Shadhika

Shadhika works in the girls' leadership and gender equity space- they support grassroots organizations and innovative projects to help girls excel in education, take agency and show their leadership. We have been associated with Shadhika for four years now, their belief in men's and boys' engagement in bringing transformative social change is powerful.

Hi , I am shadhika Alum, shadhika mainly works for young people education and equality right's. which helped me to nurture my knowledge and basic education but they helped till my graduation still helping me. Shadhika takes care of young girls to be empowered and be independent in their life as they wish. They listen to young girls and the girls are the best leaders in the society now by educating other people about the Equality right's, Girls education and Girl's right.

Shadhika has opened up discussions for my community and brought us young girls together to connect and understand those abroad- a priceless experience.

I got to know Shadhika during the COVID Pandemic, and was engaged with them on an assignment in facilitating young women from the Shadhika alumni to pursue their interest in the work around climate change. I also attended an event where all young graduates were recognized for their passing into higher education and their professional fields of interest. It was an invigorating experience to see how each batch passed through one milestone and inspired the younger batch at the event, and how Shadhika takes great care to understand the aspirations of each young woman , emphasizing on nurturing confident young individuals. Wish the organization all the best in the critical work it does for girls in the country.

I have accompanied Shadhika over the last 3 years as they journey into trust-based philanthropy and have been so impressed every step of the way. Their staff and leadership are so thoughtful, careful, and committed to aligning their actions, policies and systems with the stated principles of the organization. They positive change in the feminist movement I see rippling out from Shadhika is exciting, meaningful and particularly informative for those seeking systems change from the grassroots level in ways that are deeply rooted in community. Bravo!

I've been working with Shadhika for about half a year now (helping out with their site). Everyone inside the organization is very mission-driven and really striving to make a difference in the lives of young women in India. They are also very resourceful and fiscally responsible.

They threw an amazing Holi celebration this year and clearly work hard on community engagement!

Shadhika is a great organization full of hardworking staff. Having volunteered for them before, I can say that the volunteer experience is phenomenal. Their work is incredibly relevant and impactful and I hope they continue to change the lives of women and girls in India.

I worked with Shadhika for a few years and was impressed by the willingness of the staff to put the needs of their partners and in particular, the girls they serve, front and center. They were always willing to keep striving to find ways to support their community and never shied away from the daily challenges of working in this field. Their willingness to always reflect on their work while challenging themselves to do more is what sets Shadhika apart. Additionally, I really appreciated that they strove to create opportunities for those in their programs to grow, learn, and gain confidence in their abilities as leaders and thinkers.

It has been an incredible pleasure to partner with Shadhika in multiple ways. Shadhika is an incredible asset to the Posner Community . Their team hosts engaging events in the building; shares their lessons learned and expertise through community-wide events; their Executive Director thoughtfully co-chaired the Organizational Leaders Community of Practice; and their Director of Programs served on our Symposium Planning Committee.

We have also partnered with Shadhika by funding their collaborative work for two grant cycles in a row. They thoughtfully and intentionally implemented their program to incorporate environmental concerns into their curriculum, centering their program participants as leaders and changemakers to drive their work. They have also been incredibly valuable partners to us by providing honest and candid feedback to make our grantmaking program more equitable and accessible. For example, they recommended we accept multiple formats of applications and reports (videos, zoom conversations, and more) - an option that was widely used by other applicants this year.

The Shadhika team is incredible, and we are so fortunate to have partnered with them for many years.

Shadhika's beneficiary-first approach to grantmaking is simple yet revelatory. I appreciate that doing right by the program participants is Shahika's central focus, and Shadhika passionately and effectively communicates that mission.

As a staff member of Shadhika, I can say that there is no organization that lives their values more than Shadhika does. This past year Shadhika has looked inward to transform all programs and operations to center around the needs of the individuals and grassroots partners served. This has included conversations about trauma-centered work, trust-based philanthropy, and developing a new strategic direction to center the work around. Every very staff member has been involved in potting this growth trajectory. I have never been more proud to work at an organization that supports my needs as an employee and individual, and is making such a difference on the ground India and in the larger philanthropic landscape.

