The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

06/19/2026

This spring, Akanksha Education Fund Executive Director Sejal Desai led a two-part session on The Power of Networking as part of the LevelUp Club Initiative, a specialized youth leadership and career-readiness program for The Akanksha Foundation alumni.

The sessions explored the importance of networking, practical strategies for building meaningful connections, ways to develop valuable interpersonal skills, and the short- and long-term benefits networking can have on career growth.

During the first session, Sejal was joined by a panel of Akanksha alumni—Ojas Lahoti, Manisha Jain, and Swapnil Chawa—who shared personal stories about how networking helped create opportunities and shape their professional journeys.

In the second session, Akanksha Seattle Regional Council Member Sid Gavandi and Emerging Leader Co-Lead Anandi Malik offered insights from their own career paths and shared advice on building authentic professional relationships.

Interpersonal skills such as networking are critical to career readiness and long-term success, and Akanksha is proud to support students as they navigate their school-to-work journeys.

A heartfelt thank you to all our panelists and volunteers who made these sessions possible!

06/17/2026

Earlier this spring, Akanksha hosted its inspiring "Breaking Barriers, Building Futures" Gala in New York City. The evening brought together supporters, partners, and friends around a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities for young people.

We were honored to see the event featured in “Holding Events that Stand Out and Produce Results,” a recent article published in the South Asian Herald by Neha Gupta, Alex Counts, and Shoba Viswanathan of the India Philanthropy Alliance.

The article explores best practices for fundraising events and highlights several elements of the Akanksha Gala—from storytelling and community-building to donor engagement—as examples of approaches that can help create meaningful experiences and drive impact.

We're grateful to the authors for including Akanksha in this broader conversation about effective philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.

Akanksha is proud to be a member of the India Philanthropy Alliance and thankful for the partnership, support, and leadership of its members and staff.

LINK:

Human beings are social animals, and South Asians drawn to charitable causes are hardly exceptions. If anything, they may represent an extreme example of this truth fact. So, it should not…

06/15/2026

In December 2025, the Maharashtra Junior Girls Football Team made history by securing its first-ever victory in the National Football Championship (Tier 2).

Guiding the team as Assistant Coach was Akanksha alum Suhasini Uplanchi.

What began as a love for football on a school playground grew into a career driven by a deep passion for the game. Today, Suhasini is helping young athletes pursue their own dreams.

In Episode 1 of Made For More, Suhasini reflects on her journey from her school days at Akanksha to the football field, and the experiences that shaped her along the way.

Watch the full episode and discover the story behind the achievement.



The Akanksha Foundation

Link:

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06/12/2026

What does opportunity make possible?

With the right foundation, young people do not just dream bigger, they build meaningful pathways for themselves, their families, and their communities. Made For More is a new podcast series by The Akanksha Foundation, featuring conversations with Akanksha alumni who are pursuing diverse careers and lives of purpose.

Hosted by Pragya Deepak, a student volunteer from Bombay International School, and shot on an Apple iPhone, the series is rooted in youth-led storytelling and the belief that long-term impact is seen in what students go on to do beyond the classroom.

Because our students were always made for more.

https://youtu.be/A7CMEOP1tYs?si=TVBQZWIdiJ3HW-tI

What inspires a young person to choose purpose over predictability?...

06/09/2026

Earlier this spring, Akanksha hosted its inspiring Breaking Barriers, Building Futures gala in New York City. The evening was filled with energy, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to Akanksha’s mission of empowering young people through education and opportunity.

Guests heard from engaging speakers, listened to inspiring stories, and connected with Akanksha alumni, community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters who are helping create brighter futures for the next generation.

We’re proud to share the complete Breaking Barriers, Building Futures playlist on our YouTube channel. Whether you’d like to revisit a specific segment or watch the program in its entirety, we invite you to explore the conversations, insights, and stories that made the evening so memorable.

Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss future content and updates.

Thank you to our speakers, supporters, and the entire Akanksha family. We are grateful for your partnership and proud to have you with us on this journey.

The Akanksha Foundation

Youtube Playlist:

Akanksha Education Fund's Gala, held in NYC on May 1, 2026. This is the recording of the full program.

06/05/2026

Recently, Akanksha hosted EdVentures, their professional development program designed to deepen teaching and learning across the Akanksha network.

