Karuna Foundation
Karuna Foundation is a Dutch ANBI charity that supports Karuna Foundation Nepal's Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program across all 137 municipalities of Koshi Province, serving children and adults with disabilities through community-based rehabilitation, ANC/PNC services, and pediatric screening, with replication underway in five additional low- and middle-income countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersKathmandu, Nepal
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Karuna Foundation does
Karuna Foundation operates through two coordinated legal entities: Karuna Foundation Nepal, the originating implementing organization founded in 2007 by social entrepreneurs Deepak Raj Sapkota and Yogendra Giri, and Stichting Karuna-NL (KarunaNL Foundation), a Dutch ANBI-registered charitable foundation headquartered in Amsterdam that channels international funding, supervises responsible spending, and provides technical oversight. Together they deliver the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DPRP), a Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach originally piloted as Inspire2Care in 15 villages of Kavre, Sunsari, and Rasuwa (2008-2015) and replicated across Ilam district before scaling.
DPRP runs in two phases: Phase 1 (2019-2024) across 58 municipalities of Koshi Province, and DPRP 2.0 (July 2023 - December 2027) across the remaining 59 municipalities, achieving full coverage of all 137 municipalities in Koshi by July 2024. The program pursues three objectives: prevent physical and mental disabilities in newborns and schoolchildren, improve care and rehabilitation for children and adults with disabilities, and strengthen local care systems so municipal governments can sustain the program independently after a three-year transition. Municipalities provide direct implementation; Karuna Foundation Nepal (a team of around 90) provides training, advice, and co-financing for two years and advisory support in the third year before exit.
The business model is foundation grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue comes from a consortium of at least ten Dutch foundations (Ineke Feitz Stichting, Weeshuis der Doopsgezinden, Stichting Perspectief, UBS Optimus Foundation, Hofstee Foundation, Warm Nest Foundation, Fundatie Charitas, Stichting KiMi, Stichting Summerfund, Wilde Ganzen) plus public-sector co-funding from the Koshi Province government, the 137 individual municipalities, and the federal Government of Nepal. Services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries — children and adults with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, and schoolchildren — through municipal health workers (380 trained via Medic Mobile) and Community-Based Rehabilitation Facilitators (CBRFs) using the partner-developed RehApp and the in-house Knowledge & Evidence Lab. The model is being replicated internationally via local NGOs in Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and is also being introduced with UNICEF Nepal in provinces 2 and 6.
Karuna Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Karuna Foundation
- Legal name
- Karuna Foundation Netherlands (Stichting Karuna-NL)
- Website
- https://karunafoundation.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Karuna Foundation is a Dutch ANBI charity that supports Karuna Foundation Nepal's Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program across all 137 municipalities of Koshi Province, serving children and adults with disabilities through community-based rehabilitation, ANC/PNC services, and pediatric screening, with replication underway in five additional low- and middle-income countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Karuna Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community-Based Rehabilitation and Disability Prevention Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Karuna Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kathmandu
- HQ country
- Nepal
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Karuna Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Donations: Funding from Dutch foundations including Ineke Feitz Stichting, Stichting Weeshuis der Doopsgezinden, Stichting Perspectief, Hofstee Foundation, Warm Nest Foundation, Fundatie Charitas, Stichting KiMi, Stichting Summerfund, Wilde Ganzen, and UBS Optimus Foundation
- Government Co-funding: Co-funding from Koshi Province, municipalities, and Federal Government of Nepal - Province, municipalities, and federal government allocated total budget of €1.15 million for the program in fiscal year 2024
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Karuna Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Karuna Foundation operates the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DPRP) in Nepal, delivering disability prevention, rehabilitation, and social-inclusion services through municipal governments and community-based rehabilitation facilitators. The foundation provides training, technical advice, co-financing, and implementation support to municipalities, with a co-financing-and-exit model under which local governments assume responsibility and funding for the program after three years. The foundation's portfolio also covers the original Inspire2Care pilot program and the Knowledge and Evidence Lab (K&E Lab) knowledge-sharing platform.
Product overview
Karuna Foundation operates two main programmatic offerings: the Inspire2Care Program (the original pilot program for disability prevention and rehabilitation) and its scaled successor, the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DPRP). DPRP has two phases: Phase 1 (2019-2024) covering 58 municipalities, and Phase 2.0 (2023-2027) covering 59 additional municipalities. Supporting these programs is the Knowledge and Evidence Lab, which serves as a resource and training center. The organization also utilizes tools including Medic Mobile for health worker data collection and the RehApp for community-based rehabilitation facilitators. All programs follow the WHO-developed Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DPRP) A community-based program to prevent physical and mental disabilities in newborns and schoolchildren, improve care and rehabilitation for children and adults with disabilities, and strengthen local healthcare systems. Delivered through municipal partnerships in Koshi Province with training, advice, co-financing, and implementation support from Karuna Foundation Nepal. DPRP Phase 1 ran 2019-2024 in 58 municipalities; DPRP 2.0 runs July 2023 to December 2027 in an additional 59 municipalities, achieving full 137-municipality coverage by July 2024.
- Inspire2Care Program The original pilot program developed by Karuna Foundation in Nepal, implemented in Kavre, Sunsari, and Rasuwa districts (2008-2015) and replicated in all ten municipalities of Ilam district from 2015 onwards. Provided disability prevention and rehabilitation services and produced the evidence base that informed the scale-up into the DPRP.
