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Host a Cocktails + Chaat Party

All you need are 20 of your friends, drinks, and some chaat! We’ll provide the Desai Foundation materials!
Toolkit

Host a Cocktails + Chaat Party

Donate Your Birthday

Donate Your Birthday

Creating a birthday campaign is a piece of cake.
Have your friends & family give the gift of
health & livelihood!
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PLEDGE YOUR PERIOD

We invite you to #PledgeYourPeriod
to provide girls in rural India with access to
menstrual health products. Make a donation
& share the message of why YOU pledge your period!" Take The Pledge

PLEDGE YOUR PERIOD

PLEDGE YOUR PERIOD

Volunteer

Volunteer

We are always looking for volunteers to contribute their time, ideas and energy to our causes. If you are interested, please email info@thedesaifoundation.org
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Intern

Our internship program provides opportunities for students and recent graduates to enhance their abilities while receiving the satisfaction of contributing to a greater cause. We encourage talented and motivated students and recent graduates to submit their cover letter and resume to info@thedesaifoundation.org or
Apply

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Connect with us

Connect with us

The Desai Foundation
209 Burlington Rd, Suite 217
Bedford, MA 01730

info@thedesaifoundation.org
(781) 270-3655

The Desai Foundation

Desai Foundation

Friday January 15th

We are so grateful to @ChaiMommas and @UnitySME for their fundraiser over the holiday season, which resulted in us being able to distribute dental hygiene kits to over 700 children in rural India! Each kit contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue cleaner, toothbrush tracker, a dental care booklet and a face mask. We were also able to provide dental care awareness sessions to small groups of children during the distribution..#fridaywins #philanthropy #socialcauses #dogood#womensempowerment #fundraising #india #childrenshealth #dentalhygiene ... See MoreSee Less

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Desai Foundation

Thursday January 14th

One of the most important harvest days in India, the festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, signaling to farmers that the harvest season is approaching. In Gujarat, kites fill the skies as whole families gather on the rooftops to compete against their neighbors. We wish you a high-flying harvest and abundant season ahead! .#uttarayan #harvest #india #MakarSankranti #gujarat #kitefestival #desaifoundation ... See MoreSee Less

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Desai Foundation

Thursday January 14th

Sadly, we are all too aware of the fact that women around the world have to choose between purchasing period products and food, diapers and other equally essential items, meaning they must miss school or work while on their period. Unfortunately, this situation has only been exacerbated by a pandemic which has had a disproportionately negative effect on the social and financial well-being of women. This is one of the reasons we launched our Asani Sanitary Napkin program, which employs women in rural India to manufacture and distribute low-cost, high-quality sanitary napkins, simultaneously educating women about their periods and breaking down the shame associated with them. Furthermore, since March, we have distributed over 450,000 sanitary napkins for free to women in rural India who might not have otherwise had access to proper menstrual supplies during the pandemic.We hope that other places might follow the examples set by countries like Canada, Australia, South Africa and India that have abolished the 'tampon tax', but in the meantime, we will continue fighting to end the stigma and ensure that no woman or girl in rural India or the US has to miss work or school because of her period. Grace Meng https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/us/tampons-pads-period.html ... See MoreSee Less

Many Lack Access to Pads and Tampons. What Are Lawmakers Doing About It?

www.nytimes.com

For decades, policymakers were largely silent about the issue of “period poverty.” But that’s shifting as some devise policies that make menstrual products more accessible.

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Desai Foundation

Wednesday January 13th

Thank you to Kiersten Marek and Philanthropy Women for this great write-up about "The State of Giving to Women's & Girls' Causes" event which featured our President, Megha Desai. In case you missed the live discussion on December 17th, you can watch the recording here and learn more about the findings from the Women's Philanthropy Institute's Women & Girls Index report, which found that funding for women and girls is a mere 1.6% of all philanthropic contributions. ... See MoreSee Less

Leaders Discuss Using WPI Research to Fund Women and Girls ~ Philanthropy Women

philanthropywomen.org

Feminist giving leaders discuss the current state of funding for women and girls in the US and ways to increase gender lens giving.

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Desai Foundation

Wednesday January 6th

We couldn't agree more and are excited to begin bringing all that we have learned through our efforts to increase access to period products and education in rural India, to the US! Philanthropy Women ... See MoreSee Less

As Countries Fund New Ways to End Period Poverty, the US Stands Still

philanthropywomen.org

When it comes to funding period poverty, the world still has a long way to go. We discuss recent strategies and funding efforts.

