India Development and Relief Fund

India Development and Relief Fund IDRF (USA-based 501 c3) public charity empowering the underprivileged in
India, Nepal & Sri Lanka. www.idrf.org

IDRF is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt public charity based in Maryland, United States. IDRF's grassroots level development programs span across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In our grant-giving process, a major portion of donations is used to support the education and skill development, and self-empowerment of rural/tribal girls/women and children who remain deprived and excluded from the nation’s econom

ic development. IDRF funds also support eco-friendly, sustainable rural development, clean water supply, and sanitation units, mobile medical clinics, and disaster relief and rehabilitation. IDRF has been a proud recipient of 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator and Platinum seal by Guidestar for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. GreatNonProfits.org considers IDRF as a top-rated charity with a 5-star rating, based on independent reviews. IDRF is also a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which allows federal employees to make charitable contributions to vetted organizations. The World Bank has also added IDRF to its Community Connections Fund so that the staff and retirees can donate to IDRF through payroll deductions and direct gifts. IDRF maintains a close collaboration with the Indian-American community and helps them realize their dreams of giving back to their motherland or the land of their ancestors. The marginalized are served by IDRF without regard to religion, caste, or creed. IDRF has been able to maintain its commitment to long-term, sustainable, grassroots development in India, despite keeping its overhead (admin & fundraising) costs to 5%. This ensures that out of every hard-earned dollar you donate to IDRF, 95 cents go directly to the beneficiary NGO. We adhere to the highest standards of accounting, audits, compliance, and transparency. IDRF’s annual financial information (including financial statements prepared by independent auditors) is posted on its website.

This World Environment Day, we celebrate the communities creating practical solutions for a more sustainable future. Rec...
06/05/2026

This World Environment Day, we celebrate the communities creating practical solutions for a more sustainable future. Recent data shows that extreme weather events occurred on 99% of days in 2025 somewhere in India, highlighting the growing importance of local, community-led solutions.

For nearly four decades, IDRF has supported grassroots partners working to promote water security, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and ecosystem conservation across rural India. These initiatives continue to help communities conserve water, improve agricultural resilience, protect natural resources, and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Today, we honor the grassroots leaders, farmers, women, and community members making that future possible every day. Support community-led environmental solutions at IDRF.org.



Samerth Samerth Trust Dharmavana Nature Ark Single Teacher Schools Sangrahalaya Samiti Wardha

What changed in 2025? As our funding expanded to an unprecedented $7.57 million, our commitment to empowering communitie...
06/02/2026

What changed in 2025?
As our funding expanded to an unprecedented $7.57 million, our commitment to empowering communities across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka remained unwavering.

This year, we highlight the stories, milestones, and measurable outcomes made possible through the collective efforts of donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, community leaders, and supporters.

By maintaining an exceptional overhead of under 5%, over 95% of funds were directed to projects through 125 trusted grassroots partnerships. In 2025, this model helped:
📚 Deliver solar-powered digital libraries to 16,000 rural children across 51 schools
🔬 Launch hands-on STEM Tinker Labs in Tamil Nadu
🩺 Treat 505 active cases of anemia through Mission Shakti
🚰 Provide safe sanitation infrastructure to over 1,000 people
💼 Scale revolving microloan initiatives empowering 2,130 women and individuals with disabilities to launch home-based enterprises
🚨 Deploy immediate disaster relief across Solapur and Sri Lanka

As we reflect on the progress of 2025, we also look ahead with renewed purpose and responsibility for the work still to come. Read the full report at IDRF.org.

We are incredibly honored to share that our founder, Dr. Vinod Prakash, has recently been featured in both Bold Journey ...
05/29/2026

We are incredibly honored to share that our founder, Dr. Vinod Prakash, has recently been featured in both Bold Journey Magazine and VoyageBaltimore.

These features highlight the story of a man whose life has been defined by service, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity for over 36 years.

Today, at 92 years old, Dr. Prakash continues to guide IDRF pro bono with the same discipline and empathy that defined our first day. An organization is only as strong as its foundation. Under his visionary guidance, IDRF has spent nearly four decades breaking the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, women-led entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and grassroots development.

His example continues to inspire our mission, our partners, and the communities we serve. As we celebrate this well-deserved recognition, we look forward to the continued impact and future ahead for IDRF.

Thank you to Bold Journey and VoyageBaltimore.
Read the full, inspiring features here:
📖 Bold Journey Feature: https://boldjourney.com/meet-dr-vinod-prakash-2/
📖 VoyageBaltimore Feature: https://voyagebaltimore.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-dr-vinod-prakash-of-other-not-applicable

05/28/2026

For many girls across the world, still shapes whether they can learn confidently, participate fully, and move through life with dignity.

In partnership with Auroville International USA, IDRF is helping ensure schoolgirls across rural India have access to and sustainable sanitary pad kits that support both their well-being and their future.

Be part of the change. Help us build a by empowering girls with the resources and education they deserve. Give today at IDRF.org

"There is one thing women all over the world have in common—fear. Fear of harassment and violence as soon as they enter ...
05/26/2026

"There is one thing women all over the world have in common—fear. Fear of harassment and violence as soon as they enter public spaces." ~ Dr. Kalpana Viswanath

But how do we confront an issue so normalized that much of its impact remains invisible?

Across 10 Gram Panchayats in Ajmer, Rajasthan, IDRF, in partnership with the Partnership for Transparency - PTF (USA) and the Centre for Advocacy & Research - CFAR, set out to address gender-based violence at its roots. Through a coordinated four-year effort combining community mobilization, Panchayat-led governance, and frontline institutional partnerships, this IDRF-supported initiative worked to challenge the structural and social conditions that allow GBV to persist in silence.

