The Desai Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and children through community programs and initiatives. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to create lasting change and provide opportunities for growth and development.
We focus on empowering women by providing vocational skills training and support to help them become self-reliant. From vocational skill training to entrepreneurship programs, we aim to foster independence and create a sustainable future.
We believe in action. We believe in making a difference, one step at a time. Through our various projects, we strive to improve access to health, livelihood, and menstrual equity for those who need it most.
But we don’t stop there. Our commitment extends to children as well. We believe that every child deserves a chance to succeed. That’s why we provide educational support which includes real time exposure and foundational building blocks, alongside health support and mentoring programs to help them cultivate dignity and reach their full potential.
We are driven by a sense of purpose and guided by our core values: compassion, integrity, and collaboration. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to create a real, tangible impact in the communities we serve.
 In 1997, the Desai Foundation’s story began – ignited by the vision of Samir A. Desai and Nilima Desai. Their mission was simple yet profound: to give back to the communities that had shaped them.
Desai, a tech entrepreneur, focused their efforts in two geographic areas – the place that was home, and the place that is now home. Their efforts focused on the Metro Boston & Harlem, NY areas, as well as the rural communities of Gujarat.
In its first decade, the Desai Foundation built strong partnerships with its partners on the ground and began to build innovative, impactful, and sustainable programming.
After they tested their programs, they converted to a public non-profit to scale and expand their work. In 2014, it became a public, programmatic organization implementing 15 programs in Gujarat. Today, the Desai Foundation operates in 8 States across India, implementing over 30 programs, impacting millions of lives.
We believe that the best solutions for impact come from within the community itself. It’s why our work focuses on cultivating the dignity of the people we serve by strengthening its leadership and building sustainable programming so that everyone can dream beyond their circumstances.
I’m Geetaben Patel from Pardi village, Valsad district. At 45, I’ve faced many challenges but always believed in staying strong. I used to work with a group that helped people, but COVID-19 changed everything, and I lost my job. Then, I met the Desai Foundation two years ago, and I really liked their vision. I joined them, and now I’m happy, energetic, and inspiring those around me. My story is about staying strong, finding new ways, and caring for others. It shows that one person’s determination can make life better for many.
I’m Sohani Jat, 20, from Nohata village, Rajasthan. My family relies on farming, and my parents are illiterate. Due to our economic situation, I had to halt my education after the 12th grade. Until recently, I used cloth during my periods, unaware of proper menstrual hygiene practices.
But a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) session through The Desai Foundation Trust’s Heroes for Humanity program changed everything. I learned about menstrual hygiene, the menstrual cycle, and the importance of good hygiene to prevent diseases. I wholeheartedly appreciate the organization’s efforts and urge them to continue the MHM Awareness program.
I’m Jyoti Yadav from Jhilai village in Rajasthan. I’m 19 years old, studying in my final year of college. My parents are farmers, and life is tough.
During the pandemic, things got even harder. I didn’t know much about menstrual hygiene, and nobody talked about it in our village. But thanks to a session by the Heroes for Humanity program, I learned why it’s so important. Now, I use sanitary pads, and I want to tell other women about it too. I’m grateful for the help and hope they continue this initiative.
I’m Payal Pareekh, a 20-year-old from Jhilai village in Rajasthan. I completed my 12th standard, but I didn’t know much about managing money or even the importance of having a bank account. Then, someone from the Desai Foundation Trust came to our village and talked to us about financial literacy. They explained how to save money, the different types of bank accounts, and how to avoid scams.
I was so happy to learn about this. It made me feel more confident and in control of my finances. Now, I know how to make better decisions with my money. Thanks to the Desai Foundation Trust for teaching me these important things.
I’m Sowmiya, 18, from Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, studying B.Sc. Maths. My parents can’t read or write, and I have siblings with limited education. I faced a scholarship application issue due to the lack of a PAN card, and the deadline was looming. The Desai Foundation Trust’s Heroes came to my rescue, explaining its importance and helping me apply.
Their support was incredible. I got my PAN card in time, securing the scholarship that aids my education. I’m grateful for their help and even guided my college friends. My family and I extend a big thanks to the Desai Foundation Trust.
