its outreach model provides free primary and preventive healthcare to rural residents, people living in informal urban settlements and other underserved groups.
Interventions address:
- Anaemia
- Childhood malnutrition
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Preventable blindness
- Maternal health
- Non-communicable diseases
During 2024–25, the outreach programme delivered more than 257,500 free consultations, enrolled over 50,000 new families and conducted more than 120,000 health screenings.
Reliance Foundation Drishti
Reliance Foundation Drishti focuses on preventing avoidable blindness and supporting visually impaired people.
Activities include:
- Vision screening
- Eye-care services
- Corneal transplantation support
- Awareness programmes
- Braille publications
- Assistance for people with visual disabilities
Education
Reliance Foundation’s education programmes have reached more than 5.2 million people.
Its educational work includes:
- Early childhood development
- School education
- Teacher development
- Scholarships
- Digital learning
- Higher education
- Skills development
- Educational institutions
- Career support
The Foundation has committed to supporting 50,000 scholars over ten years.
Reliance Foundation Schools
Reliance Foundation operates and supports schools that seek to provide quality education, modern facilities and opportunities for holistic student development.
Its educational approach covers:
- Academic learning
- Sports
- Arts
- Leadership
- Technology
- Social responsibility
- Inclusive education
Jio Institute
Jio Institute is a multidisciplinary higher-education institution established with the aim of developing future leaders, advancing research and creating international academic collaborations.
Its programmes focus on emerging disciplines and contemporary professional skills.
Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy
The Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy provides future-ready learning, mentoring and employment support.
Its programmes are designed to help young people develop:
- Digital skills
- Employability skills
- Industry knowledge
- Communication
- Career readiness
- Technical capabilities
- Access to job opportunities
Sports for Development
Reliance Foundation’s Sports for Development programmes have reached more than 23 million children and young people.
Its work seeks to:
- Increase grassroots participation
- Develop sporting talent
- Train coaches
- Improve infrastructure
- Support female athletes
- Promote school and college sports
- Strengthen the Olympic movement
- Provide sports science and medical support
Reliance Foundation Youth Sports
Reliance Foundation Youth Sports was launched in 2016 as a nationwide platform for school and college athletes.
More than nine million students across 14,000 schools and colleges in 26 states and Union Territories have participated.
The programme provides:
- Inter-institutional competitions
- Talent scouting
- Coaching
- Teacher training
- Equipment
- Infrastructure support
- Athlete development
Reliance Foundation Young Champs
Reliance Foundation Young Champs was launched in 2015 to identify and develop talented young footballers.
Selected players receive fully funded support covering:
- Residential facilities
- Education
- Coaching
- Nutrition
- Sports science
- Medical care
- Personal development
- Competitive exposure
Players from the academy have progressed to professional Indian football clubs.
Olympic Athlete Support
Reliance Foundation supports athletes across more than ten Olympic sports.
Assistance may include:
- Scholarships
- Coaching
- Sports science
- Sports medicine
- Equipment
- Technology
- International exposure
- Education
- Competition support
The Foundation has supported more than 200 athletes through its Olympic initiatives and partnerships.
Women’s Empowerment
Reliance Foundation’s women’s empowerment work focuses on leadership, economic opportunities, digital inclusion and community participation.
Initiatives include:
- WomenLeaders India Fellowship
- WomenConnect India Challenge
- SheConnects Digital Accelerator
- Self-help groups
- Financial literacy
- Digital skills
- Enterprise development
- Rural livelihoods
- Leadership mentoring
Programmes seek to position women as decision-makers, entrepreneurs and agents of community change.
Disaster Management
Reliance Foundation’s Disaster Management programme supports vulnerable communities before, during and after emergencies.
Its approach includes:
- Disaster preparedness
- Early-warning information
- Emergency response
- Food and water assistance
- Medical services
- Relief supplies
- Livelihood restoration
- Infrastructure recovery
- Community resilience
- Coordination with government agencies
The Foundation responds to floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts and other emergencies across India.
