Every community
has the right
to grow.
We build practical, community-centered projects across health, food security, education, climate, and economic opportunity — designed with the people they serve, not delivered to them.
RD develops and supports practical, community-centered projects that improve lives, protect the environment, expand economic opportunities, and strengthen local institutions. We work closely with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, government agencies, businesses, volunteers, and international partners to design programs that respond to locally identified needs.
We do not simply provide temporary assistance. We help individuals and institutions develop the skills, systems, resources, and partnerships needed to continue improving their communities over time — with a commitment to inclusion, accountability, measurable impact, and community ownership.
Sustainable development, by sector.
Twelve program areas, one continuous root system. Each strengthens the others — a well repaired supports a clinic visit; a harvest saved supports a school fee paid.
Care that reaches where it's needed
Community Health and Wellness
RD supports community health programs that improve access to reliable health information, preventive services, nutrition education, referrals, and basic healthcare resources — designed especially for underserved families, rural communities, uninsured individuals, older adults, mothers, children, immigrants, and people living in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Activities may include health education campaigns, community screenings, maternal and child health support, disease-prevention programs, wellness workshops, healthcare navigation, and partnerships with licensed medical professionals and local health facilities — helping communities make informed decisions, identify concerns early, and reduce preventable illness.
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Our nutrition initiatives support pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants, and young children affected by poverty, malnutrition, food insecurity, or limited access to healthcare. Projects may provide nutrition education, healthy cooking demonstrations, locally produced supplementary foods, breastfeeding support, maternal health referrals, infant-feeding guidance, and basic supplies for vulnerable mothers and children.
We work with nurses, nutritionists, community health workers, agricultural organizations, and local leaders to create culturally appropriate solutions that improve nutrition while strengthening local food systems.
Land, water, and what grows from them
Agriculture and Food Security
RD promotes sustainable agriculture as a pathway to reducing hunger, increasing household income, and strengthening community resilience — supporting smallholder farmers, women, young people, and community-based groups through training, improved methods, access to tools, climate-smart practices, food processing, and market development.
Projects may include community gardens, seed distribution, irrigation support, agricultural entrepreneurship, livestock development, post-harvest management, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and farmer cooperative development, connecting agriculture, nutrition, environment, and income into one system.
Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability
Climate change affects public health, agriculture, water access, livelihoods, migration, and community safety. RD supports locally driven environmental projects — tree planting, reforestation, climate education, renewable energy, waste management, clean cooking technologies, water conservation, coastal protection, environmental research, and youth climate leadership.
We promote community participation in environmental decision-making and practical solutions that balance economic development with the protection of land, water, forests, and biodiversity.
Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential for health, education, dignity, and economic development. RD supports WASH projects in communities facing unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and limited hygiene education — including construction or rehabilitation of wells, water-storage systems, handwashing stations, school sanitation facilities, and hygiene-awareness campaigns.
We work with local residents on maintenance plans, community management structures, and training systems that keep facilities functional and sustainable.
Skills, voice, and a fair share
Education and Lifelong Learning
Education is one of the strongest tools for overcoming poverty and expanding opportunity. RD's education projects support children, young people, adults, teachers, schools, and community learning centers, including school support, adult literacy, digital literacy, teacher development, vocational education, career readiness, scholarship assistance, life-skills training, and college preparation.
We encourage practical education that prepares learners to solve community problems, participate in the economy, and become responsible leaders.
Youth Leadership and Empowerment
Young people are recognized as partners in development, not only as beneficiaries. RD creates opportunities for youth to build leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, teamwork, and problem-solving skills — through mentorship, leadership academies, sports-based development, drug-prevention programs, community service, public speaking, career coaching, and youth-led social initiatives.
These programs help young people build confidence, avoid harmful behaviors, create positive networks, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality
RD supports women and girls who face economic hardship, discrimination, violence, limited education, unemployment, poor health access, or social exclusion. Our programs promote safety, dignity, leadership, financial independence, and equal participation — through entrepreneurship training, maternal health support, financial education, vocational skills, small-business development, leadership training, and mentoring.
We work with communities to challenge harmful practices, strengthen support systems, and create opportunities for women to become leaders, business owners, educators, health advocates, and decision-makers.
Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Sustainable communities require opportunities for people to earn income, build businesses, and participate in the formal economy. RD supports entrepreneurship, workforce development, and financial empowerment — business-development training, career coaching, résumé preparation, interview readiness, grant-writing workshops, financial literacy, credit education, budgeting, insurance education, and small-business mentorship.
We connect participants with markets, professional networks, training institutions, funding opportunities, and technical resources.
What holds it all up
Renewable Energy and Community Infrastructure
Reliable energy and safe infrastructure improve healthcare, education, communication, business development, and public safety. RD supports renewable-energy and infrastructure initiatives responding to underserved communities' needs — solar-powered health facilities, solar lighting, clean-energy systems, community technology centers, school improvements, and health-post rehabilitation.
We prioritize solutions that are affordable, locally manageable, environmentally responsible, and capable of delivering long-term community benefits.
Research, Innovation, and Capacity Building
RD uses research and evidence to design effective programs and improve decision-making — community needs assessments, health surveys, program evaluations, policy research, and participatory studies. We also provide governance training, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, financial accountability, project management, grant development, data collection, and organizational leadership support.
Our goal is to help local institutions become stronger, more transparent, and better prepared to manage sustainable development programs.
Humanitarian Assistance and Community Resilience
RD responds to urgent needs caused by poverty, displacement, disaster, conflict, health emergencies, and other crises — providing food, hygiene supplies, clothing, emergency health assistance, shelter support, educational materials, and referrals to essential services.
Whenever possible, emergency assistance is connected to long-term recovery — livelihood support, training, agriculture, community health, and institutional strengthening — helping communities move from relief toward stability and resilience.
International partnerships.
RD collaborates with local and international organizations that share our commitment to sustainable development — combining local knowledge with international experience and resources.
Partners include nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, universities, healthcare institutions, government agencies, foundations, businesses, researchers, and professional associations.
Joint program implementation and technical cooperation across health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure projects.
Research and evaluation conducted alongside academic and professional partners to strengthen evidence and accountability.
Volunteer engagement, resource mobilization, staff training, and grant development, carried out through respectful, transparent partnerships.
Partner with RD
Co-develop projects, support joint grant applications, provide technical or professional expertise, host training, sponsor an initiative, conduct research, provide equipment or materials, or support volunteer and internship opportunities.
Start the ConversationWhere we work.
RD supports sustainable development initiatives in the United States and in low- and middle-income countries, particularly across Africa. Locations are selected based on demonstrated need, local partnership capacity, community participation, available resources, and the potential for measurable, lasting impact.
How we measure impact.
Each project includes clear objectives, defined activities, measurable indicators, responsible leadership, realistic budgets, and regular reporting. We use monitoring and evaluation findings to improve our programs and communicate results to donors and stakeholders.
Individuals and households served across every program area.
Improvements in health, nutrition, education, income, or food security.
The number of people trained or employed through our programs.
Community institutions strengthened through training and partnership.
Completion and continued use of facilities or infrastructure.
Changes in knowledge, behavior, or community participation.
Environmental improvements: trees planted, land restored, energy installed.
Feedback from participants, partners, and community leaders.
Three ways to work with RD.
Support a Project
Donations, sponsorships, grants, technical expertise, equipment, volunteer service, and strategic partnerships help expand proven solutions to more vulnerable communities. Contributions can fund planning, training, supplies, outreach, transportation, research, staffing, and direct services.
Make a ContributionPartner With RD
Co-develop projects, support joint grant applications, provide technical or professional expertise, host training, sponsor an initiative, conduct research or evaluations, provide equipment or materials, or support volunteer and internship opportunities.
Propose a PartnershipStart a Project
Community organizations and leaders may propose a project describing the identified need, target population, location, proposed activities, expected results, estimated budget, local partners, and plans for long-term sustainability. Reviewed on mission alignment, feasibility, and impact.
Submit a ProposalTransform local challenges into sustainable opportunities.
To learn more about RD's sustainable development projects, discuss a partnership, sponsor a program, or submit a project proposal, please reach out.
Right to Development (RD), Inc.
16192 Coastal Highway
Lewes, Delaware 19958
Telephone: (302) 219-3300