Bihar Goyal, a 30-year-old from Lonsara Khurd village in Madhya Pradesh, is supporting his family through daily-wage farm labor. The Desai Foundation’s help desk camp in his village provided valuable assistance: PAN cards, Ayushman cards, and e-Shramik cards.
Bihar registered for a labor card, but an accident with a tractor left him with a severe leg injury. His labor card provided instant relief of Rs. 2 Lakhs and enrollment in the Economic Benefit Scheme, offering Rs. 1,000 per month. He’s grateful for the Desai Foundation’s Heroes for Humanity program, benefiting from the housing scheme associated with the labor card. Bihar is thankful for the Desai Foundation’s unwavering support.
I am Preet, I am studying in 6th STD in Joravasan school. All the children from my school attended Bal Health Mela at Shantaben Vidhyabhavan. I got my dental check-up, bad habit, good habits workshop, use of a first aid kit, good food-bad food and most important information on primary health care.
Padma, a resilient 61-year-old from Marathikoppa, Sirsi. Her vision challenges didn’t deter her dedication to work. But daily tasks and commuting became difficult due to her blurring vision. Padma attended an eye checkup camp by the Desai Foundation and partners. Thorough examinations revealed cataracts in her right eye.
On May 1, 2023, she had a successful cataract surgery, transforming her life. Now, she confidently navigates even at night, free from vision challenges. With your support, the Desai Foundation empowers individuals like Padma, ensuring equal opportunities for all to thrive.
I’m Renu Naruka, a 21-year-old from Bhanwata village, Rajasthan. After facing challenges, I had to discontinue my education after the 8th grade. But I didn’t give up on my dreams. Later, I resumed my studies and started a BA degree at a Niwai college. Here’s where the HFH program became a game-changer. I became a Community Facilitator and realized the importance of computer literacy.
I joined the Computer Skill Training program, which meant a daily 10-kilometer journey. Before this, I didn’t even know how to start a computer. But after three months of dedication, I gained essential computer skills. Thanks to this opportunity, I’ve opened up new horizons and feel more confident about my future.
I’m Shital, a 25-year-old housewife from Selu block, Parbhani district. After facing family responsibilities following my marriage, I couldn’t pursue my dreams. However, with my husband’s support, I joined beautician classes at SKF office in Selu.
I fulfilled my dream of becoming a makeup artist two years after our daughter was born by completing a 3-month beautician training course. My husband encouraged me to start a home-based beauty parlor. For the past 3-4 months, I’ve been earning 2000 to 3000 Rupees monthly while taking care of my child and managing household chores.
I’m Divya, a resident of Korlakatta village in Sirsi. My family faced tough times due to my father’s paralysis and financial struggles. I always had a passion for sewing, but family circumstances prevented me from pursuing it as a job. Fortunately, the foundation organized a sewing training program in Halagadde Panchayat, which I eagerly attended from February 23 to April 23, 2023.
During the training, I gained valuable sewing skills, allowing me to create various garments like blouses, kurtas, and baby frocks. What’s even better is that I can do this work from the comfort of my home. In just one month, I managed to earn ₹15,000 by taking sewing orders from others.
We were beyond honored to have former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, visit the programing of the Desai Foundation! During the visit in Gandhinagar, Secretary Clinton met 40 Heroes from Heroes for Humanity, many of whom shared their stories. We were also thrilled to share our Asani Sanitary Napkin Program with Secretary Clinton, who was able to see a portion of an Asani Awareness Session, and hear the stories of our Asani Sales Ambassadors.
As one of the longest running Diwali parties in NYC, Desai Foundations Diwali on the Hudson is having its tenth anniversary in 2023 – a landmark celebration! Desai Foundation also expanded to Karnataka and achieved impacting nearly 7 million people in the last 9 years.
Desai Foundation brought its programming to Odisha and was proud to reach 25 years of programmatic success, having impacted over 5 million people since going public in 2014 with 31 programs, produced 3.7 million Asani sanitary napkins, served 2,500 communities, and had 4,778 people attend various Desai Foundation fundraisers. Here’s to 25 more!
n the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Desai Foundation pivoted to address the devastating effects it was having in India by developing the Heroes for Humanity (HFH) Program with support from S.P. Hinduja Banque Privee. In its first year, the HFH program impacted nearly 3 million people with help desk services, vaccinations, menstrual health management awareness, & supply distribution, expanding Desai Foundation to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, & Tamil Nadu. Outside of HFH, the cumulative impact number rose to a record 3 million people!