I've been involved with Shadika as a donator for 2 years now and I greatly appreciate their transparency and professionalism. I know where my money is going. Furthermore I appreciate the team's effort in keeping me personally involved (per my request) and making time to have a few conversations with me about how to be an active participant. I've donated money to large organizations before, but with Shadhika I feel like I found a very unique, grassroots organization where I have a lot more involvement ability than a large organization. Not to mention the lovely, like-minded friends I've made at their events!

I'm Shadhika's alumn now. I was wondering about my future. I loved to read further and wanted to shine. My parents support me but not financially. I have 3 more sisters so it's difficult to give all them education at a time.
That time I meet Shadhika. When I almost thought to giving up on my dreams and goals. I standed really far from finishing line of my dream race. Shadhika held my hand and easy my way to walk. It provided me scholarship which accomalished my dream as well as lead me a leader in my community. I was a shy girl who barely talk with people and fought for rights. But shadhika changed me better. Now I raise my voice and fight for others rights too.
Shadhika is a organisation which help many girls like me. It gives hopes to them who lose their hopes. I'm glad to be a part of shadhika. Now I'm a writer and a leader. Whenever I publish or write my story the shine on my families eyes is adorable. They see me with proudly.
For me Shadhika is an angel.

"If I'm a tree, Shadhika is my roots. If I'm bird, Shadhika is my wings. If I'm a speaker, Shadhika is my words. And if I'm a Successor, Shadhika is my motivator."

Shadhika is an amazing organization that is truly making a difference for so many girls in India. Moreover, we at Boss Women - University of Toronto appreciate all the support Shadhika gave us during our fundraising and educational campaign. In particular, we had the privilege of having Upasana and Jenna come on and give a virtual talk to fellow university students and faculty members about the inner workings of child marriage in India and the work Shadhika does to strategically combat this issue. This discussion was very powerful and thorough, receiving tremendous positive feedback from our attendees. Overall, this organization is significantly contributing to the fight for women's empowerment and gender equality while supporting local/smaller organizations in their effort to help - we look forward to working with them again for future educational campaigns.

Shadhika is a very good NGO and I am very happy to be a part of its board as well. Shadhika is doing great job on the education of girls. And i wish keep doing such good work in future also.

Every part of Shadhika puts their heart and soul into the work and mission of empowering girls in India with an education and the agency to be able to make more free choices in their lives and community. As a member of the Board, it has been my honor to contribute to Shadhika both financially and with my team. It truly feels like we are making a genuine and profound difference. I encourage you to learn more about Shadhika and rest assured if you donate - it will go a long way!

I have had the privilege of volunteering with Shadhika for the last five years and recently joined the board of this wonderful organization. The clarity of vision and mission in addition to the focus on both education AND empowerment of young women in India is what energized me to become a board member. The staff from the Executive Director all the way down to each member of the team are tremendously passionate, creative and dedicated. Most importantly I have had the opportunity to see what is possible when someone invests in these amazing young women. Their ability to be change agents is building a groundswell and they are the future leaders who will change our world.

To say just thank you to shadhika is I think will be so little I return of what shadhika had done to me. Today whatever I am is just for the support of shadhika. Without help of shadhika I think till now I would have married probably. But It had not happened . And now I am pursuing training of my dream job that is to be a Nurse .Not only me there are many more examples of girls who are also getting support from shadhika . So , though it is so little but I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart..thank you soo much to the whole team of shadhika .

I was introduced to Shadhika by a fellow co-worker who had become involved with the organization. I was impressed by their mission to improve the lives of women in India by empowering them to be advocates in their community and to continue their education. I have corresponded with my pen pal who is part of the program in India and her words and actions have shown me that the organization has had a great impact on the lives of these young women.

I have enjoyed meeting and writing to each and every one of the girls over the past couple of years. This program allows me to give a meaningful part of myself to young girls who truly benefit from the experience. There is an interchange of learning especially as I discover the things we have in common. I look forward to more growth and engagement with the girls and the togetherness it creates between us.

