Scholarship Program
Because of the following four reasons, SHDF is uniquely placed to help these youth pursue professional education careers and enter the center-stage of the knowledge economy that is shaping India’s future.
First, this foundation is focused exclusively on human development of our youth back home through a program of scholarships for higher/ professional education. This is necessary to safeguard our common future.
Second, SHDF, which is run by committed senior professionals from Washington area, has one of the lowest overhead costs amongst non-profits. It has no paid staff and the visits by its council members to India for program oversight and inter-institutional cooperation are paid for by the council members themselves. Therefore, close to 90 percent of each donation goes directly as scholarship money to students.
Third, SHDF works closely with a Government of India recognized and a highly reputable non-governmental organization in India, namely, the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, New Delhi to effectively manage and monitor the delivery of its scholarship program in India.
Fourth, over the past ten years, SHDF has built excellent track record in governance and proven institutional capacity to deliver. It has time-tested procedures to invite applications, verify facts, have them certified by respective heads of institutions, conduct written tests and interviews and calibrate the scholarship amount as per accepted need assessment criteria. Its accounts are annually audited and certified by independent auditors.
In short, SHDF’s strength is its unflagging commitment, its well crafted procedures and systems and proven track record. A rapidly rising number of eligible applicants are putting their faith in SHDF and seeking financial help.