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The Desai Foundation Follow

Desai Foundation @DesaiFoundation·

We are so proud of the efforts made in the villages of Vansda and Mandvi, where 6 Menstrual Hygiene Management awareness sessions have been held in Dec 2020 for 77 beneficiaries! This year, we hope to continue our educational projects in order to promote healthy periods for all.

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Desai Foundation @DesaiFoundation·

Thanks to @WGVURadio (an @NPR affiliate) and @irwinsh for having our President, @Meghatron5, on this morning to talk about periods and our Masks for Hope initiative! #NPR #WGVU #desaifoundation #radiointerview
https://tinyurl.com/y2rzxt7h

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Desai Foundation @DesaiFoundation·

We are so grateful to @ChaiMommas and Unity SME for their fundraiser over the holiday season, which resulted in us being able to distribute dental hygiene kits to over 700 children in rural India! #fridaywins #philanthropy #childrenshealth #dentalhygiene 3

Reply on Twitter 1350126282378510340 Retweet on Twitter 13501262823785103401 Like on Twitter 13501262823785103402 Twitter 1350126282378510340

The Desai Foundation

As an organization, one of our top priorities is s

As an organization, one of our top priorities is spreading educational resources about menstruation management in our target communities. This is why we are so proud of the efforts made in the villages of Vansda and Mandvi, in which 6 Menstrual Hygiene Management awareness sessions have been held in December 2020 for a total of 77 beneficiaries! This year, we hope to continue our educational projects in order to promote healthy periods for all. .
#fridaywins #philanthropy #menstruationeducation #socialcauses #dogood
#womensempowerment #fundraising #india

We are so grateful to @ChaiMommas and @UnitySME fo

We are so grateful to @ChaiMommas and @UnitySME for their fundraiser over the holiday season, which resulted in us being able to distribute dental hygiene kits to over 700 children in rural India! Each kit contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue cleaner, toothbrush tracker, a dental care booklet and a face mask. We were also able to provide dental care awareness sessions to small groups of children during the distribution. .
#fridaywins #philanthropy #socialcauses #dogood
#womensempowerment #fundraising #india #childrenshealth #dentalhygiene

One of the most important harvest days in India, t

One of the most important harvest days in India, the festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, signaling to farmers that the harvest season is approaching. In Gujarat, kites fill the skies as whole families gather on the rooftops to compete against their neighbors. We wish you a high-flying harvest and abundant season ahead!
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#uttarayan #harvest #india #MakarSankranti #gujarat #kitefestival #desaifoundation

According to a recent U-Report poll of 3,910 girls

According to a recent U-Report poll of 3,910 girls and young women from 160 countries, menstrual hygiene management has become a key issue for many women and girls during the pandemic. This is why we have been working to distribute our Asani Sanitary Napkins free of charge to the women in rural India who need them most, during this Pandemic and beyond. Click the link in our bio to learn more and make a difference by donating to this program. @WASHUnited @menstrualhygieneday .
#menstrualmonday #endperiodpoverty #periodsdontstopforpandemics #asanisanitarynapkin #endperiodshame #girlsempowerment #womensempowerment #india

2020 was a wild ride, but we’re looking forward

2020 was a wild ride, but we’re looking forward to a better and brighter 2021! Here are just a few things we’re looking forward to in the New Year: **Expanding our Board - direct message us if you have a great candidate!** **Expanding our Asani Sanitary Napkin Program to new states in India** **Ensuring our Health & Hygiene programs reach as many people as possible - especially during this critical time** **Connecting with you through campaigns like Pledge Your Period and events like Diwali on the Hudson & the Lotus Festival**
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#desaifoundation #womensempowerment #womenshealth #childrenshealth #livelihood #india #happynewyear #2021

If you still need to wrap up your holiday shopping

If you still need to wrap up your holiday shopping - check out these amazing holiday gifts from some of our favorite brands. We are so grateful that @inkidzco is donating 20% of their sales to us this holiday season, and 5% of every sale of a Gujarati toy from @theheritagesupplyco will go toward helping the women and children we serve in rural India. So you can do some good while checking off everyone on your list 🙂 @pajamasutra @ranavat @moditoys @shopsoothi @playosmo @desigalli

Despite the challenges this year has presented, we

Despite the challenges this year has presented, we are so proud of the many things we’ve been able to accomplish in 2020, including not laying off any employees and getting a new Asani Sanitary Napkin unit up and running in Rajasthan! Just through the end of the day today, all new monthly donations will be TRIPLED thanks to @GlobalGiving - so make sure to follow the link in our bio to have your donation help create three times as many pads, masks & vocational opportunities to the women who need them most! .
#globalgiving #womensempowerment
#menstrualhygiene