I’ve had the privilege of being a pen pal with girls in India through the Shadhika program for the last 2 years. The work this organization is doing to support girls and young women in India is critical. I know every penny of every dollar is being put to good use. Highly recommend supporting and working with the Shadhika.

Shadhika is a wonderful, bottoms-up founded and run non-profit with a very clear purpose -- empower young female leaders in rural India to continue their education and evangelize the same for others.

We are proud to participate as an ongoing annual sponsor and advisor in candidate selection!

My wife and I joined Shadhika's scholarship circle in summer of this year and are quite impressed with the staff's professionalism and their focus on helping the students in every way possible. The entire process of screening the applicants; selection of the right candidate and then follow up to ensure that they succeed is one of the best in my opinion. The overall administrative expenses of the non-profit are with in the average to low side for other comparable non-profits. We are very pleased with our involvement and look forward to continuing the relationship as a donor for a number of years!

Shadhika have been a long time supporter of The Baale Mane Trust, the NGO I work for. Baale Mane work to empower disadvantaged girls from rural parts of Bangalore, India, providing them with a home, education and holistic development. Shadhika support a number of NGOs such as Baale Mane across many states in India, with the key focus of improving the futures of disadvantaged girls and enhancing gender equity in India. Although they started as a small trust, Shadhika have now grown to have considerable impact on a large number of beneficiaries and provide crucial financial and programme support to multiple NGOs. Their staff team is dedicated and innovative in their work, focusing on the individual needs of the girls they support and following a youth-centered approach. Their scholarship programme enables girls to meet their full potential and graduate from higher education, improving their prospects for a positive life and career. Baale Mane is proud to work in partnership with Shadhika in alleviating the difficulties that girls in India face and providing them with a positive future.

Participating in the Shadhika letter-writing experience is one of the most worthwhile things I've done this year. This is my first year and I can't express how excited I am to receive my second letter from my pen pal this month. I was drafting my first introductory letter just as the pandemic was taking a more serious hold and now it seems we live in a different world. Somehow it's made participating in this program all the more important. Making a connection with a young woman on the other side of the world and learning about her life and family is bringing me a lot of joy right now. And doing anything I can to help amplify young women's voices feels like an especially worthy endeavor. In the end, I'm so glad I participated and am looking forward to continuing this journey. I highly recommend the experience.

Shadhika is a wonderful nonprofit that is working to empower and educate young professional women in India. As a volunteer, I have truly enjoyed the ability to make a personal connection through their Girls Writes program, and have nothing but wonderful things to say about everyone involved with this organization. Keep up the (important) good work!

I have supported Shadhika for more than 7 years now and it is one of the best investments I've made. When women–all women–share equitably in the economic, political and social leadership of our world, so much of what we hope for–equality, peace, climate justice, healthy democracies, healthy and educated people, to name a few–are transformed.

This is why I support Shadhika, and believe in our mission with all my heart. Our world’s largest democracies have to lead this change, and India is key.

At Shadhika the young women are at the center of their own fight to create a better world for themselves and for their communities. Shadhika partners with women-led, NGOs in India – grassroots organizations on the ground who know what they are doing and why they are doing it. We help bring the young women in these programs together to create their own solutions and action plans, and then get out of the way so they can lead the change.

Describing the value of Shadhika and its growing successes helping the neediest of women and children of India is no small task. As a donor and volunteer, I have become ever more impressed that this organization continues to find its way through India’s overwhelming and wearying system of undervaluing girls whose only fault is being born into a society which lacks appreciation for them. Through education, hands on job skills, life skills training, and safe living conditions, girls dare to hope as they make lives for themselves and share the program’s merits with others. It is with immense pride that I am affiliated with Shadhika...an organization which changes the lives of an ever growing group of educated, strong women...women who are committed to changing the world.

Shadhika is a focused program with a clear goal. I felt it's an holistic and a complete program which is creating leaders. It's not about just helping someone in need but it's about creating leaders who will inspire others.

