Dholakia Foundation

What Dholakia Foundation does

Dholakia Foundation is a Surat-based nonprofit organization established in 1996 as the philanthropic arm of Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd., a diamond manufacturing and exporting firm. The foundation executes nature-based infrastructure projects in drought-prone regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra, focused on lake deepening, river rejuvenation, check dam construction, desilting, and afforestation under flagship initiatives Mission River and Mission 102030. Its operations are physically grounded rather than technology-driven, relying on heavy machinery, native species plantation, and the 80:20 public participation model co-funded with the Government of Gujarat. Documented outcomes include 170+ water bodies restored, 37+ billion liters of water conserved, and 3.7 million trees planted across 25 locations, with approximately 200,000-300,000 farmers and villagers reported as beneficiaries.

The foundation's revenue model is hybrid and nonprofit: the primary funding stream is the parent company's CSR budget, supplemented by individual donations routed to Mission River, Mission 102030, or the Youth Portfolio, plus modest fee-based revenue from the Het Ni Haveli excursion program (₹1,500-2,500 per visitor) and volunteer/intern contributions. Go-to-market combines community-led mobilization (shramdaan, village-level engagement), event-driven awareness (Jal Utsav Water Festival, COP29, COY19, Filmfare 2025), and a direct-to-consumer donation portal. Key stakeholders span rural farming communities, government bodies (Government of Gujarat), corporate partners (GIA, IGI, CIBJO, Kering, Hari Krishna Exports), youth and students (DFYOUth), and international organizations (UN, TERI, GIZ, TISS, Climate Reality Project). Following a 2023 leadership transition to a new professional management team, the foundation has accelerated international positioning while continuing to anchor operational impact in Gujarat.

Name

Dholakia Foundation

Legal name

Dholakia Foundation

Website

https://dholakia.foundation

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental & Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO)

Keywords

• Ecosystem restoration services
• Water conservation programs
• Community development initiatives
• Environmental philanthropy
• Sustainable development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Surat

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funding: Primary funding from parent company Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd.'s CSR initiatives, supporting water conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community welfare projects.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations accepted through website with options to direct funds to Mission River, Mission 102030, or Youth Portfolio initiatives.
3. Volunteer and Intern Programs: Engages volunteers and interns who contribute to foundation operations across environmental and community programs.
4. Excursion and Educational Programs: Het Ni Haveli Excursion programs offering overnight nature retreats (₹2500/-) and one-day trips (₹1500/-) for schools, colleges, and groups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Dholakia Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that delivers ecosystem restoration services including lake development, river rejuvenation, check dam construction, groundwater recharge, and afforestation in drought-prone regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra. It operates as the philanthropic arm of Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd., executing flagship initiatives Mission River and Mission 102030, alongside youth empowerment programs, educational excursions, and SDG-aligned community welfare activities.

Product overview

Dholakia Foundation operates as a philanthropic organization with multiple distinct initiatives rather than a unified product platform. The core environmental offerings include Mission River (river rejuvenation) and Mission 102030 (lake/sarovar construction), supported by Tree Plantation Drive and Kisna Nature Park for biodiversity. Social programs encompass Youth Portfolio/DFYOUth for youth empowerment, SDG-aligned community initiatives, and community experiences including Het Ni Haveli Excursions and Jal Utsav Water Festival. The foundation also organizes the annual Haridwar Rishikesh Pilgrimage Yatra. All programs work toward ecosystem restoration, water conservation, and community empowerment across drought-prone regions of Gujarat.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mission River: Flagship water initiative focused on river rejuvenation, lake/farm ponds development, check dams, desilting, and riparian afforestation
• Mission 102030
• Het Ni Haveli
• #Mission100Sarovar

Products and services

• Mission River Flagship water initiative focused on river rejuvenation, lake and farm ponds development, check dams, desilting, and riparian afforestation. Addresses root causes of water scarcity through natural groundwater recharge and community stewardship for drought-prone regions.
• Mission 102030 (Mission Sarovar) Lake and sarovar development initiative constructing water bodies in drought-prone regions. Has restored over 170 water bodies and conserved more than 37 billion litres of water across Gujarat's Saurashtra region.
• Youth Portfolio / DFYOUth Youth empowerment and engagement programs including National Youth Day celebrations, SDG workshops, International Youth Day events, and skill development initiatives for students and young volunteers.
• Tree Plantation Drive Large-scale reforestation and tree planting initiative. Has planted over 3.7 million trees across 25+ locations in Gujarat and Maharashtra to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.
• Het Ni Haveli Excursion Educational nature retreats and excursion programs for schools and colleges. Offers Package 1 (Overnight Nature Retreat - ₹2,500 per person) and Package 2 (One Day Trip - ₹1,500 per person) at Het Ni Haveli, Dudhala Village.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Portfolio Comprehensive SDG-aligned programs covering all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water, Climate Action, and Life on Land through 50+ social and environmental activities.
• Kisna Nature Park Nature park featuring 45 varieties of exotic birds and 40 species of marine creatures and animals. Provides natural habitat for biodiversity conservation and serves as meditation and yoga space.