Each year, new educators come together for discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging sessions that explore Akanksha’s holistic approach to education — all while building community and having fun along the way.

This year, we were excited to welcome more than 80 new educators to the team, and we look forward to seeing their growth and impact in the year ahead!

Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edventures-2026-is-here-ugcPost-7462463956633341952-QLyE/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADQbmyoBwE7k9eTGly9CXLl1WY-bYNnka7g

The Akanksha Foundation

Edventures is how new teachers begin their journey at Akanksha. It's a 5-day journey of learning, bonding and fun, designed to welcome and train our newest teachers the Akanksha way. Over the next few days, our new teachers will hear inspiring stories, meet alumni and school leaders, learn about our...

06/03/2026

This summer, get a glimpse into how art makes a meaningful impact on the lives of Akanksha students.

‘How the Akanksha Children Found Their Colours’ is a ten-day exhibition at 47-A, Khotachi Wadi, a beautiful 19th-century Portuguese house in Girgaum, where students and alumni from underserved communities show you what becomes possible when children are truly seen and given the right direction.

It is an expansive, multi-day exploration into the meaning and impact of art and art education in children's lives.

If you are in Mumbai this week, make a note to visit this incredible show.
47-A, Khotachi Wadi, Girgaum -- May 29 to June 7, 2026.

This unique series of exhibitions are windows into what becomes possible when children from underserved communities have access to schools that nurture creativity alongside academic learning, confidence alongside capability and individuality alongside opportunity.

Please view the show docket here -- it is filled with stories, reflections, and stunning imagery: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I31UZDGq3s8ANJhWc-8wZL1itHGzGWCD/view?usp=drive_link

Come experience the stories hidden inside every brushstroke. To learn more, please email [email protected].

The Akanksha Foundation Art for Akanksha

06/01/2026

Summer is the perfect time to visit an Akanksha school.

Experience firsthand the impact an Akanksha education has on students, families, and communities across India.

Akanksha schools provide children from underserved communities with a holistic education that combines rigorous academics with arts, sports, and social-emotional learning, helping students build the skills and confidence to thrive.

During a typical visit, guests tour classrooms, meet school leaders and students, observe Akanksha’s teaching methodologies in action, and gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant school community.

Akanksha currently operates 27 schools across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. Please click here to view the full list of schools.

To learn more about the experience of visiting an Akanksha school, read the reflection below from an Akanksha Board Member following her recent visit.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/srividya-prakash-a64856103_there-is-no-better-way-to-experience-the-ugcPost-7435859512135180288-oT66?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADQbmyoBwE7k9eTGly9CXLl1WY-bYNnka7g

The Akanksha Foundation

There is no better way to experience the full essence of Akanksha than to immerse oneself in a school visit. I was fortunate to enjoy "Utkarsh", the inaugural Math and Science Day at The Akanksha Foundation's CSMEMS Kasarwadi (Pune) school and experience the richness of the school experience. My per...

05/29/2026

Attention young writers!

The India Philanthropy Alliance is now accepting submissions for the 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition. This year's theme is .

The essay competition encourages Middle School and High School students to identify the greatest area of need in India and write a personal essay with well-researched solutions. This is a great way for youth to enhance their writing and critical thinking skills.

The winners in each category will be invited to attend the IPA and Indiaspora Philanthropy Summit in Dallas TX, where they will participate in a fireside chat about their essay.

They will also be awarded a grant to give to the non-profit organization of their choosing. Additionally, the top 10 finalists in the High School category will be invited to attend The World Food Prize Foundation's Global Youth Institute in October.

Entries are due July 1, 2026.

India Philanthropy Alliance

05/27/2026

If you are traveling to Mumbai in early June, make a note to visit Art for Akanksha's "How the Akanksha Children Found Their Colours" -- an incredible, multi-day exploration into the meaning and impact of art and art education in children's lives.

It is a window into what becomes possible when children from underserved communities have access to schools that nurture creativity alongside academic learning, confidence alongside capability and individuality alongside opportunity.

Come experience the stories hidden inside every brushstroke at 47-A, Khotachi Wadi, Girgaum from May 29 to June 7.

Celebrating 30 years of Art for Akanksha.

The Akanksha Foundation Art for Akanksha