Disha foundation

What Disha foundation does

Disha Foundation is an India-registered non-profit organization established in 2002 and headquartered in Nashik, Maharashtra. It designs and delivers integrated migration-support services for internal migrant workers and their families, with additional programs serving prison inmates and tribal communities. Core service lines include the Migration Resource Centre (MRC) model (both fixed centers and mobile van deployments), health programs (TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, mother-and-child health), legal empowerment through grievance cells and a fast-track court in partnership with NLSAI, bridge schools and education linkage for migrant children, livelihoods and skills training in construction, agriculture, and hospitality, and BoCW welfare registration. The organization has reached more than 800,000 migrant workers cumulatively as of 2023 and is currently running 8 projects across 4 cities.

The business model is a multi-source non-profit funding construct with three primary revenue streams: corporate CSR funding (Sinochem India, Godrej Properties, Oberoi Realty, CREDAI), government technical-support and implementation contracts (Ministry of Tribal Affairs, State TB Office Pune, Maharashtra and Goa Labour Departments, Tribal Development Department), and donations. Service delivery is free at point of use for beneficiaries. The organization employs 26 staff across offices in Nashik (HQ), Gurgaon, Goa, and Nagpur. Distribution is field-driven: fixed MRCs serve source and destination locations while mobile MRC vans reach labour nakas, construction sites, and community gathering points; an in-house Shram Gaurav mobile application and helpline and a triplicate referral system form the basic digital infrastructure.

Strategically, Disha operates a hybrid grassroots-plus-policy-advocacy model. It holds national-level institutional positions including National Centre of Excellence designation from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NITI Aayog CSO standing committee membership, and technical-advisory roles with WHO, UNESCO, ILO, and IOM. The Founder-Director, Dr. Anjali Borhade (PhD, Oxford; MPH, Tulane), provides personal credibility for multilateral engagement. Stated expansion intent covers scaling the Migration Support Programme from 4 to 25 Indian states, positioning the organization as a national implementation partner for migrant-welfare policy rather than a regional operator.

Name

Disha foundation

Legal name

Disha Foundation

Website

https://dishafoundation.ngo

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Disha Foundation is a Nashik-headquartered non-profit established in 2002 that delivers integrated migration-support services (legal aid, health, skills training, social security, education) to India's internal migrant workers and marginalized communities through fixed and mobile resource centres, with field operations across Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi NCR, and Nagpur.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services for Migrant Workers

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE), Cash Assistance & Social Safety Net Delivery for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAH), Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) / Emergency Social Assistance (BPADADAI)

Keywords

• Migration support services
• Livelihood skills training
• Legal aid services
• Migrant health programs
• Community education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashik

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Funding: Corporate organizations provide CSR support for MRC operations, health campaigns, and migrant worker welfare programs. Examples include Sinochem India Ltd. for mobile MRC setup and Godrej Properties/Oberoi Realty for construction worker welfare.
2. Government Grants and Technical Support Contracts: Technical support agency contracts with government bodies including Ministry of Tribal Affairs, State TB Office, Tribal Development Department Maharashtra, and Labour Departments for policy implementation and migrant support services.
3. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: Individual and organizational donations to support NGO operations and programs for marginalized communities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Disha Foundation provides integrated welfare services for migrant workers and marginalized communities through Migration Resource Centres (MRCs) at fixed and mobile locations. Core offerings include legal aid, health camps, financial literacy and inclusion, social security enrollment, skill training, job placement, education support for migrant children, and policy advocacy. Services are delivered free of charge at source areas (tribal blocks, rural villages) and destination areas (urban centers, construction sites, labor markets) in Maharashtra, Goa, and Delhi NCR.

