Introduction 

Project Nanhi Kali, which means "a little bud" in Hindi, is a large Indian NGO that focuses on educating girls from disadvantaged situations throughout India. Started in 1996 by Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, the Project seeks to provide holistic educational support to girls below the poverty line (BPL) whom it wishes to help complete school. 

Project Nanhi Kali is co-managed by the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and the Naandi Foundation. The K.C. Mahindra Education Trust’s focus is on promoting education and literacy, while the Naandi Foundation was founded in 1998 to promote sustainable development and social transformation. Together these organizations have scaled the reach and impact of Project Nanhi Kali to make it one of India's biggest programs for the education of the girl child. 

Significance 

Since inception, Project Nanhi Kali has benefitted more than 874,000 girls across 15 states in India, providing them with academic resources, life skills training, and materials to get them through 10 years of formal schooling. The program's comprehensive approach removes educational and social barriers that restrict girls from thriving and positively impacting their communities.

What is Project Nanhi Kali?

Project Nanhi Kali (meaning "a little bud" in Hindi) is a nonprofit initiative aimed to ensure the education of disadvantaged girls throughout India. The project was launched in 1996, with the goal of providing academic and material support to girls from economically disadvantaged family backgrounds so they are able to remain in school and obtain their education.

History and Year of Initiation

In 1996, Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, recognized the issues faced by underprivileged girls accessing education. The project began as an initiative to help alleviate these barriers and create gender equality through education.

Who started Project Nanhi Kali?

The project was started by Anand Mahindra, and is run by two organizations:

• K.C. Mahindra Education Trust: Focuses on promoting education and literacy in India.
• Naandi Foundation: This was established in 1998, and focuses on sustainable development and social transformation.
• The partnership of these organizations has effectively elevated Project Nanhi Kali into one of the largest programs for girl child education in India.

Core Mission and Vision

Mission: 

To provide underprivileged girls in India access to quality education so that she completes 10 years of formal schooling and has the necessary skills to continue education and work.

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Vision: 

To empower girls, through education, to become suitable individuals who can contribute positively to the world. Ultimately, creating a gender-equal society that breaks the cycle of poverty and promotes equity in society.

Operational Areas: States Where Project Nanhi Kali Actions

Project Nanhi Kali's location of operations is in a wide range of Indian states that are most in need of providing education and empowerment for girl children.

Main Goals of Project Nanhi Kali

Project Nanhi Kali is structured in a strong belief of social impact and education empowerment of disadvantaged girls. The core goals of Project Nanhi Kali include:

• Promoting girl child education by enabling access to quality learning experiences for less privileged girls.
• Reducing school dropouts by providing ongoing academic support, emotional support and life skills which help them transition to the lives they want.
• Providing examinations materials such as uniforms and notebooks, school supplies, and digital learning equipment.
• Empowering girls for a better future by building their confidence to succeed, To build their life skills to open up their correct learning pathway, and long term opportunities and sustainable jobs.

Benefits Delivered by Project Nanhi Kali

• Project Nanhi Kali offers a series of comprehensive, girl-centred supports to make education accessible, engaging, and sustainable for girls. The benefits we provide include:
• Academic Support: The girl beneficiary receives regular private tutoring sessions, special classes, and life skills education to create stronger educational and attitudinal outcomes.
• School Supplies: Distribution of uniforms, notebooks, stationery, and other school supplies help limit financial reliance and costs on household income.
• Digital Learning Kits & Smart Classrooms: Provision of tablets, learning modules, and tech embedded classroom walls is opening up opportunities for online learning for girls. 
• Mentoring and Emotional Support: Through one to one programming each girl receives significant attention to her mental health, well-being, and confidence enrichment. 
• Transportation Help (If Possible): Providing support for girl beneficiaries who may be in isolated communities in order to safely attend school.

Eligibility for Beneficiaries

 Who is Beneficial to the Project?

The target beneficiaries are girls from disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of discontinuing their education as a result of poverty or social conservatism.

Age and education background

Girls aged 5 to 15 years or until they have finished Class 10, whichever is appropriate to them.

