What is IDR?
India Development Review (or IDR) is Asia’s largest independent media platform that advances the world’s knowledge on social change.Registered as a section 8 nonprofit, IDR publishes articles, videos, and podcasts on a range of issues, from health, education, and livelihoods to social justice, climate change, and mental health.
What is IDR’s readership?
IDR reaches more than 15 million people every month across 182 countries. Half of all articles published on IDR are 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 the state and national levels; influenced best practices and strategy shifts within organisations; and been taught as part of 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, the 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 fulfil 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 run our operations and remunerate authors from marginalised communities for their time and expertise.
Why does IDR ask for recurring donations?
To consistently serve as a stage and spotlight for unheard voices and the counter-narratives crucial to achieving social progress, we require a long-term strategic action plan. Recurring donations serve as the most dependable revenue source. They enable us to establish a consistent and predictable cash flow to budget our expenses and enhance our capabilities accordingly.
How do I renew my halted membership?
You can update your linked card or switch to another method of payment to renew your halted membership. Alternatively, you can sign up for the membership again or make a one-time annual payment as per your preferred tier. In case you need a direct link to update the card, please drop us a line at [email protected]
How do I cancel or change my recurring donation?
You can cancel at any time by writing to us at [email protected] with details of your membership (the email address that you used to sign up or your subscription ID). In case you wish to change the amount of your recurring donation, you can write to us to cancel your existing membership and set up a new recurring donation.
Does IDR not receive aid or funding from institutions?
We currently receive grants from several philanthropists, as well as CSR and Indian foundations. (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?
IDR is registered as a section 8 nonprofit company under the Companies Act. We have not applied for an FCRA licence (which allows foreign passport holders and companies to donate to us). Hence, by law, only Indian citizens can make donations to nonprofits like IDR.Non-resident Indians (NRI) can also donate to us, but Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) cannot.
Are donations 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 when making the donation 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 exemption 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 via email as soon as you make a donation. If you haven’t received a copy, please write to us at [email protected] and we will send it across.
Are my payment details safe?
Yes, your payment details are secure. We believe in asking for the least amount of data necessary for keeping in touch (your name and email) and regulatory tax compliance (payment details, address, and PAN).
Why do you need my address and PAN details?
In order to meet regulatory and compliance requirements outlined by the government, we are required to collect the addresses and PAN details of all donors. Without the complete and accurate information, we will be unable to accept your donation.
What is the IDR membership merchandise?
We send out member merchandise—which includes a tote bag and notebooks, based on the level of support—in monthly batches. These goodies are not meant for sale but are sent as a token of our appreciation to our members.
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].