Shadhika

“Dear Shadhika Community,

In 1992, Shadhika began our gender justice journey, leading to our vision today: that every person in India can choose their own path to meaning, purpose, and happiness. Guided by this vision, Shadhika has partnered with 24 women-led grassroots organizations, reached over 150,000 girls and community members by supporting girl-centered skills-building programming, academic tutoring, and has supported 228 Scholars in completing their postsecondary education. The measurable impact Shadhika has had on individuals and communities is undeniable.

However, despite our successes, Shadhika has reached a watershed moment. After much deliberation and with heavy hearts, the Shadhika Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to close Shadhika’s doors by June 2025. Over the last 3-4 years, the political and social environment has radically shifted in both the US and India, presenting new and unforeseen challenges. Despite our best efforts and continued dedication to our gender justice and equity work, we have encountered significant obstacles in sustaining our funding. Coupled with operational complexities and the evolving landscape of nonprofit work, these factors have led us to the carefully considered conclusion to sunset the organization.

While this decision fills us with sadness, it also presents an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to Shadhika’s mission and to the young women we serve. Throughout Shadhika’s 32 years of work, we have learned that achieving greater equity requires full engagement and commitment. Shadhika’s Partners have been instrumental in creating more gender-equitable practices, policies, and systems within their organizations and communities. Though this work has been challenging, it has shown us the importance of collective effort and dedication to bring about meaningful change.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Shadhika community for your unwavering support over the years. We also want to convey our profound respect and appreciation for our Program Partners, whose work in gender justice has been transformational throughout India.

We are appealing to this community now for our last ask: Help us fulfill our commitments to Shadhika’s Scholars and Program Partners who are urgently counting on these resources. Between now and the end of 2024, our final campaign aims to raise a minimum of $250,000. These funds will:
– Resource our Program Partners to fulfill our commitments to their gender-justice programs which ensure that girls are able to stay in school and avoid early, forced marriage
– Fulfill scholarship commitments to the remaining 100 Scholars enrolled in postsecondary education
– Allow us to retain key staff members to ensure continuity and successfully transition our initiatives through June 2025

Our commitment to supporting Shadhika Scholars and Partners remains steadfast. Over the past 32 years, Shadhika has supported countless young women to pursue their dreams and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities. We are determined to honor that legacy by ensuring that every Scholar and Program Partner receives the support they need to succeed. Even though Shadhika will sunset, our Partners on the ground will continue to be actively engaged in gender justice work, charting pathways toward a gender equal future and building trustworthy relationships and networks that align with a shared vision of gender equity in India.

We also want to express our deep gratitude to the remarkable staff of Shadhika. Their dedication, effort, and passion have been invaluable to our organization’s impact. Each member of our team has brought their unique talents and commitment to advancing our mission, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless young women.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our cause, and in advance, for giving as generously as you can today. With your help, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of young women across India, empowering them to create a brighter future for themselves and future generations.“

With heartfelt gratitude,
Shadhika Board of Directors

Please reach out to us at boardchairs.shadhika.org if you have any questions or thoughts.

FAQs

Why is Shadhika sunsetting?

Shadhika has faced significant financial challenges, limitations in fundraising efforts, and operational complexities that have made it difficult to sustain our operations. Like many other organizations working in this sector, Shadhika has felt the impact of changing political and economic environments in India and the U.S. Despite this, Shadhika has grown its programmatic reach and has endeavored to ensure access to education and rights for more girls and women in India. In 2023, Shadhika launched multiple fundraising campaigns across platforms and applied to a significant number of grants that supported global educational initiatives. Unfortunately, these fundraising efforts did not raise the funds necessary to sustain Shadhika’s continued operations. 

With the challenges Shadhika has faced in recent years to raise funds, the Board of Directors is ensuring that Shadhika does not commit to additional program grants and scholarships that it is unable to fulfill in the coming years. Therefore, after careful consideration, the Board has decided that sunsetting by June 2025 would allow Shadhika to honor its commitments to all Program Partners and ensure a streamlined and gracefully executed closure. 

Can Shadhika continue to exist in another form?

The Board of Directors has explored many options for Shadhika’s continued work including reimagining the organization and merging with other entities. The Board found that these options were not viable and has decided to proceed with sunsetting by June 2025. However, Shadhika is committed to ensuring that our mission and values continue to inspire and impact the communities we have served. Shadhika’s legacy however does not end in 2025. Shadhika’s Program Partners have been leading gender justice work in India for many years and will continue to support women’s and girls’ rights and opportunities in the decades to come. Shadhika will be providing information on how to support this work beyond the sunset date.

What will happen to Shadhika’s current Scholars and Partners?

Shadhika will remain committed to supporting all Scholars and Partners until the very end. We are committed to supporting all current Shadhika Scholars through to the completion of their current educational programs. Shadhika is determined to meet its current commitments and ensure that all current Scholars and Partners receive the support they need during this transition.

How can supporters help during this transition?

Shadhika will be fundraising through 2024 to fulfill all its commitments to Scholars and Partners. A minimum of $250,000 will be needed to fulfill these commitments and sustain essential operations. Shadhika appreciates any support you can provide, whether through donations, spreading the word about our fundraising campaign, or connecting us with potential donors. Your continued engagement is crucial to fulfilling our commitments and honoring Shadhika’s legacy.

How will the sunsetting of Shadhika affect the current projects by Program Partners?

Shadhika prioritizes honoring all grant commitments to Program Partners (including 2025) and will support these organizations through this transition. Contingent on meeting Shadhika’s $250,000 fundraising goals for the second half of 2024, Shadhika will ensure that all necessary support is provided to Program Partners to complete their projects for 2024 and 2025 as planned.