WE INSPIRE WOMEN & CHILDREN
TO DREAM BEYOND
The Desai Foundation/Trust is an organization that empowers women and children through community programming to elevate health, livelihood and menstrual equity in rural India.
Our Focus Building resilient communities and cultivating dignity
WOMENEmpowering women has the power to not only change the economic circumstances of individual families, but entire villages.
Learn More
CHILDRENEducating and providing children with the building blocks to future advancement allows families to transcend their circumstances.
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HEALTHAlleviating health issues that prevent women from working and children from attending school enables the community to thrive and focus their attention elsewhere.
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LIVELIHOODProviding vocational training and the ability to increase household income leads to immediate quality of life improvements.
Learn MoreOur Pledge
Every dollar raised goes directly to programs that change lives.
Our staff and infrastructure is supported by the founding endowment from the Desai Family and its board members.
Now, as a public foundation, your support helps expand our life-changing programs in
India and the U.S.
News + Media
Menstrual Equity & Social Impact Heroes Get Boost by Secretary Hillary Clinton's Visit in India!
We were beyond honored to have former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, visit the programing of the Desai Foundation today! Having this incredible opportunity to highlight our programs for Sec. Clinton is deeply empowering not just for our team and supporters, but the communities we serve as well. Read the full press release HERE.
How You Can Help
Donate for
Menstrual Equity
Donate to the Heroes for Humanity program
in partnership with S.P. Hinduja Banque PrivéeDonate to our COVID-19 Relief
Working with the existing strengths of each community, we provide the tools needed to create stronger, healthier, and more economically independent households.
Donate Now
The Desai Foundation Follow
🌟 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our incredible sponsors! 🙏
Your generous support is the driving force behind our Diwali on the Hudson event's success over the past 10 years. Together, we're making a meaningful impact and celebrating a night of light, culture, and community.
🎉💫 Diwali on the Hudson is just 5 weeks away, and you won't want to miss it! Secure your tickets now at www.doth2023.givesmart.com and be part of this unforgettable celebration. 🎟️🕰️
Ranavat Rampursinglemalt Spicewell Nandansons International, Inc. Desi Galli 1947 Premium Lager Malai Ice Cream Elements Truffles Kendra Scott Hummingway Kulture Khazana New York City Tourism + Conventions Live Tinted South Asian Bar Association of New York Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices
#diwaliparty #nycevents ... See MoreSee Less
🎉 Get in on the excitement at Diwali on the Hudson’s 10th anniversary! 🎁 Purchase raffle tickets for a shot at winning one of three incredible prizes.
🎟️ 1 ticket = $50
🎟️ 5 tickets = $215
🎟️ 10 tickets = $400
Your chance to win awaits – don't miss out! The proceeds from the raffle support the Desai Foundation's menstrual equity, livelihood, and health initiatives in rural India. ✨
Get yours NOW at doth2023.givesmart.com
#Diwali #DiwaliParty #NYCEvents ... See MoreSee Less
📢 Announcing Arianna Afsar as our Diwali on the Hudson entertainer – prepare for an unforgettable night! ✨🎶🌟
Ari Afsar (she/her) is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller. A graduate of Ethnomusicology from UCLA, Afsar recently released her album distributed by Sony Masterworks. She is the composer of Broadway-bound We Won’t Sleep, as named by Playbill. Afsar has opened for Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinhem, Jane Fonda, Misty Copeland, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Kwan, Ani DiFranco and Bryan Stevenson. Her credits include starring in the top 10 Netflix original movie, “Wedding Season”, co-composing a song with Pasek & Paul & Shawn Mendez in Sony’s upcoming movie “Lyle Lyle Crocodile”, originating Eliza in Chicago's “Hamilton”, starring in the world premiere of “Bhangin’ It” at La Jolla Playhouse, winning Miss California 2010, placing top 10 at Miss America 2011, winning the Lyricist Award at The O'Neill NMTC 2018, and placing top 36 on American Idol.
