Dishaa Charitable Trust

What Dishaa Charitable Trust does

Dishaa Charitable Trust is a US-domiciled 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax Id 81-061-5729, founded April 2003 in Maryland) that operates as a charitable intermediary channeling US-raised donations to educational and disability-support programs in India. Its India arm, registered as an NGO in 2006, holds an FCRA account at ICICI Bank, West Mambalam, Chennai, which is the legal conduit for cross-border fund flows. The organization is run by founders Suresh Rajagopalan and Suchitra Balasubramanian with a 5-person core team (including Chennai coordinator Sundaram Krishnamurthy and volunteers) and is described as primarily volunteer-driven.

The program portfolio spans two segments. First, student sponsorships at three tiers — primary (~$10/month), high school (~$120/year) and undergraduate/postgraduate ($350-$1,800/year) — routed through partner institutions such as Gnyan Prabodh Trust (621+ students sponsored 2004-2013), PV Selvaraj Girls Higher Secondary School (107+ students), Annai Group of Institutions (24 students), AMOK-UK (14+ students), and eVidyaloka's digital classroom in Andhra Pradesh (42 children). Second, support for institutions serving mentally and physically challenged children, including Gnanadeepam (Pammal, Chennai), Nesam (Arcot, Vellore) and Sri Arunodayam (Chennai, home for ~80 intellectually challenged, abandoned children), through funding for meals, vocational materials, teacher salaries, building maintenance, and Diwali celebrations. Infrastructure funding (e.g., Rs.6 lakhs for Kadiramangalam primary school construction in 2015; Rs.3.5 lakhs for PV Selvaraj classroom construction) has been episodic.

The economic model is donation-based with a hard 100% pass-through to projects: all administrative expenses are funded by the founders personally. Donor acquisition relies on word-of-mouth, personal networks of the founders, community events, and employee-matching programs at 50+ Fortune 500 companies (Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, VMware, JPMorgan Chase, T. Rowe Price). Annual donation receipts have ranged from $3,397 to $33,891 historically, with $5,870 received in 2025 against $8,740 disbursed.

Name

Dishaa Charitable Trust

Legal name

Dishaa Charitable Trust

Website

https://dishaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dishaa Charitable Trust is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2003, that channels US-raised donations to education sponsorships (primary through university) and disability-support programs for underprivileged children across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore, and Pondicherry through partner institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Education Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Charitable education funding
• Student sponsorship programs
• Special needs education
• Nonprofit fundraising services
• Community development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellicott City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Dishaa collects funds from friends, general public, and corporate employee matching programs. All donations received are directed entirely to supporting educational projects in India, as the management funds all administrative expenses personally. Revenue is purely voluntary donations and sponsorship contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dishaa Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donations in the United States and disburses 100% of funds to support educational sponsorships, school infrastructure, and care services for underprivileged and differently-abled children in India through partnerships with established schools, NGOs, and rehabilitation centers. Programs span primary school through undergraduate education, vocational training, and daily care for intellectually and physically challenged children.