Quantifiable outcome

• 170+ water bodies restored across Gujarat
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Government of GujaratcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Large-scale River Rejuvenation and Deepening Project in Lathi taluka of Amreli district following 80:20 public participation model with ₹15.66 crore approved. Project includes river deepening, desilting, widening, and native tree plantation across 9.6 kilometers.
• CIBJO - The World Jewellery ConfederationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2026CIBJO Lake inaugurated as tribute to CIBJO's 100-year milestone. Lake spread across 15 acres with 156 million litres storage capacity supporting 5 villages and 12,000 farmers in Saurashtra region.
• GIZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025GIZ logo visible among foundation partners, indicating collaboration on sustainability and environmental initiatives.
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Academic partnership for research and social development initiatives visible among foundation partners.
• The Climate Reality ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership for climate action and environmental awareness programs visible among foundation partners.
• Global AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership for ecosystem restoration initiatives visible among foundation partners.
• Ecosystem RestorationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partner organization for ecosystem restoration initiatives visible among foundation partners.
• Kering GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Ms. Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation at Kering Group attended CIBJO Lake inauguration representing luxury goods group's sustainability initiatives.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2023Received Water Sustainability Award for 'Protect and Restore Community Water Resources' category recognising exceptional sustainable water management practices.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Special accreditation for UN 2023 Water Conference and recognised actor of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Appreciation letter received from Dr. Johannes Cullman, UN Water Vice-chair.
• GIA - Gemological Institute of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2023GIA Lake created at HK Hub with 31,700 sqm area and 76 million litres capacity for rainwater conservation and groundwater recharge. Lake inaugurated virtually by GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques.
• IGI - International Gemological InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2023IGI Lake created at HK Hub with 23,202 sqm area and 60 million litres capacity. Inaugurated virtually by IGI India MD Tehmasp Printer and team.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR): WOTR is one of India's largest water stewardship nonprofits, executing watershed restoration and community-based water conservation across drought-prone Maharashtra—highly comparable to Dholakia Foundation's Saurashtra/Gujarat water body focus.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: BAIF is a major Indian nonprofit focused on watershed development, livestock, and sustainable agriculture in rural communities—directly comparable across ecosystem restoration, community participation, and water conservation scope.
• Paani Foundation: Paani Foundation executes the Water Cup movement and large-scale watershed rejuvenation across Maharashtra villages, directly comparable to Dholakia's Mission River and Mission 102030 community-driven lake development model.
• Tarun Bharat Sangh: Founded by Rajendra Singh (the original 'Waterman of India'), TBS pioneered river rejuvenation and johad construction in Rajasthan—sharing both thematic mission and community-led execution model with Dholakia Foundation.
• Navdanya: Navdanya operates a network of community seed banks and ecological agriculture programs across India, comparable to Dholakia Foundation's Sustainable Development Goals and Mission 102030 tree plantation scope.

Broad incumbents

• WWF India: WWF India is the largest national conservation NGO with programs spanning species, forest, water, and climate—functionally comparable at a much larger scale than Dholakia's focused water restoration mandate.
• Tata Water Mission (Tata Trusts): Tata Trusts run extensive watershed and water security programs across India's rural belts—comparable in mission and CSR-funded model with much greater institutional scale and geographic reach.
• The Nature Conservancy India: TNC India deploys global conservation resources toward ecosystem protection and restoration at scale—a broader incumbent executing comparable mission-aligned ecosystem and water stewardship work.

Regional players

• Sulabh International: Large Indian social sector nonprofit that combines direct service delivery (sanitation) with advocacy and education—comparable in nonprofit scale and public-participation model, though focused on sanitation rather than water restoration.

Others

• Give (Give Foundation): Give Foundation is India's largest online donation platform for nonprofits—enabling donor flows to organizations like Dholakia Foundation rather than directly executing water conservation work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dholakiaforu
• Facebookfacebook.com/DholakiaFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dholakiafoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/dholakiafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Dholakia Foundation