Mission
Equality, dignity and rights
- Our mission is to be a partner in the struggle to eliminate caste-based discrimination and ensure
- equality and equal rights for all, by:
- Supporting groups engaged in the struggle for social change.
- Promoting new leaders committed to the ideology of equality and equal rights for all.
- Creating public understanding and favorable public opinion.
Vision
We envision a society in South Asia where Dalit communities, especially women, live with dignity and have equal opportunity, and social and economic justice.
Accelerating change for equality
The Dalit Foundation has its genesis in the search for institutional support by activists and individuals involved in the Dalit communities struggle for equality.
It was felt that setting up a foundation to focus on segments living in extreme poverty and facing acute caste-based discrimination, would accelerate the process of change in the lives of Dalit communities.
The Foundation would strengthen these communities, with special focus on women. It would support capacity building and networking. Individuals and institutions, both domestic and international, would support the Foundation.
Focus
The foundation focuses on areas, especially in northen India, where Dalit concerns need to be addressed. It seeks to support new initiatives led by Dalits in neglected areas, while strengthening existing movements and groups.
Objectives
- Eradicate untouchability, social discrimination and caste-based atrocities, with emphasis on Dalit women.
- Provide support for livelihood-minimum wages, education, health, housing and insurance for laborers in the unorganized sector.
- Rights over land, water bodies, villages, forests ad other means of production.
- Create public understanding and favorable public opinion.
- The foundation supports voluntary organizations to access government programs and resources.
Funds are normally allocated as follows:
By Type
| Voluntary organizations with an annual budget not exceeding Rs. 10 lakh (large organizations supported in exceptional cases) | 5 0% |
| Individual fellowships | 15% |
| Networking and advocacy | 25% |
| Educational scholarships | 5% |
| Organizations working with tribals and minorities | 5% |
By region
| North-Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar | 40% |
| East-Jharkhand, Chhattisgarth, Assam, Orissa and West Bengal | 20% |
| West-Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa | 20% |
| South-Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Kamataka and Pondicherry | 20% |
Who can apply
( I ) Registered Indian organization which:
- Work in an innovative manner to bring about change on a range of issues affecting Dalit rights, such as land reforms, untouchability and manual scavenging
- Have an annual income budget not exceeding Rs. 10 lakh.
- Are led by people – especially women – from the discriminated community.
- Do not focus on a single sub-caste.
- Are not associated with any political party.
- Have not been convicted of any offence.
(2) Individuals (for fellowship) who:
- Are not paid employees or consultants with organizations.
- Are engaged in their individual capacity as activists or researchers, and who have either adequate academic qualification or work experience.
- Come from a background of discrimination and/or poverty.
- Are not office bearers of any political party and who have not been convicted of any offence that would adversely affect the credibility of the Foundation.
How to apply
An increasing number of groups and individuals working for Dalit communities are looking for expression. The Dalit Foundation, with its very limited resources, is a partner in fulfilling their aspirations. However, larger initiatives and events can be supported only with the growth of the Foundation. We, therefore, request that you read the eligibility criteria and the application procedure very carefully before you proceed.
Step 1
The Foundation invites organizations and individuals to submit a proposal idea in the form of a letter of inquiry. The letter should not be more than a page long, and should summaries the background, the project idea, expected results and budget required. Organizations will need to indicate current budget and FCRA status. Grant amounts will not exceed Rs. 3 lakh per year. Within a month, we will inform you whether the idea falls within the Foundation’s priority areas or not.
Step 2
If the letter of inquiry is accepted, our representative will visit you and you will be asked to formulate a full proposal clearly spelling out the indicators for assessing impact.
Step 3
The proposal will be independently assessed by a panel of trustees / advisors, and its decision will be final.
The entire assessment process could take between three and four months.
Contact:
The Dalit Foundation
Registered Office
C-105, Royal Chinmay, Next to Simandhar Tower, Opp. Judges Bungalow, Bodakdev, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad – 380 054, Gujrat
Administrative Office
D/25-D, South Extension Part II, New Delhi 110 049 Tel:+91-011-51640929, Fax:+91-011-51643982
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.dalitfoundation.org