Rising Tide was founded in 1989 with the mission to assist in creating products from the developing world that could be marketed in the US while at the same time, improving the living standards of the low-income artisans that make these items. To achieve this goal, Rising Tide has developed long-term partnerships with their artisans and have provided contemporary design input, technical assistance and a marketplace that is accessible to their products.

The melding of traditional textiles and artisan techniques (such as weaving, knitting, and felting) with current color and textural trends produces a final product that is both very wearable and distinct and has positive impact on the success the artisans' experience. 

Rising Tide has also created emergency funds for the artisans as well as become regular contributors to the Santi School Project in Nepal, which undertakes teacher trainings, facility development and brings clean water to rural schools in the region.