A lamp lit for every child and every woman ready to rise.
We support women and children across India: school fees for children who would otherwise drop out, and livelihoods, health and financial skills for women.
Sandeep Agarwal
Philanthropist and founder, Deepa Foundation for Social Change
Sandeep Agarwal is a philanthropist who spent three decades in a corporate career before turning his attention to giving back. In 2022 he started the Deepa Foundation to support women and children, two groups where steady help changes a family's future.
His wish is to build a world where causes across India see the greatest possible impact. That shapes how the Foundation works: we fund what we can see through, stay close to the people we serve, and measure success by what changes in their lives.
women taught financial literacy by a community leader trained through the Foundation, in Kurla East
women trained in sewing at the Kurla centre, with 10 now employed in its stitching unit and community kitchen
women reached with health awareness and reusable sanitary kits through Project Maitri
students with school fees paid directly to their schools in 2024-25, up from one in 2022
Figures are taken from the Foundation's activity reports.
Keeping children in school, and helping women earn and decide
Each programme removes a specific barrier that holds capable people back.
Education for children
Many children leave school because the fees cannot be paid. We work with local communities to find children at risk of dropping out, then pay their tuition and school costs directly to the school.
- Scholarships for students in Mumbai and Bhopal, from junior KG to class 12
- Fees paid straight to the school, so every rupee reaches the classroom
- One student supported in 2022, three in 2024-25
Livelihoods and financial literacy for women
At our centre in Kurla, Mumbai, women learn sewing from basic stitching to tailoring, and earn from it. A community kitchen next door serves food to low-income families in Adarsh Nagar.
- Sewing machines, fabric and materials provided for hands-on training
- Leadership training for women who then train others in their communities
- Financial literacy sessions, now reaching over 600 women in Kurla East
Project Maitri
Women stitch reusable sanitary pads and earn an income, while others in their communities receive them along with health awareness sessions that break the silence around menstrual hygiene. The Foundation supported the Mumbai kits in 2023.
- 150 women received kits of three reusable pads
- 19 women earned an income making them
- Health awareness held for all 150 women
Rooted in Mumbai and Bhopal
Mumbai
The women's centre and community kitchen in Kurla, Project Maitri kits, and school scholarships for children.
Bhopal
Scholarships for children identified with local communities who were at risk of leaving school.
Growing the work without losing its care
We are planning three steps, and we are looking for partners to take them with us.
More livelihood units
A needs assessment is under way to set up textile and food units where women make and sell handmade products. We will mentor them and provide funding to start.
Classrooms and a girls' hostel
Digital and offline classrooms, tuition and hostel costs for children from underserved families. Our first project is a girls' hostel in Nashik.
CSR partnerships
Working with companies that want their CSR funding to produce lasting results for children and women.
Registered for 80G, 12AB and CSR
- Legal form
- Company registered under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, incorporated 30 March 2022
- Corporate Identity Number (CIN)
- U85300MH2022NPL379520
- PAN
- AAJCD1767B
- Income-tax registration, section 12AB
- Unique Registration Number AAJCD1767B23MB01. Granted 17 February 2024 by the Commissioner of Income-tax (Exemptions), Mumbai, for assessment years 2023-24 to 2027-28
- Donor approval, section 80G
- Unique Registration Number AAJCD1767B23MB02. Granted 16 March 2024 under clause (ii) of the second proviso to section 80G(5), for assessment years 2023-24 to 2027-28. Donations qualify for tax deduction as the law provides
- CSR registration, Form CSR-1
- Registration number CSR00089789. Registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on 1 April 2025 to undertake CSR activities
- Registered office
- Khar West, Mumbai 400052
Help us light the next lamp
Whether you are an individual donor, a company with a CSR mandate or an organisation working with women or children, we would like to hear from you. We hold 80G approval for donors and CSR-1 registration for companies.
Talk to us
- jyotika@deepafoundation.org
- Registered name
- Deepa Foundation for Social Change
- Office
- Khar West, Mumbai