Product overview

Dishaa Charitable Trust operates a portfolio of educational sponsorship and support programs for underprivileged and differently-abled children in India. The core offerings include student sponsorships at multiple educational levels (primary school, high school, and college), infrastructure support for schools, and special education programs. Key programs include PV Selvaraj Girls School sponsorship, Annai Group of Institutions sponsorship, Gnyan Prabodh student sponsorships, Gnanadeepam school support, Nesam school for disabled children, Sri Arunodayam home for intellectually challenged children, eVidyaloka digital classroom, Math Lab at Eureka School, and AMOK-UK partnership. Additional offerings include Chennai flood relief donations, Diwali celebrations, and food sponsorship programs. The organization serves as a charitable intermediary, collecting donations and disbursing funds to partner institutions in India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary School Student Sponsorship Monthly sponsorship program at approximately USD 10 per month supporting primary school education for children from low-income families, currently sponsoring 15+ students at Aalpha Primary & Nursery School, Chennai.
• High School Student Sponsorship Annual sponsorship program for Class X students at approximately USD 120 per year (Rs.5000-7000), intended to support students through 11th, 12th grade and undergraduate programs.
• College/University Student Sponsorship Sponsorship of undergraduate and postgraduate students in programs including B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, MCA, M.Sc(CS), B.Sc Nursing, and B.E, with tuition costs ranging from USD 350-1800 per year. Currently sponsoring 20+ students.
• Diwali Sponsorship Annual sponsorship providing new clothes, sweets, and fireworks for students and teachers at Gnanadeepam, Nesam, and Sri Arunodayam during the Diwali festival.
• Food Sponsorship at Sri Arunodayam Sponsorship for meals or food for a day at Sri Arunodayam, a home for approximately 70+ children with disabilities in Chennai.
• PV Selvaraj Girls Higher Secondary School Sponsorship Student sponsorship program and classroom construction (Rs.3,50,000 for 4 classrooms and electrical work) supporting 600+ girl students at PV Selvaraj Girls Higher Secondary School in Thanjavur. 107+ students sponsored across multiple academic years.
• Annai Group of Institutions Sponsorship Sponsorship program for undergraduate students at Annai Group of Institutions in Kumbakonam, supporting degree programs in BCA, B.Com, B.Sc, and B.B.A. 24 students sponsored totaling Rs.6,18,280.
• eVidyaloka Digital Classroom Sponsorship of a digital classroom center in rural Andhra Pradesh through eVidyaloka, providing digital learning infrastructure and volunteer-based teaching for grades 5-7 in mathematics, science, and English. Annual financial commitment of Rs.1.2 lakhs serving 42 children.
• Gnanadeepam School Support Financial support for Gnanadeepam school for special needs children in Pammal, Chennai, funding vocational training materials, salaries for school assistants, and Diwali celebrations. Over Rs.14.5 lakhs disbursed since 2003.
• Nesam School Support Support for Nesam school for children with disabilities in Arcot, Vellore district, providing mid-day meals, school building maintenance, and Diwali celebrations. Supporting ~40 children with disabilities since 2003.
• Sri Arunodayam Support Support for Sri Arunodayam home for ~80 intellectually challenged and abandoned children in Chennai, funding food, medicine, clothing, and Diwali celebrations. Rs.6 lakhs+ disbursed since 2009.
• Math Lab at Eureka School A mathematics laboratory providing hands-on math learning tools and activities for rural children at Eureka Schools near Kalpakkam and Kanchipuram. Sponsorship of Rs.1 lakh+ for setting up the lab.
• Gnyan Prabodh Student Sponsorship Student sponsorship program through Gnyan Prabodh trust, sponsoring 621+ deserving students from low-income backgrounds for primary, secondary, and high school education in Chennai from 2004-2013.
• AMOK-UK Partnership Sponsorship Partnership with A Matter Of Kids (AMOK) based in UK to identify and sponsor deserving students in Bangalore and Pondicherry for education up to university level. 14+ students sponsored for 2014-15 academic year.
• Chennai Flood Relief Emergency relief donations for Chennai flood victims, allowing donors to contribute through PayPal for disaster recovery efforts.

