What We Do
Supported Programs
Educate Girls is a U.S.-based charity dedicated to ensuring girls’ access to quality education in India by raising financial support in the U.S. and engaging in strategic grantmaking through local implementation partners in India. Our grantmaking approach is both strategic and outcomes-focused, aiming to address educational barriers faced by girls and young women. We support local, community-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are deeply embedded in their communities and equipped to tackle local challenges effectively.
Our grants are designed to achieve specific, measurable goals. Funds are allocated based on performance milestones, ensuring that resources are used efficiently to drive tangible results. In addition to financial support, our implementing partners share knowledge, expertise, technical assistance, and training with each other to enhance their capabilities and achieve their objectives. By fostering strong, localized partnerships, we ensure that our efforts are not only impactful but also sustainable, building a foundation for long-term educational reform and empowerment.
Educate Girls US supports the following programs in India through FCRA-registered NGOs.
Our vision is that every girl is in school,
learning & completes at least 12 years of education.
Vidya Program
Leveraging government public school infrastructure and community engagement to reintegrate out-of-school girls aged 6-14 into the mainstream education system
Our Vidya partners recruit a network of village-based community volunteers and gender champions, known as Team Balika, to aid in the identification, mobilization, and enrollment of marginalized girls in rural geographies. Once enrolled, our partners ensure girls are learning well by offering supplemental classes to improve their learning outcomes. Many of these girls face steep challenges in catching up with their peers, as they are often the first generation of girls in their families to attend school. To address these gaps, we use a micro-competency-based, in-school curriculum, known as Gyan Ka Pitara (GKP or “Box of Knowledge”), tailored for children in grades 3-5. This approach focuses on strengthening core skills and enabling new learners to build the foundation needed for academic success and long-term educational attainment.
Pragati Program
Providing a second chance at education for adolescent girls and young women 15-29 whose education has been disrupted.
Launched in 2021, the Pragati program addresses the critical lack of secondary education access for out-of-school girls through community-based learning camps and government partnerships. Utilizing the State Open School system and curriculum, Pragati offers community-based learning camps where learners gain vital 21st-century skills and prepare to take their 10th grade exam—a certification critical for entry-level jobs, vocational training, and accessing other life opportunities. Facilitated by local mentors known as Preraks, these camps build girls’ aspirations and as well as community ownership. Learners gain agency, confidence, life skills, and their 10th grade credential, unlocking new opportunities for their futures. Additionally, to address the limited availability of functional open schools, Pragati works with state governments to enhance and establish State Open School programs. This is done through the establishment of Technical Advisory Units (TAUs), which are embedded within education ministries to provide ongoing support and guidance and drive population-level systems change.
