Read India

What Read India does

READ (Rural Education and Action Development) is a non-governmental organization headquartered in Andimadam, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu, India, operating since 1994. The organization runs seven integrated social programs serving underprivileged and vulnerable rural populations across Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Cuddalore districts: Self-Help Groups (over 1,000 women-led groups formed since 2000 with microfinance and bank linkages), HIV/AIDS care (Malarummottukal for adults and Little Stars for children), Farmers Development (modern agricultural training via GATE partnership), Child Sponsorship (via Sahaya International), Child Protection, Senior Citizens support, and Child Education (English-medium Jawahar and Annai Theresa schools serving LKG through Standard 5). READ also operates a network of Anbagam Special Schools providing residential care, special education, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy for intellectually disabled children and adults across Andimadam, Srimushnam, Ariyalur, and Perambalur, plus vocational training in tailoring, computers, greeting card making, book binding, and screen printing.

READ's business model is donation- and grant-based rather than revenue-generating; it provides services free of charge to beneficiaries. Funding flows through domestic donations (eligible for 80G tax exemption under the Indian Income Tax Act), international donations channeled via Sahaya International (a US-based 501(c)3 founded by Dr. Koen Van Rompay) and Sahaya.eu (Belgium), plus project grants from entities including the Japan Government (RCRC building, 2008), Abilis Foundation (disability program revolving loans), and bank partnerships (HDFC, SBI, ICICI, SHEPHERED for microfinance linkages). READ employs 63 staff across 10+ facilities and accepts online donations via Razorpay payment gateway. There is no technology product layer; operations are service-delivery driven through physical facilities, field staff, and partner networks.

The organization is led by founder Dr. READ SELVAM and operates as an independent non-profit with no parent company, no subsidiaries in the corporate sense (only programmatic operating units), and no public financial disclosures. Distribution is direct via field programs in Tamil Nadu, with international fundraising arms in the US and Europe. Customer relationships are long-tail across individual beneficiaries rather than enterprise contracts, and the organization relies on word-of-mouth, website presence, and partner referrals for outreach.

Name

Read India

Legal name

Rural Education and Action Development

Website

https://readindia.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

READ (Rural Education and Action Development) is a Tamil Nadu-based NGO operating since 1994 that runs seven social programs including women self-help groups, special schools for disabled children, English-medium schools, vocational training, HIV/AIDS care, and farmer development, serving underprivileged rural communities across Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Cuddalore districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare and Community Development Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB), Education Access & Quality (International Development) (BPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Women empowerment programs
• Rural education services
• Vocational training programs
• Disability rehabilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Andimadam

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: READ receives donations from individuals and organizations in India and abroad. Donations within India are tax exempt under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. For USA donors, donations can be sent via Sahaya International (501(c)3 organization). For European donors, donations can be sent via Sahaya.eu.
2. Microfinance Lending: READ provides microfinance loans to women through self-help groups, enabling members to start small businesses. The organization also connects groups with bank loans from HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, and SHEPHERED.
3. Child Sponsorship: Donors can sponsor children through Sahaya International for education, food, and medical reimbursement.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

READ India (Rural Education and Action Development) is a non-governmental organization operating seven distinct social welfare programs targeting underprivileged communities in rural Tamil Nadu. Programs include Self-Help Groups for women's financial inclusion, HIV/AIDS care and counseling, Farmers Development, Child Sponsorship, Child Protection, Senior Citizens support, and Child Education through formal English-medium schools. The organization also runs Anbagam Special Schools for intellectually disabled children, vocational training centers, and community health/hygiene initiatives.