So far, the program has reached more than 68,000 people.
It has:
💡 Introduced improved safety infrastructure through streetlights, CCTV systems, and safer public spaces.
⚖️ Raised legal awareness while mobilizing community groups such as Gram Sakhis, Suraksha Sakhis, and women’s forums, who worked directly alongside survivors, and encouraged positive behavioral shifts among men
🤝 Helped ensure that institutional progress was reinforced at the community level.

At IDRF, we continue to support these community-led efforts that shape how women and girls move through public spaces, participate in community life, and perceive their safety and agency. Support this initiative by donating at IDRF.org



Centre for Advocacy & Research - CFAR Partnership for Transparency - PTF UN Women India .bharat Viswanath
Vandana Matravadia Niti Duggal Divya Gupta Adesh Jain

05/22/2026

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, IDRF is proud to support forward-looking organizations like the Siddh Divyang Foundation (SDF). Their work is helping reshape the future of maternal and child healthcare in rural India through early intervention, stronger public health systems, and AI-driven preventative care.

With IDRF's help, SDF is pioneering this shift across Maharashtra by implementing localized capacity building and achieving massive operational scale through Project Vatsalya and Healthy Baby. Using AI-powered analysis, they can now identify high-risk pregnancies earlier, whether related to anemia, nutrition, or occupational exposure.

And in a groundbreaking first step for India’s maternal healthcare landscape, maternal mental health screening is now being integrated directly into pregnancy care, helping healthcare workers identify psychological stressors that often go unnoticed despite their long-term impact on both mother and child.

IDRF applauds this caliber of transformational, empathetic, and data-backed innovation towards the development of India. The impact of this work is long-term because when maternal and early childhood health is protected, there is a powerful ripple effect. Healthy infants grow into thriving children who can learn, excel, and eventually contribute substantially as healthy adults, driving the economy, leading civically, and building stronger communities for generations to come.

🌐 Support this vision. Join us in scaling innovative healthcare solutions across India by donating at IDRF.org.



Siddh Divyang Foundation Mehta (Rotarian) Vandana Matravadia Niti Duggal Divya Gupta Adesh Jain

Established in 1995 by Padmashree awardee Lila Poonawalla and Firoz Poonawalla, the Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) beg...
05/19/2026

Established in 1995 by Padmashree awardee Lila Poonawalla and Firoz Poonawalla, the Lila Poonawalla Foundation (LPF) began with support for just 20 girls. Today, it has empowered nearly 19,000 young women through scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, and holistic skill-building programs.

Since 2009, IDRF’s donor-supported grants have enabled 540 financially challenged yet meritorious girls across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in science, engineering, nursing, and health sciences.

With continued support from IDRF and other partners, LPF aims to reach 25,000 girls by 2030, giving young women across India access to pursue higher education, financial independence, and leadership opportunities.

Congratulations, Asmita. True to the ultimate vision of this scholarship, your success is already creating a massive ripple effect, and your journey is a reminder of what becomes possible when belief is matched with opportunity. Your support continues to transform more lives, just like Asmita's. Sponsor the next story today by donating at IDRF.org.

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Lila Poonawalla Foundation - LPF Vandana Matravadia Adesh Jain Divya Gupta

Your Trust. Our Commitment. 37 Years of Community Transformation.Since 1988, we've reached millions of lives, strengthen...
05/15/2026

Your Trust. Our Commitment. 37 Years of Community Transformation.

Since 1988, we've reached millions of lives, strengthened communities, and supported grassroots initiatives across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This was no different in 2025. The milestones highlighted in 2025’s report are a direct result of collective action and the unwavering trust of our donors, partners, and volunteers who champion our mission.

We ensure 95% of every dollar goes directly to programs and initiatives, and we remain committed to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship. As IDRF looks toward the year ahead, we remain dedicated to empowering and supporting even more communities as they build long-term resilience, opportunity, and independence through our trusted NGO partners.

Thank you for standing with us and driving this mission forward.
Explore our journey: Read the full 2025 Annual Report athttps://www.idrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Final-Annual-Report-2025.pdf

For farming communities whose livelihoods depend entirely on agriculture, water security is the foundation on which ever...
05/12/2026

For farming communities whose livelihoods depend entirely on agriculture, water security is the foundation on which everything else is built. When water resources become unreliable, the effects ripple outward: harvests fail, income becomes unstable, and families are forced to make impossible trade-offs, including decisions that can affect children’s education and long-term opportunities. When children are unable to stay in school consistently due to seasonal migration, entire communities risk losing the human capital needed to grow and thrive over time.

Water scarcity has also been linked to rural-to-urban migration, placing additional strain on already stretched infrastructures while disrupting communities that families have spent generations building. In partnership with Samerth Trust, IDRF is helping strengthen the conditions communities need to remain resilient, sustain livelihoods, and build toward a more stable future on their own terms.

Swipe through to see what addressing water insecurity can look like on the ground and help support community-rooted water security initiatives in Kutch, Gujarat, and beyond, through IDRF.org.



Divya Gupta Vandana Matravadia Gazala Paul Samerth Trust Samerth Adesh Jain DMV Gujarati Club

05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, IDRF celebrates the mothers whose care, leadership, and resilience continue shaping families, communities, and future generations every single day.

Through trusted grassroots partnerships, IDRF honors their care by continuing to invest in the support systems, resources, and opportunities that help mothers move forward with dignity.

Support a mother today at IDRF.org.
Happy Mother’s Day.

Address

5821 Mossrock Drive
North Bethesda, MD
20852

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18554634243

Website

https://linktr.ee/TheIDRF.org

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