This giving season, give women in rural India the

This giving season, give women in rural India the awareness, education and products they need for a healthy period by donating to our Asani Sanitary Napkin program. This week only, become a new monthly donor for as little as $10/month and you will be helping us provide necessary menstrual hygiene awareness, education and products to 60 women for the 1st month, and to 40 women every month thereafter, thanks to the @GlobalGiving monthly donor drive campaign.* Sign up here: https://bit.ly/GG_Asani *All new monthly donations are tripled for the 1st month and then doubled thereafter. Monthly plan must be active for at least 4 months in order to qualify for the triple match .
#globalgiving #womensempowerment #menstrualhygiene #menstrualeducation #asani

What does $15/month buy you? For next week only, w

What does $15/month buy you? For next week only, when you sign up as a new MONTHLY donor on @globalgiving , all donations are TRIPLED* so that just $15 will fund the production of 720 pads for women in rural India, who might not otherwise have access to proper menstrual hygiene products. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/GG_Asani *All new monthly donations are tripled for the 1st month and then doubled thereafter. Monthly plan must be active for at least 4 months in order to qualify for the triple match

Thanks to your support of our #givingbacktowomen f

Thanks to your support of our #givingbacktowomen for #givingtuesday campaign, we EXCEEDED our goal and will be able to produce 1 million more life-saving face masks (in addition to the 700,000 already produced), simultaneously providing even more livelihood opportunities for women in rural India. Thank you also to our friends at @ranavat @pajamasutra @shopsoothi @theheritagesupplyco @menstrual.movement @inkidzco and @rukusavenueradio for making this possible!

It saddens us to know that, of the total $396.5 bi

It saddens us to know that, of the total $396.5 billion given in charitable donations in the US in 2016, only 1.6% of that was given to philanthropic organizations which benefit women and girls. But TODAY, you have the power to help us change that by choosing to give back to women in honor of Giving Tuesday and donate to our Masks of HOPE initiative. Over the past few weeks, we have introduced you to Rupali, Sheetal, Anjana and Anitka, who are just a few of the women your donation will be helping to gain and maintain their financial independence, while also giving back to their communities. Donate now at bit.ly/giveback2women
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#givingbacktowomen #givingtuesday #ranavat #womancrushwednesday #womensempowerment #livelihood #india #masksofhope

Having no prior experience in sewing, Anitka joine

Having no prior experience in sewing, Anitka joined our 8-week sewing training from November 2019 to January of this year. Because of the skills she learned in the class, she was able to join our Masks of HOPE program and is now financially responsible for her family of 4. She is also helping our team implement the program on a larger scale so that even more women can benefit from the opportunity. In honor of Giving Tuesday tomorrow, we invite you to share below about a woman who has inspired you over the past 8 months. And give back to women like Anitka, whose strength & perseverance has been an inspiration to us all, by donating to the Desai Foundation. Through tomorrow, all donations will be TRIPLED thanks to @ranavat @shopsoothi and @pajamasutra ! Follow the link in our bio to donate now.

This Thanksgiving, we’re feeling very thankful f

This Thanksgiving, we’re feeling very thankful for all of our donors and supporters who make our work possible. Thanks to you, we have served over 870 communities, directly impacted more than 106,000 lives and produced over 1 million sanitary napkins this year. We also launched our Masks of HOPE program, providing hundreds of women in rural India with jobs and producing over 700,000 life-saving face masks to date!
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We can’t thank you enough for your support and wish you a happy & healthy Thanksgiving!

Meet Anjana - since the start of the pandemic, she

Meet Anjana - since the start of the pandemic, she has recruited and trained 9 other women to join our Masks of HOPE program! Together, she and her team have prepared 15,000 double layered masks, and she alone has produced 3,600 masks. With the skills and money earned through Masks of HOPE, she has bought her a new sewing machine and plans to start her own business when the pandemic is over. Leading up to Giving Tuesday on December 1st, we invite you to give back to women like Anjana, whose strength & perseverance has been an inspiration to us all, by donating to the Desai Foundation’s Giving Back to Women campaign. Just for this week, all donations will be DOUBLED by @shopsoothi, guaranteeing that we can provide additional safe & sustainable livelihood opportunities to even more women like Anjana. Follow the link in our bio or donate here bit.ly/giveback2women now! #givingbacktowomen #givingtuesday #womensempowerment #livelihood #india #masksofhope

