R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) impact investment fund deploying catalytic capital ($5,000–$35,000) to 30+ early-stage artisan enterprises across emerging markets, targeting women's empowerment, sustainability, and climate change while reinvesting returns into vocational training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund does
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) impact investment fund that deploys catalytic capital to early-stage artisan enterprises in emerging markets. Created by Realize Impact and managed by Sprout Enterprise® (an initiative of Friends of Tilonia, Inc.), the fund operates with 1–10 employees and is led by Director Ellen Fish. Its core offering consists of two products: (1) impact investments of $15,000–$35,000 (typically revenue-based, with capital return expected within 3–5 years) to enterprises at Stages 3–4 of development for working capital, asset purchases, or production financing tied to international buyers; and (2) Market Development Grants of $5,000–$10,000 to enterprises at Stages 2–3, bundled with mentoring, coaching, and networking through partner organizations. An Enterprise Development Framework aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals underpins the underwriting approach.
The fund's portfolio spans 30+ artisan enterprises across Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East — including Avani, Bawa Hope, Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, Bibi Hanum, Colectivo 1050º, Du Anyam, Échale, Fair Weave, FECCEG, Fuchsia Shoes, Iluméxico, Itza Wood, Hadithi Crafts, Karghewale, Polly & Other Stories, Studio Coppre, Torajamelo, WomenWeave, and Xaquixe, among others — with investments targeting women's empowerment, sustainability, and climate change themes. Capital sources include tax-deductible contributions, donor advised funds (DAFs), private foundation grants (Rucker/Gibbs Family Charitable Fund, Marvin and Sylvia Rubin Family Foundation), and co-investment arrangements with Beneficial Returns, IIX Growth Fund, Acumen Angels, and Upaya Social Ventures.
The fund's business model is charitable capital deployment rather than commercial revenue generation: contributions are solicited via the website (riseartisan.fund), and investment returns are recycled to support vocational training and education for women and girls in rural communities. The fund was recognized as one of the Transformative 25 Funds by Integrated Capital Investing in both 2021 and 2022, is a member of Collective Action for Just Finance, and markets through impact reports, podcast sponsorship (Social Impact Pulse), trade shows (Shoppe Object, IFAM, SOCAP), and earned media in Impact Entrepreneur Magazine.
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund
- Legal name
- Friends of Tilonia, Inc.
- Website
- https://riseartisan.fund
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) impact investment fund deploying catalytic capital ($5,000–$35,000) to 30+ early-stage artisan enterprises across emerging markets, targeting women's empowerment, sustainability, and climate change while reinvesting returns into vocational training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Impact Investing / Social Finance
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gender Lens / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Funds (FSANAJAM), Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Catalytic Capital Deployment: The fund deploys a range of investment vehicles from grants to revenue-based equity investments while seeking a return of capital for further investment, creating a reinvestment cycle that multiplies the catalytic impact of philanthropic capital. The fund creates twofold impact: returns support vocational training and education for women and girls in rural communities in emerging markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Revenue-based investments with capital return within 3-5 years |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Market Development Grants for marketing, product development or production |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a charitable impact-investment fund that deploys catalytic capital to early-stage artisan enterprises in emerging markets. It offers revenue-based investments of $15,000 to $35,000 for enterprises at stages 3–4 of development and Market Development Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 for stages 2–3, paired with mentoring, coaching, and networking support. Capital is sourced from donor-advised funds, private foundations, and direct charitable contributions, and returns are recycled to support vocational training and education for women and girls in rural communities.
Product overview
The R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is an impact investment fund that deploys catalytic capital to early-stage artisan enterprises in emerging markets. The fund operates as a unified offering with two primary mechanisms: (1) impact investments of $15,000-$35,000 for enterprises at stages 3-4 of development, providing working capital, asset purchases, or production financing for international buyers; and (2) Market Development Grants of $5,000-$10,000 for enterprises at stages 2-3 seeking to increase international sales. The fund supports a portfolio of 30+ artisan enterprises across diverse regions including India, Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Chile, targeting women's empowerment, sustainability, and climate change impact themes. Created by Realize Impact and managed by Sprout Enterprise®, the fund seeks return of capital for reinvestment, creating a cycle that multiplies philanthropic impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund (Impact Investment Fund) An impact-investment fund that provides catalytic capital to early-stage artisan enterprises in emerging markets, offering investment vehicles ranging from grants to revenue-based equity investments targeting women's empowerment, sustainability, and climate change impact themes.
- Impact Investment Portfolio A portfolio of 30+ artisan enterprises across multiple countries receiving catalytic capital investments of $15,000 to $35,000 to build effective sales distribution, efficient operations, and timely financial reporting, with expected capital return within 3–5 years.
