PPI is an organization that promotes development in India, especially in the rural areas. Founded in 1977, PPI is registered in the State of Washington as a non-profit charitable organization and has maintained the Internal Revenue Service's non-profit tax-exempt status since 1978. More than 93% of the funds collected by PPI in membership fees, pledges, and donations are spent on projects. This is possible because the organization is totally voluntary. No member is paid for time. Less than 7% is used for office and mailing expenses and for occasional honoraria for visiting workers in development. Typically PPI supports ten to twelve projects at a time. Funding has ranged from $1,500 to $12,000 per project, spread over periods of 1 to 3 years.

1. The project must be sponsored by a responsible, registered non-profit tax-exempt organization in India.

2. The project must promote self-help and economic independence and must have a reasonable expectation of success.

3. The project must benefit the needy sectors of society.

4. The project must lead to benefits that will endure after PPI's involvement ends.

5. The directors of the project must correspond directly with PPI and must submit semi-annual and annual reports.

6. The project must not have any religious, racial, caste, or political bias.

7. The scope of the project must be within PPI's financial means.

8. Normally, PPI does not fund projects that are merely charitable donations and projects that principally involve capital expenditures (purchase of equipment, buildings, etc.), although some capital expenditures are allowed as essential parts of a larger project. However, projects of these types may be approved if dedicated funds for the purpose are collected by an individual or group. Guidelines for such special projects are listed on a separate sheet.

9. PPI supports a variety of types of projects, but our preference is for:
* projects connected with rural development
* projects that solve problems in innovative ways
* projects that recycle our funds and have a catalytic effect
* projects based in remote and neglected areas
* projects that address environmental issues
* projects that utilize appropriate technology
* projects that encourage leadership from communities in need of assistance.

PPI evaluates the success of projects based on correspondence and reports from the project director and, when possible, on site visits by PPI members. The principal considerations are contained in the following questions:

1. Have the project goals been achieved as stated in the original proposal? If not, what were the deterrents? Can the goals be achieved by changing the methods and/or the time frame described in the proposal?

2. Has PPI's grant been spent in the manner budgeted in the proposal? If not, what adjustments were made and why?

3. Have the project directors corresponded adequately and answered questions pertinently? If not, where were the difficulties?

4. Has the project led to a self-sustaining enterprise or otherwise provided long-term benefits that will persist after PPI's involvement ends?

5. Has the project had a catalytic effect on the surrounding areas?

6. Has a level of independence been achieved or experience gained?