I enjoyed the experience of being a part of the Shadhika community. It was highly meaningful to be involved in the pen pal program and being able to write letters and form a bond with the girls in India.
Shadhika organization was very accommodative, communicative and helped establish a true connection to the purpose of making a difference & uplifting the lives of the girls. I am very honored to be a part of this initiative and looking forward to many more.

"The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World" - " When we lift up women, we lift up humanity...No other single change can do more to improve the state of the world. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings." Glad to be part of a non-profit that starts at the root of empowerment for girls and women in India. Shadhika has been around for 25 years and has been able to change lives one girl at a time. She then sends ripples through her community.

I came to know Shadhika several years ago and was impressed with their mission and operations from the start! I have since spent meaningful time with Kim and Kendra, and understand how hard and efficiently they work with such passion to elevate communities by stressing the importance of educating girls. "When she leads, change follows."

I have been on the donor circle of this organization since it's inception. I have seen it grow and flourish thru the dedication and hard work of their executive director and then staff member brought on. They have significantly grown their contribution to education girls in India with intention, forsight, community involvement and have generated much passion and hard work from the girls.

Above all, it is a real pleasure to be part of such an amazing adventure. And I don’t even how amusing it should be for all those girls eagerly learning English besides their studies! Discussing with someone that far and who faces a different form of discrimination shows how this fight is universal. Three qualities that would best describe Shadhika and these girls are definitely humility, patience and grit. This project definitely needs a push to thrust forward those young ladies and leaders in the making

Because of shadhika I completed my graduation. And know am doing job as pharmcist. Know I am independent my parents proud to me ������Thank you so much your support :)

Hi, I'm priya. It's been great experience with shadhika. Shadhika has been supporting so many girls to complete there studies. Shadhika is doing great work that is Empowering to girls.

SHADHIKA IS DOING GREAT WORK TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE GIRLS'S RIGHTS.

Today I am about to complete a special course by Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)to train in investment banking. They are committed to help me get a great job with high corporate. I was the only one chosen by BSE who had not studied thru prestigious in an English medium school. But I had attended NGO Vacha’s programme of life skills for girls. I had gone to a Municipal school for the poor and lived in a room in a slum, a hutment colony. I was about to complete my B.Com. when I gave the first interview. BSE even waived the course fee for me. I am fully aware that this happened because of Shadhika’s support at the crucial time when I completed high school. My sister Durga, a pharmacy graduate now, and we got Shadhika scholarships that were inclusive of many important things like the course fee plus money for travel and for dressing decently with proper clothes and shoes and for coaching where required and got a computer lap top of our own!. We simply loved it when we could also pay for important site visits and an overnight stay. All this made a lot of difference. We felt confident. People would not point us out as slum kids. All girls receiving Shadhika scholarship were safe from the danger of early marriage. They were not a burden to the family. Usually a scholarship is just paying college fee and, only a little bit extra. Shadhika gave us actually fellowships. Here Ms Kimberley (Our Kim Didi) talked to us, found out about what was needed and let us know that we were being selected not just because of our good grades but also because of our active role in the community. We had both campaigned against sexual harassment in our area and had to face an angry crowd for that. We are still active in community work and for girls’ rights. This was actually a fellowship.
Ours is a very conservative caste/ community. My sister and I are the first college graduates in it. Now my uncle, my father’s brother has also admitted his daughter to college. He no longer believes a college girl goes astray. Shadhika has remained in touch with us all through and that has kept up our morale. They also conducted a graduation ceremony of Shadhika fellows. Our parents were overcome and wept. They have made us promise that our first salaries will go towards supporting a girl in need.