COVID-19 Response
Reliance Foundation undertook a large-scale humanitarian response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reported interventions included:
- Distribution of 85 million meals through Mission Anna Seva
- Production of medical-grade oxygen
- Support for up to 100,000 patients daily through oxygen provision
- Distribution of more than 13 million masks
- Free fuel for over 70,000 emergency-response vehicles
- Continued primary healthcare through Mobile Medical Units
- Hospital and isolation infrastructure
Arts, Culture and Heritage
Reliance Foundation supports Indian artists, craftspeople, cultural traditions and heritage.
Activities include:
- Cultural performances
- Support for traditional crafts
- Artist platforms
- Heritage conservation
- Public exhibitions
- Cultural education
- International artistic exchange
Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai provides a platform for Indian and international art, theatre, music, dance and cultural exchange.
It includes performance spaces, exhibition areas and programmes supporting artists and audiences.
Swadesh
Swadesh showcases and supports India’s traditional arts and crafts.
The initiative promotes:
- Artisan livelihoods
- Traditional knowledge
- Indian craftsmanship
- Cultural preservation
- Market access
- Public appreciation of heritage
Environment and Animal Welfare
Reliance Foundation works on environmental sustainability, wildlife care and animal welfare through Vantara and community-based environmental programmes.
Reported outcomes include:
- More than 150,000 animals rescued
- Care for over 2,000 species
- A dedicated workforce of more than 3,500 people, including veterinary professionals
Vantara
Vantara is a wildlife rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and conservation initiative.
Its facilities and programmes support:
- Wildlife rescue
- Veterinary treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Species conservation
- Scientific animal care
- Habitat development
- National and international partnerships
- Training and research
Urban Renewal
Reliance Foundation’s urban-renewal initiatives improve public spaces, civic infrastructure and community experiences.
Projects may include:
- Public-space restoration
- Beautification
- Cleanliness campaigns
- Cultural infrastructure
- Sustainable urban facilities
- Support during major public gatherings
Its Teerth Yatri Seva initiative supported pilgrims and service systems during Maha Kumbh 2025.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
National Reach
Reliance Foundation reports that its programmes have touched more than 100 million people across approximately 98,000 villages and urban locations.
Its work covers all Indian states and Union Territories through direct programmes, partnerships and institutional initiatives.
Water Security
Rural programmes have created and restored water-harvesting structures, supported watershed management and improved access to water for farming and household use.
By 2018–19, the Foundation reported creating approximately 86 billion litres of water-harvesting capacity, benefiting hundreds of villages.
Agricultural Resilience
Farmer training and advisories have improved crop planning, input management, water efficiency and climate preparedness.
The Foundation also supports fishers, livestock owners and rural enterprises through information, training and market connections.
Scholarship Support
The undergraduate programme selects up to 5,000 scholars each year, while postgraduate scholarships support students in future-oriented disciplines.
Financial assistance, mentoring and alumni networks help students complete their education and develop professional careers.
Women’s Leadership
The first two WomenLeaders India Fellowship cohorts supported 100 social-sector leaders. The Foundation reports that large majorities of participants maintained or strengthened their confidence as leaders following the programme.
Healthcare Access
Mobile and community health services have provided millions of consultations to people who face geographical or financial barriers to healthcare.
Preventive screening enables earlier identification of anaemia, malnutrition, diabetes, hypertension and cancer risks.
Youth Sports Participation
Reliance Foundation’s sports initiatives have expanded access to football, basketball, athletics and other sports at grassroots and elite levels.
The Junior NBA collaboration alone has benefited more than 13 million children across over 13,000 schools.
Disaster Relief
During major disasters, the Foundation has provided food, medical care, emergency supplies, information and recovery support.
In 2021–22, its Disaster Management programme assisted more than 170,000 people affected by eight disasters.
Conclusion
Reliance Foundation is a major Indian philanthropic organisation addressing development challenges through integrated programmes, institutions, grants, scholarships and partnerships.
Since 2010, it has expanded its work across rural transformation, healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, sports, disaster management, arts and culture, environmental conservation, animal welfare and urban renewal.
Its funding programmes include undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, athlete support, women’s leadership fellowships and grants for nonprofit organisations developing digital-inclusion solutions. However, the Foundation does not maintain a permanently open general grant programme; opportunities are announced through specific initiatives.
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