All Small Steps Foundation project proposals undergo a rigorous screening and evaluation process. Organization that meet our primary criteria would be asked to fill a request for proposal. Before the final selection is made one of the directors or volunteers would conduct a site visit.

Small Steps Foundation selects projects based on:

1. Primary Criteria -
   • The project should be non-discrimatory based on language, culture, religion, caste.
   • The project should also have a big education component
2. Target beneficiary groups of the project - children of poor families, slum children, street children, orphans, girl child
3. Focus area of the project - Age group of children and type of education offered pre-primary, primary, non formal, bridge school, tuition centers, vocational or training
4. Demographics serviced by the project -
   • The project has a long-term impact on its target community.
   • The project involves its local community in answering the problem.
   • The project is self sustaining and helps its beneficiary attain financial independence
   • The project is scalable; in other words be able to impact more children over time.

Small Steps Foundation initiatives are not alternatives or replacements of those provided by the local, state or central governments instead we try to provide the services where such government-sponsored services are either missing or insufficient.