- Knowledge and Evidence Lab (K&E Lab) A knowledge-sharing center developed by Karuna Nepal to pool and disseminate all knowledge, insights, e-learning modules, RehApp, and technical-assistance materials from the DPRP program for CBRFs, municipalities, partner organizations, and other disability-sector stakeholders.
Quantifiable outcome
- 62% reduction in birth defects in Inspire2Care communities
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Karuna Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Karuna Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Karuna Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, supporting and minor.
- Government of Nepal (Koshi Province)coreAllocated €730,000 for DPRP 2.0 in next fiscal year. Government has adopted and funds the Inspire2Care/DPRP program.
- UNICEF NepalflagshipCollaboration to introduce DPRP with focus on children in 6 municipalities in provinces 2 and 6. Karuna Foundation Nepal provides technical assistance and training; UNICEF supports with lobbying for national policy incorporation.
- Karuna Foundation NepalcoreThe program is run by Karuna Foundation Nepal, led by two Nepali directors Deepak Sapkota and Yogendra Giri, with a team of 90 people. They implement the DPRP with technical support from KarunaNL.
- KarunaNL FoundationcoreSupporting foundation established in the Netherlands with ANBI status to coordinate funding from all partners, supervise responsible spending, and provide oversight.
- Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) AmsterdamcoreImplementing impact study of DPRP. Dr. Pierre Pratley from KIT works with Solutions in Nepal on baseline surveys and evaluations.
- Medic MobilesupportingTrained 380 health workers on use of mobile phones for data collection and sending messages on Ante and Post Natal Check Ups.
- Smile Train NepalsupportingLocal NGO partner for complementary care (harelip surgery).
- Biratnagar Eye HospitalsupportingLocal partner for eye care services and referrals.
- Nick Simons InstitutesupportingPartner for specialized healthcare training and support.
- EnablementsupportingDeveloped the RehApp used by CBRFs for rehabilitation facilitation.
- Solutions in NepalsupportingResearch partner implementing interviews for impact study baseline surveys.
- Karnali ProvinceminorHas drafted a policy paper for DPRP implementation. Karuna Foundation Nepal discussing cost-sharing modality with them.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Karuna Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Ashoka: Global network supporting leading social entrepreneurs; was a co-organizer of Zero Project Impact Transfer where Karuna was a Top 10 most-scalable solution—thematically related via disability innovation scaling and impact transfer.
- European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA): Industry association for venture philanthropy that granted Karuna the CoLab Award (2021) and Success Story designation; relevant as ecosystem intermediary in the impact-funding infrastructure Karuna depends on.
Direct peers
- Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR): Disability and NTD-focused INGO that actively co-implemented Karuna's Inspire2Care in Jhapa and shares a Dutch support base; highly comparable in target population (PWDs, neglected disease patients) and CBR approach.
- CBM (Christian Blind Mission): One of the largest INGOs focused on disability inclusion in low- and middle-income countries, running community-based rehabilitation, prevention, and inclusive development programs—directly comparable to Karuna's CBR model and target population.
- Smile Train: Global cleft lip and palate surgery NGO; explicitly listed as Karuna's local NGO partner for complementary cleft care in Nepal—overlapping disability prevention and surgical referral work in similar low-resource settings.
- Sightsavers: Disability prevention organization focused on avoidable blindness and visual impairment in developing countries; comparable model of mass screening (echoing Karuna's 100K children screened) plus community health integration.
- Light for the World: Disability inclusion INGO with prevention, rehabilitation, education, and economic empowerment programs across Africa and Asia; comparable in mission, CBR-style delivery, and emerging-economy footprint.
- Leonard Cheshire Disability: UK-headquartered INGO supporting education, livelihood, and inclusion for people with disabilities in 15+ developing countries; directly comparable in mission and CBR-style program design.
- Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International): Major INGO providing rehabilitation, disability prevention, and inclusive emergency response in conflict-affected and developing countries; shares Karuna's CBR approach and emphasis on community-embedded service delivery.
Broad incumbents
- BRAC: One of the largest development INGOs globally, with health, education, and disability programs across South Asia and Africa; broader portfolio, but overlapping health-system strengthening and community health worker models in similar geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Karuna Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceKaruna Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Karuna Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Karuna Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Karuna Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Karuna Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Karuna Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Karuna Foundation
What does Karuna Foundation do?
Karuna Foundation operates the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Program (DPRP) in Nepal, delivering disability prevention, rehabilitation, and social-inclusion services through municipal governments and community-based rehabilitation facilitators. The foundation provides training, technical advice, co-financing, and implementation support to municipalities, with a co-financing-and-exit model under which local governments assume responsibility and funding for the program after three years. The foundation's portfolio also covers the original Inspire2Care pilot program and the Knowledge and Evidence Lab (K&E Lab) knowledge-sharing platform.
Is Karuna Foundation a public or private company?
Karuna Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Karuna Foundation founded?
Karuna Foundation was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Karuna Foundation based?
Karuna Foundation is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Asia region.
How does Karuna Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Co-funding.
Who are Karuna Foundation's main competitors?
Others on record are Ashoka and European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA). Direct peers are Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR), CBM (Christian Blind Mission), Smile Train, Sightsavers, Light for the World, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International). BRAC is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Karuna Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Karuna Foundation.
What industry is Karuna Foundation in?
Karuna Foundation's product category is Community-Based Rehabilitation and Disability Prevention Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.