Product overview

READ (Rural Education and Action Development) is an NGO headquartered in Andimadam, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu, operating since 1994. Rather than a technology product company, READ operates a portfolio of seven distinct social programs focused on improving social, educational, and economic conditions of underprivileged communities. The core offerings include: formal English-medium schools (Jawahar and Annai Theresa) for child education; Anbagam Special Schools for intellectually disabled children; Self-Help Groups and Women Empowerment programs for financial inclusion; HIV/AIDS support (Malarummottukal and Little Stars programs); Vocational Training (tailoring, computers, greeting cards, book binding, screen printing); Farmers Development through modern agriculture; and Community Health initiatives. Programs are supported by donations processed via Razorpay payment gateway, with separate codes for each program area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HIV/AIDS Program Comprehensive HIV/AIDS support program with two sub-programs: Malarummottukal for adults providing Home-Based Care (HBC) and Income Generation Program (IGP), and Little Stars for children and adolescents offering specialized care and counseling. Includes monthly meetings for nutritive supplements distribution and peer-group support sessions.
• Farmers Development Program Sustainable agricultural development program collaborating with Gemini Agro Tech Educational Foundation (GATE) to train farmers on modern crop production technologies. Aims to increase crop productivity per acre by 200-500% through soil analysis, optimized fertilization, and eco-friendly farming methods.
• Child Education - Formal Schools English medium schools providing quality education to children in rural villages. Includes Jawahar Nursery and Primary School (Vilandai, established 2003) and Annai Theresa Nursery and Primary School (Periyakrishnapuram, established 1997), operating from LKG through Standard 5 with computer lab facilities.
• Anbagam Special Schools Special schools for intellectually disabled children (Anbagam meaning 'Home of Love'). Residential facilities at multiple locations: Andimadam, Perambalur, Srimushnam (Cuddalore District), and Ariyalur. Provides special education, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration training. Donation codes: ANBAGAM SCHOOL (children), ANBAGAM HOME (adults), ANBAGAM BABY (early intervention).
• Vocational Training Programs Skill-training programs for youth (especially girls) and disabled people. Programs include: Tailoring (6-month certification), Greeting Card Making, Typewriting (Government certification), Computer Training (1-12 month courses covering MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet), Book Binding, and Screen Printing. Operated from RCRC building constructed with Japan Government funding in 2008.
• Women Empowerment Program Women's economic development through self-help groups and microfinance. Over 1000 groups formed since 2000. Partner banks include HDFC Bank, SBI, SHEPHERD, and ICICI. Programs include Young Girls Development (tailoring, typewriting, computer, greeting card making, notebook making, screen printing), Widow Support, and Women Entrepreneurship Development. Donation code: PRINCE (young girls), SURVIVOR (widow), QUEEN (entrepreneurship).
• Community Health Program Perambalur Community Hygiene Project focused on constructing individual household toilets for families in rural communities. Includes a revolving loan fund for toilet construction (approximately $120-130 per unit). Over 100 toilets constructed. Addresses open defecation issues in dispersed rural communities.
• Self-Help Groups Program Women-led self-help groups focused on improving financial literacy and independence through micro-financing and savings-credit programs. The groups operate with 12-20 members each, selecting leaders (president, secretary, treasurer) to manage collective savings and credit activities.
• Child Sponsorship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1000 women self-help groups formed since 2000
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sahaya InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Sahaya International is a US-based 501(c)3 organization that has been a key partner since READ's founding in 1994. They facilitate donations from US supporters, fund school construction (Mother Teresa School, Jawahar School), and support programs including child sponsorship, HIV/AIDS, and community development. Dr. Koen Van Rompay is the founder.
• Sahaya.eucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partner based in Belgium that facilitates donations from European supporters and co-funds development projects.
• Gemini Agro Tech Educational Foundation (GATE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated near Chennai, GATE provides training to READ farmers on modern crop production technologies including soil analysis and optimized fertilizer use, aiming for 200-500% increased crop productivity.
• ADD INDIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided 45-days training program to 5 READ staff members to build capacity for working on disability issues.
• Organization for Development Action (ODA), TrichyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided staff capacity building for disability project including project vision setting and management practices, training and networking services.
• Parivalaya, KarurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided physiotherapy training to field staff working on disability rehabilitation programs.
• Vidya Sagar, ChennaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided guidance on rehabilitation intervention with cerebral palsy/mental retardation children and trained staff on community-based rehabilitation program design.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MYRADA: Long-established Indian NGO focused on self-help groups, microfinance, and rural livelihoods in southern states including Tamil Nadu; directly comparable on SHG-led financial inclusion and community institution-building.
• Gram Vikas: Rural development NGO combining WASH, livelihoods, and education programs in Indian villages; comparable integrated community-stack model and reliance on international donor funding.
• Seva Mandir: Rajasthan-based rural NGO running integrated programs in education, women's empowerment, child rights, and health; comparable in being a long-tenured (founded 1968), rural India, multi-program grassroots NGO.
• PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action): India-based NGO operating self-help group, microfinance, and livelihood programs in rural India; comparable programmatic overlap (women SHGs, farmer development) and similar community-embedded delivery model.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: Large Indian development NGO focused on farmer development, livestock, and rural livelihoods with comparable agriculture-modernization and rural-income programs.
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation: Founder/diaspora-driven NGO running single-teacher schools in rural India; comparable operating model (low-cost rural schools, donor-funded, community-embedded) and reliance on international giving channels.
• Sahaya International: US-based 501(c)(3) and READ's longest-standing partner since 1994; comparable as a small, founder-driven nonprofit channeling international donor funds into rural Indian social programs (education, HIV/AIDS, disability).

Broad incumbents

• ActionAid India: Large Indian affiliate of an international federation; overlaps with READ on women's empowerment, child protection, and community health, but at national scale with formal governance structures.
• CBM India: India arm of a global disability-inclusion INGO; comparable on disability programs (special education, rehabilitation) but operates at significantly larger scale and with broader geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Helpage India: National NGO focused on elderly welfare; comparable on the senior-citizens life-support program vertical, though much larger and urban-focused relative to READ's rural Tamil Nadu base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/read-india

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Read India