Thank you to @MonicaDogra for all of her support o

Thank you to @MonicaDogra for all of her support of our work elevating the health and livelihood of women and children in rural India and the US. We hope she might inspire you to help us continue #givingbacktowomen through our Giving Tuesday campaign. Follow the link in our bio or donate here: bit.ly/giveback2women #givingbacktowomen #givingtuesday #womensempowerment #india #womenshealth #livelihood #philanthropy #dogood #socialcauses #fundraiser #desaifoundation #thankyouthursday

Meet Rupali, who lives in the Nanded district of M

Meet Rupali, who lives in the Nanded district of Maharashtra with her family. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has become the sole income source for her family. Luckily, she found our Masks of HOPE program, which provides her with a flexible livelihood opportunity so that she can earn an income while also taking care of her family and giving back to her community. In honor of Giving Tuesday on December 1st, we invite you to share on social media about a woman who has inspired you over the past 8 months. And give back to women like Rupali, whose strength & perseverance has been an inspiration to us all, by donating to the Desai Foundation this month. And for the rest of the month, your donations will be DOUBLED by @Ranavat, guaranteeing that we can provide additional safe & sustainable livelihood opportunities to even more women like Rupali! #givingbacktowomen #givingtuesday #ranavat #womancrushwednesday #womensempowerment #livelihood #india #masksofhope

This year has presented us all with unforeseen cha

This year has presented us all with unforeseen challenges, which is why we are sending you an extra dose of love and light to you this Diwali — and beyond. We are sad not to be able to celebrate with all of you at Diwali on the Hudson in NYC or Cal-Diwali in San Francisco as we did last year, but we hope you are finding some creative ways to safely celebrate and honor the joyful spirit of this holiday from home. Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak from all of us at the Desai Foundation!
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#happydiwali #diwali #diwali2020 #festivaloflights #health #prosperity #diwalionthehudson #calidiwali #desaifoundation

"Due to Covid-19 and the lockdown being enforced,

"Due to Covid-19 and the lockdown being enforced, many people’s employment opportunities have decreased significantly…. the Desai Foundation Trust has provided tribal (aadiwaasi) women with a training workshop to develop various types of useful products... [they] have planted seeds for these women to become entrepreneurs and have provided opportunities for economic employment." — Divya Bhaskar Newspaper, 10/31/20 @dainikbhaskar_
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We are so proud that our candle-making workshops have proven to be a safe and sustainable way for women in rural India to continue on the path toward financial independence, even during the pandemic. Through this program, our staff visits different villages in Navsari and Dang and trains women how to make simple candles within just 3 days. Learn more and donate to this program at www.desaifoundation.org (link in bio)
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#candles #diya #livelihood #india #fridaywins #womensempowerment #womensemployment #diwali #happydiwali #diwali2020 #desaifoundation

So many good memories from Diwali on the Hudson fr

So many good memories from Diwali on the Hudson from last year! Thanks again to those who helped to make it such a memorable night. @kuttigang @djsuhel @Nihalsinghlive @1947beer @titosvodka @corgispirits @amrutmalt @lovewinesus @desigalli @rajbhogfoodsinc
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We are sad not to be able to gather with all of you this year, but we are sending you an extra dose of love and light and hoping you are finding some creative ways to safely celebrate and honor the joyful spirit of this holiday from home.
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#diwali #happydiwali #diwalionthehudson #desaifoundation #philanthropy #womensempowerment #empoweringwomen #womeninindia #womenshealth #childrenshealth #nonprofit #fundraising #dogood #changetheworld #giveback #socialgood #education #bethechange #ngo #instagood #makeadifference

Before the Pandemic, Sheetal was was already havin

Before the Pandemic, Sheetal was was already having trouble providing for her two children. Through our Masks of HOPE program, she has been able to not only provide for her family but also give back to her community, helping her to feel empowered and respected by her community as well. In honor of Giving Tuesday on December 1st, we invite you to give back to women like Sheetal, whose strength & perseverance has been an inspiration to us all, by donating to the Desai Foundation this month. And just for this week, all of your donations will be DOUBLED thanks to our friends at @pajamasutra - guaranteeing that we can provide a livelihood opportunity to even more women and also produce & distribute more face masks! Donate now at bit.ly/giveback2women
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#givingbacktowomen #givingtuesday #womensempowerment #livelihood #india #masksofhope #pajamasutra

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