30/03/2026
We often talk about scaling startups. But what about scaling impact? At the Desai Foundation, I witnessed something truly powerful.
From a few initiatives… to implementing 30+ programs impacting 12 million+ lives in rural India.
From a small team… to 50+ full-time professionals.
From a handful of villages… to operating in nearly 4,000 villages across 8 states.
That kind of scale is not accidental.
It is designed. It is intentional.
And what stands out even more…
This NGO operates with the clinical efficiency of a well-run corporate.
Established 29 years ago in the US by Samir Desai, and now ably led by Megha S. Desai as President - Desai Foundation, this non-profit organisation became a public, programmatic organization in India in the year 2014.
Supported by leading corporates through their CSR initiatives, this journey reinforces a powerful truth:
NGOs can scale. And when they do, impact compounds exponentially.
It also highlights an important shift.
Doing good work matters.
But creating awareness about that work is equally critical.
Because today, leading corporates are actively looking to support professionally managed, ethical organisations that can deliver impact at scale.
I am delighted to now be part of this journey as a Board Member. While I hope to contribute to scaling this impact further, I know I will equally learn what it truly takes to build something that changes lives at scale.
Because building businesses creates value.
But building impact creates meaning.
Recently, the Desai Foundation organised its first event in Gujarat to celebrate this milestone of impacting 12 million lives.
A meaningful moment. And just the beginning.
Here’s a short glimpse from my talk at the event…