- Market Development Grants Program Grant program providing $5,000 to $10,000 to artisan enterprises for strategic market development investments in international marketing and business development, paired with mentoring, coaching, and networking support; targets enterprises at stages 2–3 of development.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 250,000 housing solutions delivered by Échale, benefiting over 1 million people
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund
Customer profileNamed customers34 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Sprout Enterprise®coreSprout Enterprise® is a network of artisans, designers and entrepreneurs creating sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. The fund is managed by Sprout Enterprise®, an initiative of Friends of Tilonia, Inc. Sprout Enterprise® connects artisan enterprises to new markets and provides support needed to ensure enterprises are successful and sustainable.
- Realize ImpactcoreRealize Impact helps make impact investing simple by knowing how to make impact investments, create impact, and harvest investment returns. The R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund was created by Realize Impact and Sprout Enterprise®.
- ByHand ConsultingflagshipByHand Consulting is a boutique consulting firm which creates marketing strategies to increase sales for global artisan enterprises, develops business coaching programs for social entrepreneurs, and forms sourcing partnerships to bring innovative handmade products to market. Co-founded by Karen Gibbs, the firm partners with R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund to implement the Market Development Grant Program.
- Powered by PeopleflagshipPowered by People provides a marketplace platform and mobile digital tools that foster buyer confidence and empower ethical producers and brands worldwide. Partners with R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund to implement the Market Development Grant Program.
- Trade+ImpactflagshipTrade+Impact partners with R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund to implement the Market Development Grant Program supporting artisan enterprises around the world.
- Savanna BasketsminorSavanna Baskets works with over 700 weavers from Bolgatanga in northern Ghana who produce baskets from veta vera grass. Received a 2023 Market Development Grant from R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund.
- BIDUKminorBIDUK is seeking investors to extend its lending program to additional enterprises. Mentioned on R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund's Women's Empowerment page as a portfolio-related organization.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kiva: Global crowdfunding platform for microloans to underbanked entrepreneurs. Operates at vastly larger scale with crowdfunding-driven capital, but shares catalytic-capital and emerging-market artisan-adjacent exposure.
- Whole Planet Foundation: Philanthropic foundation of Whole Foods Market funding microenterprise in developing communities. Comparable charitable/foundation structure and artisan/SME microfinance overlap.
- Acumen: Large established impact investor focused on poverty alleviation through patient capital in South Asia and East Africa. Overlapping artisan and SME exposure but with significantly larger AUM and broader mandate.
- Impact Investment Exchange (IIX): Impact investing platform operating IIX Growth Fund and Impact Partners; co-invested with R.I.S.E. in Fuchsia Shoes and runs gender-lens investment products across South/Southeast Asia.
Direct peers
- Pomona Impact: Early-stage impact investor in social enterprises serving low-income communities; comparable ticket sizes, SME focus, and use of revenue-based and catalytic capital.
- Beneficial Returns: Impact investment manager focused on loans to enterprises serving low-income communities; co-invests with R.I.S.E. in Du Anyam, Échale, FECCEG, and Ilumémexico. Closest comparable in ticket size and emerging-market artisan/SME focus.
- Beyond Capital Fund: Impact venture fund investing in early-stage social enterprises in East Africa and South Asia; comparable emerging-market and SME profile with similar catalytic-capital approach.
- Sprout Enterprise®: Parent organization and fund manager of R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund; network of artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs building sustainable rural livelihoods. Sister initiative within Friends of Tilonia.
- Upaya Social Ventures: Impact investor providing dignified-jobs capital to early-stage enterprises in India; runs the Dignified Jobs Accelerator cohort that included Karghewale (R.I.S.E. portfolio). Comparable ticket sizes and Indian artisan focus.
- Realize Impact: Co-creator of R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund; simplifies impact investing and harvests returns for investors. Sister organization with overlapping mandate and shared leadership.
Market position
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments9 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund
What does R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund do?
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a charitable impact-investment fund that deploys catalytic capital to early-stage artisan enterprises in emerging markets. It offers revenue-based investments of $15,000 to $35,000 for enterprises at stages 3–4 of development and Market Development Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 for stages 2–3, paired with mentoring, coaching, and networking support. Capital is sourced from donor-advised funds, private foundations, and direct charitable contributions, and returns are recycled to support vocational training and education for women and girls in rural communities.
Is R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund a public or private company?
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund founded?
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund based?
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund make money?
One revenue line is on record: catalytic Capital Deployment.
Who are R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kiva, Whole Planet Foundation, Acumen and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX). Direct peers are Pomona Impact, Beneficial Returns, Beyond Capital Fund, Sprout Enterprise®, Upaya Social Ventures and Realize Impact.
Does R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund.
What industry is R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund in?
R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund's product category is Impact Investing / Social Finance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAB, Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors), with a secondary code of FSANAJAM, Gender Lens / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Funds. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 6282.