Sneha Gupta,
Receipt of Shadhika Scholarship Programme

Vacha project works on development and empowerment of girls from deprived communities thru imparting soft and hard skills like computer and camera use, English speaking, speech making negotiation, decision making etc. that are essential for a productive life in 21st century. We work in 12 to 17 very poor slums in and around Mumbai. We work with girls in age group 11-18 and always worried what future would bright and active girls would have. Extreme son preference across caste, religion and linguistic groups made girls very vulnerable. Orthodox communities controlled girls, mobility and education and believed in early marriage of girls. We did not have funds to support beyond High school education. That is when Shadhika came up with an idea of special scholarships for girls for undergraduate studies that would equip them for a better and more productive life. It introduced special scholarships that would allow girls to become self supportive, fight early marriage and interacted with girls without being uppity and patronising. This initiative and its success inspired Vacha Trust to create and develop its own scholarship fund. Shadhika had been supporting Vacha’s life skills and leadership programme in several poor communities already before this in a true partnership when the foundation did not partner by merely providing funds but continued sharing knowledge resources and potential opportunities for us. There were at least quarterly visits from its director, board and supporters every year and Shadhika understood the specificity of Gender situations in India. What our team also appreciates is the critical response to the ideas and suggestions and integrating them in programmes for the NGOs it is supporting.


Sonal Shukla, M.A., M.Ed.
Founder & Hon. Director, Vacha Charitable Trust
Member, Executive Committee, Indian Council of Basic Education (Earlier Secretary)
Member, Editorial Boards of Journals Quest in Education, Mumbai and Girlhood Studies, Canada
Founding member of Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai

Vacha project works on development and empowerment of girls from deprived communities thru imparting soft and hard skills like computer and camera use, English speaking, speech making negotiation, decision making etc. that are essential for a productive life in 21st century. We work in 12 to 17 very poor slums in and around Mumbai. We work with girls in age group 11-18 and always worried what future would bright and active girls would have. Extreme son preference across caste, religion and linguistic groups made girls very vulnerable. Orthodox communities controlled girls, mobility and education and believed in early marriage of girls. We did not have funds to support beyond High school education. That is when Shadhika came up with an idea of special scholarships for girls for undergraduate studies that would equip them for a better and more productive life. It introduced special scholarships that would allow girls to become self supportive, fight early marriage and interacted with girls without being uppity and patronising. This initiative and its success inspired Vacha Trust to create and develop its own scholarship fund. Shadhika had been supporting Vacha’s life skills and leadership programme in several poor communities already before this in a true partnership when the foundation did not partner by merely providing funds but continued sharing knowledge resources and potential opportunities for us. There were at least quarterly visits from its director, board and supporters every year and Shadhika understood the specificity of Gender situations in India. What our team also appreciates is the critical response to the ideas and suggestions and integrating them in programmes for the NGOs it is supporting.


Sonal Shukla, M.A., M.Ed.
Founder & Hon. Director, Vacha Charitable Trust
Member, Executive Committee, Indian Council of Basic Education (Earlier Secretary)
Member, Editorial Boards of Journals Quest in Education, Mumbai and Girlhood Studies, Canada
Founding member of Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai

India is an exceptionally difficult place to survive for less privileged girls and women. Shadhika works to combat this staggering problem by providing education, scholarships and skills to a growing number of girls eager to change the course of their lives and make a difference within their communities. Working in some of the toughest environments, Shadhika is not only making girls' lives better, it is making communities healthier and stronger by involving brothers and fathers and families and schools...educating and altering long held misconceptions about the role of females within a society.

I visited India with Shadhika last year where I witnessed first hand the astonishing changes Shadhika has made possible. I visited so many girls and families whose very existences have been changed dramatically. I met first generation college graduates...once beleaguered girls now thriving since being embraced by the caring, effective role models and leadership made possible by Shadhika's funding. I witnessed the astonishing ripple effect of Shadhika's influence evident in the magnificence of communities coming together in a new age of fairness and equity.

Shadhika is growing and reaching more girls every year, thanks to the generosity of donors and that the organization itself is exceptionally well run. I am thankful for Shadhika and am proud to support them. Through their effective leadership and stewardship, I now support women and children in a country other than and in addition to my own. A country with such desperate need. A country with such thankfulness for all Shadhika accomplishes. Shadhika is making the world a much better place.