Product overview

Disha Foundation operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected social programs and support services for migrant workers and marginalized communities. The core offerings include Migration Resource Centres (MRC) at multiple locations (Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi NCR), providing integrated services covering legal aid, health programs, financial inclusion, skills training, and education. The organization runs specialized initiatives like the COVID-19 Campaign, BoCW welfare program for construction workers, and policy advocacy efforts. Additional programs include legal empowerment services, livelihood/skills training in construction, agriculture and hospitality sectors, and research activities. The organization uses mobile MRC vans and maintains partnerships with government agencies, WHO, and international organizations for program delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Migration Resource Centre (MRC) Fixed and mobile centers providing integrated migration support services including skill training, job placement, legal aid, health services, financial inclusion, and social security enrollment for migrant workers at both source and destination locations.
• Mobile Migrant Resource and Information Center (Mobile MRC) Mobile van-based migrant support centre equipped with IEC materials, health camps, financial literacy services, and legal support operating in Delhi NCR region to reach migrants at construction sites and labor markets.
• MRC Maharashtra Migration Resource Centre covering Nasik city as a destination area and four blocks (Harsul, Nasik, Peth, Trymbak) as source areas, offering legal aid, health services, financial inclusion, social security schemes, and capacity building training for migrant workers.
• MRC Goa Migration Information Resource Centre operating in Goa in collaboration with employers in the hospitality, construction, and fishery sectors, providing migrant worker welfare support.
• Health Programs Migrant-friendly health programs covering mother and child health, Tuberculosis awareness, Malaria prevention, occupational health services, HIV/AIDS interventions, and cancer screening with a triplicate referral system linking migrants to government health services.
• Legal Empowerment Legal aid and grievance handling services including a grievance handling cell, fast track court, complaint forms, labor market committees, and legal awareness programs designed for unorganized sector migrant workers.
• Education Programs Education support programs for migrant children including bridge schools at destination cities, informal education units at work sites, and liaison with ashram schools for enrolment continuity.
• Livelihood and Skills Training Skill building and upgradation programs in construction, agriculture, and hospitality sectors, including certification-linked training, ITI partnerships, and entrepreneurship development support for migrant workers.
• BoCW (Building and Other Construction Workers) Program Special initiative for construction workers' social protection including BOCW registration, welfare scheme access, housing assistance under PMAY, and educational scholarships for workers' children in Maharashtra.
• Policy Advocacy Advocacy and policy dialogue with government authorities to develop pro-poor policies for migrant workers, including technical support for India's first Tribal Migration Research and Resource Center and national policy formulation.
• Research Qualitative and quantitative research studies on migration and development issues covering health, livelihood, gender, and migration governance to inform policy formulation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800,000+ migrant workers reached through intervention programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State TB Office, PunecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Patient Provider Support Agency Project (PPSA) MoU for 10 Districts of Marathwada region. Actual work started from 1st January 2024 for TB awareness and treatment support
• Sinochem India Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR support for setup of Mobile Migrant Resource and Information Center (MRC) in Delhi-Gurgaon-Noida region providing immediate support during COVID-19 including legal aid, job placements and access to entitlements
• CREDAI (National Confederation of Real Estate Developers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU with CREDAI National for skilling of 15,000 construction workers. Also partnered for construction workers' welfare with CREDAI Maharashtra receiving award for outstanding contribution
• Godrej Properties and Oberoi RealtycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR partnerships for welfare of construction and migrant workers with target to reach up to 2 lakhs (200,000) construction workers
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical support to WHO Headquarters Geneva and SEARO for first world report on Migrants' Health 'WHO Global Report on Health Status of Refugees and Migrants'. Also developed Handbook 'The Capacity Building of Government Officials and NGOs to support Migrant Workers in India'
• Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson and Johnson)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTB Awareness Campaign 'Together We Can End TB' initiated in Nagpur Municipal Corporation with support from Janssen, Pharmaceutical division of Johnson and Johnson
• National Legal Services Authority of India (NLSAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with Labour Department and NLSAI for handling grievances of Migrants on employment, wages or related grievances - first kind of initiative to address issues of unorganized sector migrant workers
• Sarva Shiksha Abhigyan and Municipal CorporationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive support for bridge schools for migrant children at migrant halt points during migration period with academic period of 6 months
• Industrial Training Institute (ITI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for skill building and upgradation in construction, agriculture and hospitality sector with certification
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for skill development linked with existing government livelihood programs accessible for migrants in both rural and urban markets
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisha is lead agency for technical support and operation of India's first Tribal Migration Research and Resource Center initiated by Ministry
• National Commission for Scheduled TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational recommendations for addressing tribal livelihood migration developed based on Disha's model - India's first policy framework to address labour migration under implementation by Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Bihar GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical support requested for set up of Bihar migration program
• Labour Department, Government of MaharashtracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisha contributed to development of first labour policy drafted by Labour Department. Collaborative initiative for inclusion of migrant and construction workers in BOCW Scheme
• Government of GoacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical Support Agency for execution of state cell under Labour Department. Partnership for Tribal Research Institute research on tribal development issues
• Planning CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecially invited for providing recommendations for Inclusion of Migrant workers in India in XIIth five year plan
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Contemporary StudiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned national research paper 'Emerging needs for comprehensive national policy for migrant workers in India'
• UNESCO IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppointed Ms Anjali Borhade as Advisor for initiative on addressing policy needs for migrant workers in India. Publication of 'Migration and Health in India' UNESCO publication
• International Labour Organization (ILO)minorOthersGlobal body working with Disha on migration and development issues
• International Organization on Migration (IOM)minorOthersGlobal migration organization collaborating with Disha on migration governance
• Tribal Development Department, Government of MaharashtracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical Support Agency for Tribal Migration Research and Resource Center - India's first of its kind initiative
• Rotary ClubsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate sector stakeholder engagement for health programs including health camps and awareness campaigns
• Local Medical CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder partnerships for health programs and referral systems
• Symbiosis Institute for Operations ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partnerships for hospitality sector skill development
• Department of Tribal DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tailor-made training programs for tribal migrants with certification