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aided Primary School, KadiramangalamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2015Dishaa donated Rs.6 lakhs (USD10,000) for construction completion of new school building. Trustee Mrs.Rajalakshmi and Suresh attended inauguration as chief guests along with local village panchayat leaders.
• AMOK (A Matter Of Kids)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Dishaa Charitable Trust has tied up with AMOK, a UK-based nonprofit, to identify and sponsor deserving students. MOU signed with AMOK founder Mr.Steve Mills. AMOK supports families in Bangalore and Pondicherry through education sponsorship up to university level. Dishaa provides financial support while AMOK handles identification and coordination through India representative Mrs.Ranjani K Srinivasan in Bangalore.
• eVidyalokacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2013eVidyaloka is a not-for-profit organization transforming rural education in India through digital classrooms. Dishaa Charitable Trust sponsors one digital classroom center at Kishkindapalem, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, supporting 42 children in grades 5-7 with Maths, Science, and English instruction. Annual financial commitment of Rs.1.2 lakhs.
• Eureka School (AID India)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Eureka Nursery and Primary Schools founded in 2006 by AID India and Banca Sella provide quality affordable education to rural children near Kalpakkam and Kanchipuram. Dishaa sponsored a Mathematics Lab for Rs.1 lakh+ with project management by Kavitha Rajaram and volunteers.
• PV Selvaraj Girls Higher Secondary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partnership with PVSGHS in Thanjavur for student sponsorships and infrastructure support. Construction of 4 classrooms and electrical work funded. 107+ students sponsored across multiple academic years. Students completing XII are also sponsored for undergraduate studies.
• Annai Group of InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Partnership with Annai Colleges in Kovilacheri, Kumbakonam for undergraduate student sponsorships. 24 students sponsored for various degree programs (BCA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA) totaling Rs.6,18,280. Top-performing sponsored student achieved over 98% marks.
• Sri ArunodayamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Sri Arunodayam, founded by Mr.Iyyappan and sister Jayachitra, is a home for ~80 intellectually challenged, abandoned children. Dishaa provides food, medicine, clothes, and Diwali celebrations. Rs.6 lakhs+ disbursed since 2009. Building construction supported by Spanish nonprofit.
• Gnyan Prabodh TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Long-standing partnership since 2004 with Gnyan Prabodh, an organization run by enthusiastic young people committed to education. Dishaa fills funding gaps for student sponsorships. Over 621 students sponsored from low-income backgrounds for primary through high school education across multiple years.
• NesamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Nesam is a school for children with disabilities in Arcot, Vellore district, founded by Mr.Srinivasan. Dishaa supports ~40 children with mid-day meals, building maintenance, and Diwali celebrations. Partnership active since 2003.
• GnanadeepamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Gnanadeepam, founded by Mrs.Uma Dhandapani in 1993, provides education to special needs children in Pammal, Chennai. Dishaa funds vocational training materials, salaries for school assistants, and celebrations. Over Rs.14.5 lakhs disbursed since 2003.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AIM for Seva (USA):
• Asha for Education: US-based volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) that funds education projects for underprivileged children across India via grassroots partner NGOs. Most directly comparable peer: similar size, similar pass-through model, similar diaspora donor base, similar reliance on local Indian coordinators.
• Pratham USA: US arm of Pratham, one of the largest NGOs focused on education for underprivileged children in India. Directly comparable mission, similar diaspora-led fundraising, and similar primary/secondary education focus; significantly larger scale than Dishaa.
• Sewa International: Hindu faith-based 501(c)(3) running education, disaster relief, and family services programs in India and the US. Comparable US-registered diaspora nonprofit channeling funds into India; broader scope but overlapping donor demographics.
• Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation USA: US-based nonprofit funding one-teacher schools (Ekal Vidyalayas) in rural India, with a strong volunteer chapter model and grassroots fundraising. Comparable pass-through model supporting rural Indian education via partner teachers/schools.
• CRY America: US chapter of Child Rights and You (CRY), supporting underprivileged children's education, health, and welfare across India. Directly comparable US-registered nonprofit funding Indian child welfare programs through partner NGOs.
• American India Foundation: US-based nonprofit supporting education, livelihood, and public health programs across India. Comparable US-registered diaspora nonprofit with education focus; substantially larger scale, more diversified programs, and institutional donor base.
• Manav Seva Foundation: Small US-based volunteer-run nonprofit supporting education and welfare of underprivileged children, including in India. Closely comparable in size, volunteer-driven structure, and education-focused grantmaking to partner schools in India.
• Shishu Mandir: US-based nonprofit supporting children's homes, schools, and vocational training programs primarily in India. Comparable diaspora nonprofit with multi-tier sponsorship programs and partner-based operating model.

Emerging players

• eVidyaloka Trust: India-based nonprofit running digital classrooms in rural India; Dishaa is an active partner/sponsor of one of eVidyaloka's centers. Comparable in mission (rural Indian education) and serves as both a partner and a thematic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Dishaa/140315377722
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dishaa-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dishaa Charitable Trust