Nirnaya Trust

Mission

To support the advancement of the most marginalized sections of urban and rural grassroots women and girls. To change the general perception in society that women are not good decision makers or lacking in capability To create a resource base for women who are unable to match the requirements to participate in the regular development programs for grassroots people. To raise the consciousness in our society about these marginalized women

Programs

Grantmaking to community based women's groups. Fundriasing and Human Resource Development of grantees and staff / board

Funded Projects on GlobalGiving

Empower Indian Women With Legal Aid and Training	Sewing cooperative for isolated Muslim women	Restore Land to Tribal Women in India	Vikasini: educating girls of urban Indian slum
India: Financial support for urban girl's school	India: Dalit Women and girls receive health edu.	Health classes for Dalit women and girls in India

Personnel Overview

Indira Jena - Founder/Managing Trustee
Indira is an economist with 20 years experience in the women's movement, including heading a funding agency's women's department. She specializes in networking female employees in rural grassroots NGOs, and providing training on project management and monitoring. She is the author of Herstory, a book on the role of women in the Indian Independence struggle in the states of Orissa and Bihar.

Uma Maheshwari - Founder/Program Coordinator
Uma is a sociologist with 20 years involvement in the women's movement, including working for a rural NGO. In her role as Program Coordinator at Nirnaya, she visits grantees and reviews their projects. Uma also has a background in herbal and traditional practices and is the co-author of a book on the topic. She also co-authored a book on the role of women in the Telengana Peasant Struggle.

Sangeetha Pearl - Communications Officer
Since receiving her commerce degree 10 years ago, Sangeetha has handled development for a variety of women's projects. At Nirnaya she manages communications with government departments, board and advisory council members, and acts as a liaison between grantees and the Managing Trustee. She also prepares budgets and project proposals for Nirnaya, and provides similar assistance to grantees.

Personnel Statistics

Indira Jena,
Mananging Trust / CEO
Founded in 1998
Employees: 6
Volunteers: 10

Financial Statistics

Budget (2006): $ 150,000
Budget (2005): $ 120,000
Maximum Budget: $ 180,000
Overhead: 30 %
Other funding sources: Ford Foundation, Global fund For Women, Mama Cash, A&C Kumar Family Foundation, individual donors / Diaspora, corporates in India
Religious Affiliation: Secular organization supporting communal harmony