Scale indicators9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action): Established national NGO focused on livelihoods and poverty alleviation among rural and tribal communities — overlaps with Disha's tribal migration and source-area livelihood work but operates at significantly larger scale.
• SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association): Large-scale Indian workers' organization serving informal sector women workers with similar service offerings (legal aid, health, financial inclusion) but with much broader membership and national footprint than Disha.
• Aide et Action (ActionAid India): Large international NGO with significant India presence working on migration, education, and livelihoods — overlapping with Disha's education and migration programs but operating with substantially greater geographic and financial scale.

Emerging players

• Samhita Social Ventures: Social impact organization facilitating CSR implementation and capacity building for NGOs — adjacent to Disha's CSR partnership model and corporate engagement approach.
• India Migration Now: Migration-focused research and communications initiative generating evidence on internal migration — comparable to Disha's research function and policy advocacy role, though with a different delivery model.

Direct peers

• Nidan: NGO working with informal sector workers and unorganized labour on social security, livelihoods, and rights — closely aligned with Disha's mission and target beneficiary population.
• Jan Sahas Social Development Society: NGO focused on migrant and informal sector workers, particularly women and children, providing social security enrollment, legal aid, and rehabilitation — directly comparable service portfolio to Disha's migrant welfare programs.
• Aajeevika Bureau: India's leading migrant worker support NGO providing legal aid, health services, and identity documentation to internal migrants across source and destination states — directly overlapping with Disha's core MRC model and beneficiary base.
• LabourNet Services India: Social enterprise providing skills training, placement, and livelihood services to informal sector workers — comparable to Disha's skill training and livelihood programs for migrant construction, agriculture, and hospitality workers.
• Centre for Migration and Labour Solutions (CMLS): Research and advocacy organization focused on internal migration governance in India — closely comparable to Disha's policy advocacy, research, and migration governance work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disha-foundation-not-for-profit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Disha foundation