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FAQs
Why do people lend?
The reasons for lending or donating can vary widely. Here are some motivations that our supporters have expressed: personal values based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, empathy, and a desire to make a positive impact on society.
How can I extend a loan to a borrower?
To initiate the lending process, just click on the “lend” button on the website, log in to the RAIS marketplace, and then follow the prompts to search for a project and entrepreneur that you’re interested in supporting. Finally, proceed to extend the loan as per the instructions provided.
How can I retrieve my funds at the conclusion of the loan period?
Once the borrower repays the loan, the funds are automatically deposited into your RAIS wallet. You have the option to withdraw funds from your RAIS wallet using PayPal, or you can elect to reinvest the funds by extending a loan to another borrower of your choosing.
What happens if the borrower fails to repay the loan?
In cases where a borrower faces financial difficulties and finds it challenging to repay their loan, the RAIS Foundation will intervene to assist them, thus alleviating the impact to lenders and encouraging their continued investment. RAIS will work with the borrower privately to adjust their loan structure, enhancing the chances of repayment.
While our objective is to facilitate the repayment of funds to the lender, it’s important to note that we cannot guarantee full or partial reimbursement due to the inherent risks associated with lending and the limited funds available within the RAIS Foundation.
To prevent exploitation of the lender’s generosity, RAIS will pursue collections through the courts for borrowers whom we identify as abusing the system. This measure is implemented to deter further misuse by others.
Is my investment tax deductible?
Providing a loan on the platform doesn’t constitute a charitable donation and may not be eligible for a tax deduction. Please check with your tax advisor to ascertain the correct tax treatment for any loans you extend through the platform.
Any donation you make to the RAIS Foundation is eligible for a tax deduction in the United States.
Is RAIS a non-profit organization?
The RAIS Foundation is a non-profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
The sister company, RAIS Inc., is a socially responsible, mission-oriented for-profit corporation.
We’ve intentionally structured it this way to ensure we operate with urgency, and corporate discipline, and are efficient. This rigor is necessary to minimize the costs associated with delivering financial resources to remote areas of the planet.
Can individuals get involved?
The core concept of RAIS is to make it easy for anyone to participate in contributing to social progress for the underprivileged.
Can corporations or organizations get involved?
Currently, organizations or corporations can engage by appointing a representative to register with the RAIS Marketplace and conduct transactions on their behalf. In the future, our aim is to integrate the RAIS platform into employee benefits programs, allowing companies to match or support their employees’ philanthropic or charitable activities. If your organization is interested in participating, please contact us.
Am I able to reinvest the funds once the loan has been repaid?
After the borrower repays the loan, the funds are automatically transferred back to your RAIS wallet. You have several options: you can reinvest the funds by extending a loan to a borrower of your preference, make a donation to the RAIS Foundation, or withdraw the funds as you see fit.
Are borrowers charged interest on their loan?
Our aim is to ensure that borrowing costs remain manageable for our clients, which is why we do not impose interest for the term of the loan. However, we do apply a 3% loan processing fee and a 3% money transfer fee to cover platform expenses.
How can I determine when a borrower has repaid the loan?
You can check whether the borrower has paid back the loan by accessing the RAIS Marketplace. Once logged in, the homepage will show a dashboard with updates on your account status. Additionally, you can view all activity related to your account by clicking on the transactions tab for detailed information.
How long has RAIS been in existence?
The idea for RAIS was born in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. RAIS Inc. and the RAIS Foundation were formally established in 2023.
What is the vision of RAIS?
To unlock humanity’s limitless potential by making capital accessible and affordable to every corner of the globe.
In which countries does RAIS operate?
At present, RAIS operates in both the United States and Uganda. Our overarching goal is to ensure that resources are accessible and affordable in every part of the world. We are actively engaged in efforts to expand our operations to achieve this vision.
Can I earn interest on my loan?
At present, we exclusively facilitate interest-free friendly loans. However, we’re actively developing the capability for lenders to earn reasonable interest, while ensuring loans remain accessible and affordable for borrowers. We hope to have this capability available in the near future.