There are still so many more exciting announcements to come! Diwali on the Hudson tickets sell out every year, and you won't want to miss this spectacular event. Hurry and secure your ticket here: www.doth2023.givesmart.com 🕰️🎟️✨
#diwaliparty #diwali #nycevents ... See MoreSee Less
We were thrilled to have connected with President, Geeta Mehta, and Development Officer, Ilana Kats, from Asia Initiatives, a fellow nonprofit dedicated to making a difference in India. It's always great to have conversations with others who share a similar mission! #CGI2023 ... See MoreSee Less
"It's not an issue that she got her period; it's an issue that it made global headlines," stated Desai Foundation president Megha Desai during her powerful conversation with Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba at this year's Clinton Global Initiative meeting.
Yesterday, the two women, both passionately advocating for expanding access to period products, joined forces to confront the taboos and stigmas surrounding period poverty. They share a vision where menstruators can thrive, and where women and girls at work and school possess the tools they need to not be interrupted by this natural bodily process.
We're so grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this important dialogue. Together, let's shatter barriers and forge fresh paths toward a world without period poverty.
#cgi2023 #clintonglobalinitiative #periodpoverty #menstrualequity #pledgeyourperiod ... See MoreSee Less
The Desai Foundation Follow
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desaifoundation
Mar 31
There’s now just one more month until the movement returns!
It’s more important now than ever to #PledgeYourPeriod with us this May to continue destigmatizing periods and fighting for menstrual equity for the future generations.
To learn more visit PledgeYourPeriod.com. For sponsorship opportunities please email Colby@TheDesaiFoundation.org.
#menstrualequity #menstrualhygiene #menstrualhealth #reproductiverights ...
desaifoundation
Mar 29
We’ve seen the damage and danger that can be done to the mental and physical health, education, livelihood, and dignity of menstruators when they aren`t armed with the right information and tools to manage their periods.
The Desai Foundation will continue to make sure that through menstrual hygiene education, periods won’t hold women and girls back from school, work, or society.
#menstrualhygiene #mhm #menstrualhealth #healthandhygiene ...
desaifoundation
Mar 28
NYC’s premier Diwali Event will return on November 2, 2023! We`re ready to celebrate luck and light by dancing, dining, and partying for a purpose!
Last year we were so lucky to have @rhearaj perform for us! Stay tuned for more to come about this year’s event!
All funds raised from the event will go directly to our programming on the ground! So get ready to join us for the best Diwali on the Hudson yet! Get your tickets today via link in bio.
#eventsnyc #diwali #doth #newyorkevents ...
desaifoundation
Mar 24
Periods are under attack in the United States- visit the links in our bio to read our article on @marieclairemag or learn more about what our Asani Sanitary Napkin Program to achieve #menstrualequity in India.
#pledgeyourperiod #menstrualhealth ...
desaifoundation
Mar 22
We love seeing the women in our #Beautician Skills Training Course, which is held in partnership with @iit_gandhinagar learn and grow!
How would you have them use their skills on you?
#vocationaltraining #beautyskills #cosmetology ...
desaifoundation
Mar 20
We are so excited to announce that this year’s Lotus Festival will be held on September 30th at the Collings Foundation Heritage Museum!
Last year we were so lucky to have @avantinagral and @ninadavuluri !Stay tuned for more to come about this year’s event.
There are limited tickets available, visit the link in our bio to reserve your spot!
#lotusfestival #events #celebration #philanthropy ...
desaifoundation
Mar 17
Since opening in January, our 16 distribution ambassadors and 11 machine operators at our new Lucknow production unit have produced and distributed over 43K sanitary napkins! We are so happy to see this new unit’s big success!
🔗 Please consider making a tax deductible donation to our Asani Sanitary Napkin program! Check the link in bio to make a contribution. Thank you!
#mhm #menstrualhygiene #sanitarynapkin #menstrualequity ...
desaifoundation
Mar 15
Candle & Diya Making is one of the many vocational programs we offer to the women we serve!
Visit our website to learn more about or vocational training.
#skillstraining #vocationaltraining #candlemaking #diya ...
desaifoundation
Mar 13
The myths and taboos many Indian women face today regarding their period didn’t originally come from a place of harm. When people had to work harder in the past, women’s lack of participation in the community was not intended to ostracize them but give them an opportunity to rest from their duties. Over time and due to the influence of colonization and patriarchal ideas, these ideas started to become harmful to the women they were meant to protect.
Would you like to know more about this topic? Let us know in the comments below!
#asani #menstrualequity #sanitarynapkin #clintonglobalinitiative #menstrualpad #menstruation ...
desaifoundation
Mar 11
We are proud to have been featured yesterday in an article by @CNBC! It’s a real honor to be named along side some of the best organizations on the planet like SEWA, @oxfam_india, and @clintonglobal!
