What was the genesis to start the foundation?

When we started Share and Care Foundation (SCF) in 1982, the ecosystem was much friendlier and community was in need of such platform. If I look back, I think the key reflection point was “what we do for our motherland”- when all of us were successful in our career, got reasonably well established and all our needs were well satisfied. Most of us were very conscious that our success was instrumental to somebody’s charity so we could get excellent education almost at no cost. In those days, it was almost unheard of that many of us could travel to USA for further studies or work as family income could not support such venture. So we thought it is the time for us to “Give back” to our motherland who gave us solid grounding and education.

Give us some figures on the enormity of the problems you tackle in India?

Figures are mindboggling, no matter which area you want to tackle.

Earning of a poor family of four was less than a $1 per day in 1980. That means cannot afford two meals, clean water, good sanitation, or education. They represented almost 50% of the population.

Every 3 out of 4 children suffered with mal-nutrition

Over 150 million children did not go to school at all. Another 200 million dropped out of the school before they reached age 11. Girls were neglected right from the childhood for education or healthcare issues.

Infant mortality rate was the highest in world and survival rate of a child below the age of 5 was 30% in 1982.

We have endless data from WHO, UNO, UNESCO and many other reliable agencies who had exposed the enormity of challenges existed in India compared to many other 3^rd world countries of Asia and Africa. We sensed in 1982 that India Government’s machinery is failing and not helping bottom 50% of the population.  Poor were becoming poorer and poorer.

What are some of the challenges you see facing these issue?

Apart from general apathy, ignorance, illiteracy, lack of quality education, gender issues, cultural and faith based ignorance, corruption, bonded and child labor etc. challenges are today same as they were in 1980s. We cannot have growth and development unless quality education and primary healthcare become our prime focus. Clean water, sanitation are the challenges at local and central Government level. Diseases are rampant and therefore dropout rate, lack of attention, enthusiasm for learning are lacking.

India is a complex place where problems are integrated. We cannot just tackle education and not look at hygiene, sanitation, clean water, or nutrition. Similarly with rural healthcare challenges and livelihood opportunities. 

SCF aims to take people from poverty to sustainable livelihood and growth; Entrepreneurship is at the center of the SCF Model.

Yes, SCF needs to support poor, illiterate, hygiene, sanitation, slums, malaria eradication, HIV, advocacy against corruption who steals from our contributions and many such challenges; However, SCF strives to have sound ROI on our programs as its resources are limited; Analogy is who would you give half a glass of milk, to a child or weak 70 years old father?

How does the Share and Care Foundation approach this issue?

• Do basic studies and research of current issues such as rape, women dignity, security, gender inequality  by empowering women  with quality and higher education. 
• Similarly we want to enhance national productivity and wealth by supporting brilliant but needy scholars at 12^th grade enabling them to go to graduate degree courses.
• Sharpened FOCUS, innovative solution helps to measure better with our benchmarks ;
• SCF sets goals at the outset of a grant and those are compared with end results
• Evaluates and audits impact studies with relation to our VISION  and BRAND equity;
• Enhances credibility among and inspires Young and Professionals to support;
• Develops processes, metrics, temples across the Foundation for marketing and communication

Which are the states in India where the work is being implemented?

Share and Care Foundation (SCF) has practically supported any worthy cause coming from any state of India. However, wherever monitoring and evaluation has become a challenge to us, we have stopped working in these areas. Currently, we are quite deeply involved in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and N E India,

Share and Care has its mission and vision statement on its website. We also have detailed our focus areas, our objectives, and goals. Online grants application is available on website and required documents. Any NGO that qualifies within our guidelines may apply online. Upon receiving completed application our competent committee reviews, does due diligence, compares the historic data, their financial sustainability etc before decides on approval and grant amount. It is very professional and educated process. Depending on budget and funds available we approve the amount, communicate with the NGO, and make sure we get follow up reports, financial data and other metrics.

How do you fund the foundation?

Our partners are corporations, private funds, and high net-worth individuals. We have well-oiled marketing and communication channels that keep donors interest alive and pro-active. We provide periodical updates on the projects and appeal for new initiatives. Ours is a community based Foundation where we are receiving funds from over 10,000 donors. Our major drive is at the Annual Gala. We are a qualified registered Foundation under “Indo-US Agreement” and with US AID Agency. This allows us to send in-kind donations such as Medical Equipment duty-free to qualified institutions in India.

Who are your partners and how do they help?

NY Life Foundation, Lucent, Merali Foundation, Doshi Capital, Asha-Vijay Foundation etc are our supporters among over 10,000 small to large individual donors. Over 32 years, we have established very transparent and valuable trust within community. We are very grateful for their faith and trust in the Foundation’s work and support.

Finally how can readers get involved?

Share and Care Foundation from its inception is a voluntary organization. Whoever has a desire, dedication; time and talent are most welcome. Anybody can attend any meeting. Get familiar with our operations and join committees and/or do the voluntary work. If you are out of NJ/NY area, we encourage you to visit our website www.shareandcare.org and read “How you can get involved”.

Or write to Tejal Parekh at tparekh@shareandcare.org

Thanks so much

Arun Bhansali – President

Share and Care Foundation 1982-2014

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