We express deep gratitude to you for your support to IDRF year after year.
We are delighted to share with you the exciting news that IDRF has earned third consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Read full June Newsletter here.

The most common theme among IDRF’s supporters is a profound connection with India, which takes many different forms.

When asked about his connection to India, IDRF donor Dr. B.P. Lathi stated, “India is always on my mind… I remember the debt I owe to India where I studied till 22 years of age in government supported schools. For a poor country like India, this was an enormous investment in me and I would like to pay back my debt in whatever way I can.”

Dr. B.P. Lathi has certainly found a way to give back, by designating half of his Charitable Remainder Trust to IDRF. A CRT is an instrument available to donors who wish to donate a property to their favorite charity. This is an extremely advantageous instrument to donors, especially when a donor gives an appreciated property, as he pays no taxes on the appreciated property. Whatever remains in the trust will be divided between IDRF and popular magazine Hinduism Today in the year 2021.

Dr. Lathi knew that IDRF collects funds to support educational and social institutions in India. He states, “This was a good fit for what I wanted… IDRF was the right charity.”

You can read more about Charitable Remainder Trusts here.

California based Ms. Reena Goyal has been IDRF’s donor and volunteer over the past 4 years. She is actively involved in supporting IDRF’s education programs. In Dec 2015, she visited our partner NGO ‘Shiksha Bharati’ which imparts innovative and holistic education to the most deprived tribal girls through a unique residential program.

Here is Ms Reena’s report from the visit:

“As I stay connected to these girls and their warden via phone and whatsapp, excitement was growing with my program being finalized to visit India. One day while on phone with a bunch of hostel girl, I asked them what should I bring for you from America and unified answer was ‘Didi, bus aap aa jao’ they just wanted me to visit , especially when I told them that I was keeping extremely busy with my job and it’s possible that we don’t meet this year.

I insisted that they give me a clue and then something clicked to me and I asked how about a doll, do you girls have a doll? And as an answer I heard giggles and I knew what I am going to get for the girls this year.

Shopping for 37 girls in Grade 2 to 7 was just too much fun but it worried me that I might be stopped at Delhi airport if my suitcases are opened up and found filled with so many dolls.
Nothing happened and I reached hostel. I can’t describe my happiness when girls were waiting for me and came running to their Reena didi. I distributed their presents and requested hostel administration to arrange a dance and fashion show party with food of their choice on upcoming weekend.

That dance night was the night when I became friends with them all over again, heard their stories, their plans to change their own life and the world and was very proud when couple of girls also asked what exams they should take to go to USA for higher studies.

I am very satisfied with how school /hostel administration is nurturing these girls and how donor’s money is working towards the goal. I recommend donors to visit this hostel on their next trip to India, it’s worth all your efforts to empower these girls!”