To read more about the intersection of Women & Climate, and the crucial role the urban/rural divide plays in holding women back, visit: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/10/india-gender-gap-discrimination-women-bear-brunt-of-climate-change.html?__source=androidappshare ...
desaifoundation
Mar 8
We’re dedicating this #InternationalWomensDay to the fierce women in the locations we serve who fight every day to improve their communities.
We continue to be inspired by their work, and love seeing them #DreamBeyond
Let us know in the comments below who you’re inspired by!
To learn more about how the Desai Foundation works to provide healthcare, vocational opportunities, and menstrual equity initiatives to women in rural India, visit TheDesaiFoundation.org
#DreamBeyond #IWD #WomensHistoryMonth ...
desaifoundation
Mar 8
Happy #Holi from us at the Desai Foundation! ...
desaifoundation
Mar 8
This #InternationalWomensDay, join us in Embracing Equity with @thepadproject! This impactful youth-led organization is helping people all around the world get access to period products, provide menstrual health education workshops, and empower women across the globe.
We are so proud to have a backing of an organization like The Pad Project. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, please consider supporting organizations like us!
To learn more about what the Desai Foundation is doing to #EmbraceEquity in rural India, please visit our website at TheDesaiFoundation.org!
#StigmaStopsWithMe
#ThePadProject
#EndPeriodPoverty
#DreamBeyond ...
desaifoundation
Mar 6
Our Asani Sanitary Napkin Program is the most robust MHM program in the country! Listen to @yati_desai present to former Secretary of State #HillaryClinton on why Asani creates so much impact for women, girls, and for the whole community!
#asani #menstrualequity #sanitarynapkin #clintonglobalinitiative #menstrualpad #menstruation ...
desaifoundation
Mar 3
Jewelry Making Training empowers women, and therefore also their communities, by giving new livelihood opportunities!
What kind of jewelry would you like to see them make? Leave your answer in the comments!
#vocationaltraining #womensempowerment #DreamBeyond #womenhelpingwomen ...
desaifoundation
Mar 2
It`s #IndiaGivingDay! Join us in celebrating an incredible campaign hosted by the India Philanthropy Alliance to advance crucial developmental goals in India. Make a difference by donating, volunteering, or just by learning about the issues facing India today.
Please consider getting involved by donating via the link in our bio! Thank you.
#indiagivingday #philanthropy #changemakers #socialresponsibility #india ...
desaifoundation
Mar 1
At the Desai Foundation we feel like the work we do to enable folks in India to #DreamBeyond speaks for itself. Don’t just take our word for it, though, take a look at what former Secretary of State #HillaryClinton had to say about our Heroes for Humanity program!
#menstrualequity #healtheducation #changemakers #socialresponsibility #heroesforhumanity ...
desaifoundation
Feb 28
Bring dreams to life this March 2nd for #IndiaGivingDay, an annual initiative hosted by the India Philanthropy Alliance! By identifying key issues facing India today, this campaign aims to bring community together and offer sustainable solutions. The Desai Foundation is proud to support this year, and we encourage you to join us!
Please consider getting involved by donating via the link in our bio! Thank you.
#indiagivingday #philanthropy #changemakers #socialresponsibility #india ...
desaifoundation
Feb 24
We are dedicated to making sure that women and their children in the communities we serve have access to the #healthcare they need.
🔗 Please consider making a tax deductible donation to provide more health check-ups! Check the link in bio Thank you!
#healthyliving #healthiswealth #healthywomen #pediatrics ...
desaifoundation
Feb 22
#HeroesforHumanity will continue to grow in 2023!
At last year’s #ClintonGlobalInitiative conference, the Desai Foundation committed to #upskilling our Heroes, bringing #healthcare to rural communities, supporting girls and young women, and bringing #hygiene #education to rural India. This year, we hope to impact an additional 2 million folks to fulfill this commitment!
This is our Help Desk service, which helps folks access their “social security,” PAN cards, and Aadhaar cards.
🔗 Please consider making a tax deductible donation for Heroes for Humanity! Check the link in bio to make a contribution. Thank you!
#mensturalequity #healtheducation #changemakers #socialresponsibility ...