Multinational conglomerate QI Group, which operates in sectors ranging from education to luxury products, channels 10% of its annual revenue into the RYTHM Foundation, a social impact arm focused on education, women’s economic empowerment, and rural development.

What Is the RYTHM Foundation and How Does It Work?

The RYTHM Foundation serves as QI Group’s social impact arm, redirecting revenues into community development initiatives across Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and sub-Saharan Africa. This commitment translates into partnerships with more than 100 grassroots organizations operating in at least 30 countries worldwide.

The foundation’s name derives from QI Group’s core philosophy: Raise Yourself To Help Mankind. This principle, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings about personal development as a prerequisite for serving others, shapes every funding decision and partnership the foundation undertakes.

As Chairperson, Umayal Eswaran provides strategic guidance to the foundation, which has reached over 80,000 beneficiaries since its establishment in 2005.

Which Communities Receive RYTHM Foundation Support?

Primary geographic areas where the foundation concentrates its efforts include rural Malaysia, underserved communities in India, conflict-affected regions in Sri Lanka, and emerging economies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Selection criteria prioritize communities facing specific barriers to development. The foundation targets areas with limited educational infrastructure, regions where women face economic exclusion, and communities lacking basic services or sustainable livelihoods.

How Does the Foundation Select Partner Organizations?

Partner selection emphasizes grassroots organizations with established community connections. The foundation works with local groups that demonstrate measurable impact potential and operational transparency.

The foundation provides assistance that helps partners develop sustainable operating models and impact measurement systems.

What Are the Foundation’s Three Core Program Areas?

Educational Access for Children

The foundation’s education initiatives take a holistic approach that extends beyond academics to include capacity building, vocational and skills training, as well as personal development in areas like emotional intelligence and soft skills. Its programs support underserved communities worldwide, from preschools established during the pandemic to elementary schools for indigenous children.

Taarana, a special needs education school established in Malaysia in 2011, exemplifies this approach. The school provides specialized learning support for children with developmental disabilities who would otherwise lack access to appropriate educational services.

The foundation’s Gift of Life program, which began as QI Group founder Vijay Eswaran and his wife Umayal Eswaran’s personal donations to worthy causes made in honor of birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones operates through a unique model. When individuals associated with QI Group celebrate birthdays or anniversaries, the foundation makes contributions in their names, supporting not only rural schools but also welfare organizations, indigenous communities, children’s homes, and learners with special needs. This assistance ranges from minor infrastructure upgrades to furniture, equipment, and teaching and learning materials.

Economic Empowerment for Women

Women’s economic development programs address gender inequality through skills training and entrepreneurship support. The foundation provides vocational training, microfinance access, and business development services to women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Maharani Programme has supported over 8,000 girls from underserved Malaysian communities since 2011. Participants receive education on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and cultural awareness, equipping them with knowledge and confidence for personal and professional advancement.

These initiatives recognize that empowering women creates ripple effects throughout communities. When women gain economic independence, entire families benefit from improved nutrition, healthcare access, and educational opportunities.

Rural Community Development

Rural development projects focus on building self-sustaining communities through infrastructure improvements and capacity building. Programs address basic needs while developing long-term economic opportunities.

Projects include clean water infrastructure, sustainable agriculture training, and community health initiatives. The foundation emphasizes solutions that communities can maintain independently after initial implementation support.

Environmental sustainability forms a critical component of rural development work. Programs integrate conservation practices, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable resource management into community development plans.

How Does Employee Engagement Strengthen Foundation Programs?

QI Group’s Employee Community Impact program has generated more than 125,000 volunteer hours since 2013. The company encourages all employees to dedicate at least 12 hours annually to community service, often participating in foundation-supported projects and local initiatives.

This volunteer engagement creates direct connections between QI Group’s workforce and beneficiary communities..

The program extends across QI Group’s global operations in 30 countries. Employees may participate in environmental conservation efforts, youth education programs, and community infrastructure projects aligned with foundation priorities.

What Impact Metrics Document the Foundation’s Effectiveness?

The foundation tracks both quantitative and qualitative outcomes across its program areas. Since 2005, direct beneficiaries have exceeded 80,000 individuals, with 63,000 women and young girls receiving targeted support through economic empowerment programs.

Educational initiatives have reached over 15,000 children through direct programming and infrastructure support. Special needs education programs have created learning opportunities for students who previously lacked any formal educational access.

Partnership networks continue expanding, with the foundation maintaining active relationships with over 135 global partners on more than 75 ongoing projects. These collaborations leverage local expertise while applying foundation resources for maximum community benefit.

How Does the Foundation Align With Global Development Goals?

The RYTHM Foundation structures its programs around United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing:

• Education for All (SDG 4)
• Encouraging Gender Equality (SDG 5)
• Safeguarding Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
• Access to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7)
• Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
• Helping Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10)
• Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Program design incorporates SDG indicators for impact measurement. Education initiatives track enrollment rates, completion statistics, and learning outcomes using standardized metrics that enable comparison with global benchmarks.

The foundation’s commitment to sustainable development extends beyond program implementation. Operating practices emphasize environmental responsibility, with meat-free and plastic-free guidelines for all foundation events and activities.

Is QI Group Involved in Sustainability or Social Impact?

QI Group embeds sustainability and social impact throughout its operations—spanning from internal practices and environmental initiatives to global community development and impactful philanthropy.

QI Group has been a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact since 2015, aligning its operations with the Global Compact’s ten principles and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through both business activities and social investments. They publish annual “Communication on Progress” reports to track their efforts.

The company’s sustainability framework is built around three core pillars:

• Empowering People
• Transforming Communities
• Safeguarding the Environment

It drives social change mainly through the RYTHM Foundation, which provides predictable funding streams for long-term programs. Partner organizations can plan multi-year initiatives knowing foundation support remains consistent relative to QI Group’s financial performance.

With over 125,000 employee volunteer hours, sustainable hospitality and education ventures, and inclusive workplace practices, QI Group integrates environmental responsibility and social upliftment into its core business strategy.