Who We Are

RIDMA Foundation is a registered charity in Australia under Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Our primary objective is to provide financial support to school aged children who are talented but financially less privileged (disadvantaged) in fulfilling their educational aspirations.

The Foundation has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, meaning donations to the Foundation are fully tax deductible to the donor.

Our Programme

Launching of the RIDMA scholarship program in January 2016 was a key milestone of the Foundation. At present, the focus of the program is limited to students in Sri Lanka, however, we intend to extend the program beyond Sri Lanka in future.

At present we have about 50 children who are receiving scholarships. Since inception, four (04) students have completed their high school education and left the program.

Following financial assistance is offered to each of the recipient

Category School Year Amount per annum (AUD)
Lower Secondary Year 6 to 8 $170
Secondary Year 9 to 11 $230
Advance Level Year 12 and 13 $290

The quality of the program is maintained by continuous monitoring of the educational progress and achievements of the scholarship recipients through a well-structured evaluation process.

How it works

Applications:

  • RIDMA receives completed applications throughout the year
  • Application form and instructions to complete the application can be download form the below link.
  • Completed applications can be via email/mail or handed over to us
  • Only completed applications along with supporting evidences are considered for selection.

Selection criteria:

Applications are assessed against the following key criteria:

  • Applicant must be attending a public school in Sri Lanka
  • Applicant must be facing significant personal or socioeconomic difficulties
  • Confirmation and testimony from the Principal of the applicant’s school on the applicant’s socio economic conditions and academic potential with a recommendation for eligibility
  • Demonstrated above average past academic performance:
    1. Year 5 Government Scholarship examination results for ‘lower secondary’ (Year 6 to 8) and ‘secondary’ (Year 9 to 11) applicants
    2. G.C.E (O/L) examination results for ‘advanced level’ applicants
  • Demonstrated interest in extra-curricular, community or leadership activities

Selection Process:

Scholarship Committee (a sub-committee of the Foundation):

  • Scholarship Committee
    1. evaluates the applications and verifies information provided by contacting relevant parties directly and indirectly via RIDMA Foundation representative(s) and other sources in Sri Lanka
    2. assess the applications against the selection criteria
    3. interviews the parents and / or guardians of the applicants
    4. interviews the applicant (student)
  • Scholarship Committee makes recommendations to the RIDMA Foundation Management Committee
  • RIDMA Foundation Management Committee makes the final decision
RIDMA Scholarship Selection Criteria

Engage sponsors

  • Receive sponsor interests through patrons of the Foundation, well-wishers, referrals, Foundation’s website, email, word of mouth, etc.
  • RIDMA scholarship team makes contacts with the interested personal or organisations and formalise the sponsorships
  • Provide details of the selected eligible students to the sponsors and provide them with a choice (where possible) to select a student of their interest to sponsor
  • Agreement with sponsor
  • Provide the sponsor with access to RIMDA MyStudent Portal where all financial information, academic progress reports and other information about the student being sponsored can be accessed anytime during the sponsorship

Awarding scholarships:

  • Send letter of award to the student
  • Obtain and verify bank account details of the parent(s) / guardian for receiving money
  • Make a regular quarterly disbursements to the nominated account during the period of the scholarship

Ongoing assessments:

Scholarship sub-committee of the Foundation is dedicated in keeping close contacts with the recipients and obtaining regular educational progress reports to ensure the effectiveness of the program.

Also a formal review is conducted on each recipient annually to assess the continuation of the scholarship to the next school year and merit certificates are awarded well performing students as an appreciation and a motivation to thrive.

Educational progress reports are made available online to the sponsors via RIMDA MyStudent portal for complete transparency.

Become a sponsor

All donations count irrespective of the dollar value and can make a significant difference to life of deserved child.

Foundation currently offers following sponsorship options:

Category School Year Amount per annum (AUD)
Lower Secondary Year 6 to 8 AUD 170
Secondary Year 9 to 11 AUD 230
Advance Level Year 12 and 13 AUD 290

** Your donation is fully tax deductible.

For further information please call us on +61 (0) 438449070

Email Us

Make a one off donation:

You want to help a student but do not want long term commitment. It is ok to donate onetime payment using below payment instructions.

Bank: National Australia Bank
Name: RIDMA FOUNDATION INCORPORATION
BSB: 086-147
Account No: 84-423-2477
Reference: Your Phone Number + Name

We will email the tax deductible receipt upon receiving money in our bank Ac

Be a volunteer

Ridma Foundation - Be a volunteer

We are driven by volunteers!!

Our dedicated volunteers are the backbone of what we do. We simply could not exist without them.

How you can get involved!

RIDMA scholarship program needs a lot of volunteering effort for administration, coordination and communication. Once again, you do not need to be a RIDMA committee or become a member to get involved. Please talk to and be part of this good cause.

Ridma Foundation - Be a volunteer

Be a mentor for student

Would you like to be buddy of our student? We love to facilitate it. You can contribute positively to change a life of a disadvantaged child by providing moral support.

Refer A Child

Be a part of this good cause by referring deserved child to us. We will endeavour to arrange a sponsor to eligible applicants to financially support their education. Please download application using below link.

Instruction to complete Application

You may email completed application using info@ridma.org.au.