About the Sankaran Grant
The Sankaran Grant is a small initiative with a big heart.
It’s my way of supporting young mutual fund distributors (MFDs) in small towns who have the talent and drive, but need a little help to grow.
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I’ve seen many young people with big dreams : smart, hardworking, and full of potential. But there’s one big challenge standing in their way: money.
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Some can’t afford to pay for professional exams or upskilling courses. Others need funds to set up systems, buy software, or simply manage family expenses while their business finds its feet.
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I believe that a little financial and advisory support at the right time can make all the difference.
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That’s why I started this grant: to remove financial barriers and give ambitious young people the push they need to build meaningful careers in personal finance.
Focus areas
Investing through mutual funds has the power to change lives but only when it’s done right. I’ve seen this firsthand over the last 20 years. Good advice, given with care and integrity, can make all the difference to a family’s future. But I’ve also seen how talented young professionals often don’t get the chance to grow. Not because they lack drive but because they lack support.
That’s why I decided to focus on two simple, high-impact areas:
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1. Education Funding
Some young professionals want to learn, grow, and serve better but they can’t afford the programs that will take them there. Courses like CFP, QPFP or other certifications are valuable but may be expensive, and many hesitate to invest in themselves. With this grant, I want to remove that fear and hesitation. Help the right people access the right education, and unlock their potential.
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2. Business Growth
There are also young MFDs who are deeply committed to their clients, but held back by lack of capital. They need just a little support maybe to buy software, build systems, or manage day-to-day personal costs as their business grows. Worse, the financial industry often pushes sales over service. This grant is for those who want to build their practice ethically and sustainably, without giving in to the temptation to mis-sell.
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Why Small Towns?
Most financial programs focus on big cities as a result, in many small towns, families still depend on poor-quality advice. By helping ethical professionals grow, we can change that, one community at a time.
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I believe the next wave of honest, hardworking financial professionals will come from small towns. That’s where the need is greatest and so is the impact. I’ve seen, up close, what it means to start with almost nothing. My parents came to Mumbai with very little money, but they poured everything they had into building a better life for us. Watching their journey taught me that hard work matters, but so does opportunity.
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One Grant at a Time
If you're under 25, passionate about personal finance, and want to do work that makes a difference, I’d love to support you on your journey. This is a small initiative but it’s built with heart. And sometimes, a small push is all it takes to create a lasting change. A small bit of support at the right moment can change the course of a life
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Let’s make that change, one grant at a time.
Application Process
Process and things to note
This grant is for young, ambitious individuals who truly need support to grow. If you can afford to pay for your exam or business expenses on your own, please do not apply. This grant is meant for those who would not be able to take the next step without it.
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For both grants the MFD would need to be under the age of 25 and a resident of a small town in India (B-30 as per AMFI classification)
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For Education Funding
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Wants to take a recognized professional course like the CFP or QPFP
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Payment will be made directly to the education institute
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For Business Growth
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Runs a mutual fund distribution business and has been in business for atleast 18 months
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Committed to ethical sales practices (no mis-selling!)
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Monthly payment based on submission of monthly business reports in agreed format
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Application Process
Check if you qualify, simple criteria above. Fill out the application form with honest, clear answers.
If shortlisted, I will contact you for a short call. Please do not email me or call me to check the status of your application. I will not be able to respond to direct emails or to reconsider applications.
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Important: This fund is for people who truly need it. It is not free money !!
Apply Now
The Sankaran Grant is open for applications for a few times a year. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait for the next cycle.
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Applications Open: 15 April 2025
Applications Close: 15 May 2025
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After the deadline, I will carefully review all applications and select the most deserving candidates. No grants will be given outside this period. Apply early and make sure your application clearly explains why you need this support.