What is IDR?
Published by the Forum for Knowledge and Social Impact, India Development Review (or IDR) is India’s first and largest independent media platform for the development community.
Founded as a section 8 nonprofit company in 2017, IDR publishes articles, videos, and podcasts on a range of issues, from health and education to agriculture and livelihoods. Our mission is further the world’s knowledge on social change.What is IDR’s readership?
IDR reaches more than 7 million people every month across 149 countries. One in two articles published on IDR is republished in mainstream media, and our stories have been republished by more than 1,000 websites worldwide. IDR’s podcast—On the Contrary—is among the top 1 percent of all podcasts globally.
IDR articles have led to funding for nonprofits; been used for policy advocacy at a state and national level; influenced best practices and strategy shifts within organisations; and been academic curricula at Indian and international universities.
Our primary audiences come from Metro, Tier I and Tier II cities in India, as well as a number of countries across the world, including the US, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Women and young professionals make up a significant portion of our readers.Why should I contribute to IDR?
IDR is for anyone working, investing, or interested in India’s progress. Our primary purpose is to make knowledge and expertise accessible and available to the largest audience, and in doing so, strengthen the work of civil society. We believe a strong civil society is necessary for a well-functioning democracy.
By supporting us, you are supporting the amplification of underserved topics, under-represented voices, and the kind of discourse that is crucial to achieving social progress. Plus, IDR is a public good and so our content will always be ad-free and free to read.
In order to fulfill our mission, we need the ongoing support of our community of readers.What does IDR plan to do with the money it raises?
All the funds we raise will be used to directly support our work of making knowledge on social change more accessible. IDR uses the funds to pay for staff salaries, run its operations (website, tech, and outreach), and compensate authors from marginalised communities for their time and expertise.
Does IDR not receive aid or funding from institutions?
We currently receive grants from a number of philanthropic organisations. (You can find a list of our current and past donors here.) But to keep IDR sustainable we need a stable and consistent source of income. The best way to achieve this is through the support of our community of readers and contributors. Even a small sum of money from a large number of people can go a long way.
Why do I have to be an Indian citizen?
Because we do not have an FCRA license, by law only Indian citizens can make donations to nonprofits like IDR. If you are a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) you can make a donation as well, but Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) may not.
Are contributions made to IDR tax free?
Contributions made to IDR are tax-exempt under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Please make sure you share your correct email id while contributing in order to receive your tax exemption certificate. Exemptions are valid only in India.
Why do I receive a receipt from Razorpay when I make a contribution?
IDR uses Razorpay as the payment gateway to collect donations online. Every supporter will receive an invoice from Razorpay as well as an 80G tax excemption receipt from IDR. You will also receive an SMS from your bank which will indicate that the payment has been made to RAZ-Forum. This is short for Razorpay and Forum for Knowledge and Social Impact.
Will I get a receipt to claim an 80G tax exemption?
Yes, you will receive an 80G tax exemption receipt as soon as you make a donation via email. If you haven’t received a copy, please write to us at [email protected] and we will send it across.
How do I get in touch with IDR?
For any donation related queries and concerns you can reach us at [email protected]. To pitch ideas for stories and articles you can [email protected].