Various campaigns were implemented in 2020 to encourage international attention and action on various COVID-19 and menstrual disparities in India and beyond. These include Masks of Hope, The Bloody Truth Campaign, and more. The Desai Foundation was finding other ways to reach those that need it most in a critical time. In this year, Desai Foundation hit a milestone of impacting 1.4 million people with its various programs.
The Asani Sanitary Napkin Program, Summer Camps, Hygiene Training Program, Health Camps, Vision and Gynecological services, and Bal Health Mala were all expanded to Rajasthan and Maharashtra in 2019.
Pledge Your Period is an awareness campaign designed to strip away the shame around periods, helping to end the cycle of period stigma and poverty; With this campaign, which takes place across social media platforms, more than 37 million people have been reached with impactful information and stories from both bleeders and non-bleeders to normalize menstruation for everyone.
Perhaps the most notable program to date, the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program was brought to reality in 2017, giving women in rural India the opportunity to fulfill their menstrual product needs in an accessible way while also providing them training and work opportunities in the Asani facilities. In its first year, the Asani program produced 120,000 sanitary products. The Desai Foundation had already been working in Menstrual Equity since 2012, but launched this unique and transformative program, and the Asani Sanitary Napkin brand in 2017.
To better impact people on the ground in India, and to comply with the new regulations, the Desai Foundation Trust was born in 2016 with its headquarters in Navsari, Gujarat. Also notable in this year, Desai Foundation started its annual Lotus Festival, implemented mobile health vans in Gujarat, and launched Desai Foundation + IIT Gandhinagar partnership.
By 2014, Desai Foundation, which at the time was in one state and 250 villages, made the unusual decision to pivot from a family foundation to a public one in order to grow and expand its programs. We converted to a public programmatic non-profit so that we could collaborate, scale and grow. We also narrowed our focus to health, livelihood and menstrual equity.
In 2011, Desai Foundation made new commitments to its programs in India with a focus on education and health, while also expanding in Gujarat from Vapi to Gandhinagar. Desai Foundation also inaugurated Shantaben Vidyabhavan, a school that offered STEM classes for children, serving 20+ villages and over 40,000 people. Desai Foundation’s model to pilot concepts and programs were also designed; there was a record completion in 11 months of a functional, state of the art science high school.
By 2003, Desai Foundation entered Gujarat, India with a partnership with Hansa Community Development Center. Programs launched in rural India on health, education, and livelihood and over 9,000 people were impacted by them.
In 1997, Desai Foundation (then The Desai Family Foundation) was born to support health, livelihood and preserve Indian culture. It was designed to support programs both in the United States (specifically Massachusetts & New York), and India (specially Gujarat).The organizations Desai Foundation initially partnered with upon its birth include Columbia University, Lasalle University, Peabody Essex Museum, Middlesex Community College, and Lahey Hospital, among others. In its first year Desai Foundation impacted 1,000 people.
This comprehensive document outlines our work, impact, objectives, approach, and goals in the current year and moving forward. We hope you take a few moments to learn about our programs in India.
At the Desai Foundation, our commitment to fostering meaningful impact drives us to design and implement a diverse range of programs that touch the lives of individuals and communities.
Our programming focused on health, livelihood, menstrual equity, and community engagement. We do this by ensuring that our programs cultivate dignity and create an impact for the people we serve. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, we create lasting change that resonates far beyond our projects’ boundaries.
The Desai Foundation is an organization that empowers women and children through community programming to elevate health, livelihood, and menstrual equity in rural India.
300 Tradecenter, Suite 3450 Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781)-270-3655
Email: info@thedesaifoundation.org
© 2023 Desai Foundation. All rights reserved.
DESAI FOUNDATION is a registered 501(c)3 organization
Tax ID#: 04-3433749 80(G)
Registration Number: E-31940(M) PAN Number: AACTT7301H