 Family Income and the location Criteria

• Beneficiaries are selected based on economic need and, or in general, girls from economically disadvantaged families.
• The project works in many states across India including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

How Project Nanhi Kali is Funded

Project Nanhi Kali has a well-structured and transparent funding model, which utilizes funds from individual donors, corporate CSR initiatives, and institutional support from the Mahindra Group.

1. Individual Donors

Donors can support the education of a girl child with a minimum annual donation (₹6,000–₹12,000). 

Individual sponsorships of the girls includes: 

• academic support
•  school supplies
• offering life-skill training.
• The donors receive annual progress reports detailing everything that has happened with the girl-child they sponsored. The reports allow transparency and personal engagement. 

2. Corporate Contributions

• Project Nanhi Kali collaborates with various companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. 
• Some of the more significant corporate supporters are Capgemini, Microsoft, PNB MetLife, Hindustan Petroleum and Kotak Mahindra Bank. 
• The objective of the collaboration is to deploy Project Nanhi Kali across multiple states by funding education, infrastructure, digital learning and so on.

3. Mahindra Group

• The Mahindra Group was founded by Anand Mahindra and the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust, which was established in 1959, is the primary driver of Project Nanhi Kali. 
• The Mahindra Group is also one of the company´s biggest donors and is funded to keep operational and engaged and expand reach. (Wikipedia and Mahindra Foundation)

Transparent Donation and Impact Tracking

The project has a reputation for providing high accountability and impact tracking.

Donors receive:

• Academics and attendance updates
• Financial statements
• Impact stories from the girls supported

How to Support or Donate to Project Nanhi Kali

By supporting Project Nanhi Kali, you are making an investment in a girls access to education and a better future. Whether your organization is an individual or corporate donor, your donation will directly support underprivileged girls across India. 

 How to Sponsor a Girl Child

• Visit the Official Website: www.nanhikali.org 
• Click on the "Donate Now" Button: Make a selection to help Sponsor a Girl Child.
• Select from a Plan: Monthly or Annual donation. 
• Complete the Companion Information: The basic personal details, and your payment information. 
• Complete Payment: The payment will be through secure payment gateways. 
• Receive Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email and receipt.

 Monthly/Annual Donation Plans

• ₹500/month or ₹6,000/year: This supports one girl child for a complete academic year.
• Your donations will help, for example with:
• Academic support & tutorials
• Learning materials & school supplies
• Digital entry, tablet/smart classes
• Mentoring & life skills sessions
• You can also choose to sponsor more than one girl.

Tax Benefits Under Section 80G (India)

• All donations to Project Nanhi Kali are subject to tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 
• You will receive a donation receipt to keep for record and tax filings.

Transparency & Donor Updates

Donors receive periodic updates, including:

• The academic progress of the sponsored child
• Impact reports
• Success stories
• Mahindra Group and Nanhi Kali deliver full transparency with a  specifically itemized manner in which every rupee is dealt.

 Volunteering with Project Nanhi Kali

Volunteering with Project Nanhi Kali is a valuable contribution to the education and empowerment of underprivileged girls in India.

 Eligibility

• Anyone over 18 years of age
• College students, working professionals, retirees
• Anyone passionate about the education of the girl child.

 Volunteer Roles and Locations

• Tutoring & academic support through local learning centers
• Life skills training and mentoring sessions
• Awareness campaigns and outreach
• Content creation & Digital storytelling
• Locations across 15 Indian states including being primarily involved in rural, tribal, and urban slums

 Process of Registration and Expectations

• Go to the website www.nanhikali.org
• Fill out the volunteer registration form
• Wait for confirmation and receive training modules
• Depending on respective engagement, many volunteers will receive a certificate of participation

Conclusion 

Project Nanhi Kali stands as a powerful initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged girls in India through education, life skills, and holistic support. By addressing barriers like school dropout, lack of resources, and gender bias, the program creates real change at the grassroots level. With over 874,000 girls supported across 15 states, it proves that investing in girls' education leads to stronger communities and a brighter future. Whether you choose to donate, sponsor a child, or volunteer, your support can transform lives and contribute to building a more equitable and educated India.