I am totally committed to Shadhika’s work with at-risk girls in India, girls whose families earn less than $3.00 a day. Shadhika has helped thousands of girls realize their aspirations for a better life - by enabling them to escape child marriage, trafficking, domestic violence, abandonment, and forced labor. Close to 100 percent of the girls Shadhika serves avoid an early forced marriage. 95 percent of the girls Shadhika serves complete secondary school, compared to 48 percent for India overall. Because of Shadhika's support, girls have been able to complete their education, stand up for their rights, and acquire the skills they need to become financially independent

After a trip to India I was inspired to look for charities that helped girls and young women find ways out of sex trafficking and child marriage. I found Shadhika. This charity helps girls and young women find their way through education and training to real jobs that can change the way women in India are treated and perceived.
This charity is well-run, communicates transparently and uses its resources responsibly.

I had the prevlidge to participate in site visits of NGO’s supported by Shadhika. Inspiring to see how minimal funds by USA standards can be so impactful. Providing English and life skills is transforming the lives of young women from the most dire of circumstances. Life changing to witness.

As a volunteer for Shadhika, it has been extremely inspiring to witness the impact of this organization. Their dedicated team actively works to support young women and girls of India through various grants and educational programs. I look forward to participating in future Shadhika events.

I have a close connection to this organization and I have been able to see all the positive impacts they have not only with the girls, but with the volunteers and employees as well. This is an amazing organization that allows those less fortuanate to have the opportunity to meet their full potential and thrive in their community. You can really tell that everyone envolved with this organization has such a passion for the cause.

I have volunteered at Shadhika's events and love working with them. They are an amazing organization! They work so hard to make a visible impact on the girls they work with, and do so with very few staff members, which makes it all the more impressive.

I have been involved with Shadhika for almost five years. It's mission is to empower and educate girls in India, which is important not just for those girls that are helped but for their families, their communities, all of India and, ultimately the whole planet, since by 2050, it is projected that India will have the largest population of any country, surpassing China. I have helped plan events in Denver for Shadhika and travelled with the organization to India in January 2017, spending time with the NGOs there that receive Shadhika funds and the girls that are being helped. That trip was incredible and further demonstrated that, not only is Shadhika focused and well run but that it does a thorough job of vetting and supporting the NGOs in India to which it provides grants to ensure that the funds are being effectively used. This organization is making a positive, meaningful different for those immediately served and exponentially around them.

Shadhika is an organization that was started out of love for girls in need of education & empowerment. The founder of Shadhika, Juthika Stangl has done an excellent job at not only recognizing this need but also bringing awareness around it. The current CEO, Kim Burnett has continued in Juthika's footsteps and expanded the program to a great extent. It is Shadhika's vision "Investing in Girls for India's Future" that makes me proud to be associated with this organization.

Shadhika is an excellent organization that helps girls become empowered with a good education and helps get them out of sex trafficking.

Shadhika is a wonderful organization that promotes gender equality in Indian girls. Shadika helps girls have access to education which opens up opportunities and helps them achieve economic self sufficiency. Shadika also helps teach young men to respect women and girls. Shadika has numerous success stories. A friend travelled to India with Shadika last year and I was very impressed with her experiences. She met many young women who were transitioning from the slums where they have grown up to college. College which was made available because of Shadika's scholarships. She also interacted with girls who are in a. Shadika funded program to help them once they finish grades 11 and 12 and move to the city. Shadika provides intensive English language and life skills training to help them. More than 90 percent of girls who attend Shadhika-funded programs graduate from high school and delay marriage until after the age of 18.

As a leadership development intern with Shadhika this past year and founder of their first college Gather for Girls club at the University of San Diego, I am so happy to have dedicated some of my time to such a powerful purpose with such a great organization of people. Educating girls, and inspiring girls to be, has been a personal goal of mine ever since I volunteered in Rajasthan, India six years ago and saw the fate of a young girl diminish the moment she is born. Being able to contribute to this organization, I felt a wonderful sense of purpose and a small step towards more passionate actions of service in my life. Working with Sophia was a highlight and made my time with Shadhika a wonderful experience. Thank you for all the work you do.

My husband and I inspired by the work of Shadhika because we have a seven year old daughter. We want to ensure that girls in India are afforded the same educational opportunities, empowerment and access to sources as American children.