To donate in loving memory of Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah,

Our Vision, Our Mission

For over 20 years, Sikh Human Development Foundation has been on a mission to transform lives through educational access. We believe that socioeconomic circumstances should not dictate one’s access to higher education or their ability to reach their potential.

We award scholarships so financially disadvantaged scholars can access higher education. Over 13,000 scholarships have helped orphans, widows, farmers and more rise above poverty.

But the work is not done. Will you join us to support the incredible scholars waiting for their chance?

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Our Team

Meet The Full Team

Our Story

It started with a desire to open doors.

There were untold numbers of talented, dedicated young people in rural Punjab who had no clear path forward. Circumstances beyond their control had robbed them of their own potential.

Inspired by Sikh Philosophy, the spirit of Sewa, six professionals from the Washington Metro area created the Sikh Human Development Foundation to address this problem.

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The foundation aimed to create opportunities where none existed. In 2001, the foundation awarded its first 22 scholarships, helping to fulfill the dreams of students who showed promise, but came from impoverished families.

Over the last two decades, the foundation has transformed thousands of lives. By investing in hardworking young scholars, the Sikh Human Development Foundation has helped to break the cycle of disadvantage.

Sponsors

Our Deepest Appreciation

We are proud of the work we do, and we could not do it without the generous support of our sponsor organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is SHDF?

The Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization based in Washington, DC, dedicated to providing scholarships for higher education to bright yet financially disadvantaged students in Punjab and neighboring states. Since its inception, SHDF has awarded over 13,000 scholarships, with 75% going to women, transforming lives and communities by bridging the gap in access to education for those who need it most.

What Motivates You?

Guided by the principles of Sikhism, we are committed to serving humanity by addressing urgent needs in our community:

  • Soaring Education Costs: Professional education is now out of reach for many low-income families.
  • Empowering Youth: In a digital age, higher education is vital for securing decent jobs or self-employment.
  • Combatting Despair: Lack of opportunity contributes to alarming drug use among young people.
  • Addressing Farmer Suicides: Punjab faces the highest rate of farmer suicides in India due to severe financial pressures.
  • Supporting Livelihoods: Degraded soil and water quality threaten the primary livelihood of agriculture.
  • Nurturing Potential: Many talented students in Punjab and nearby states can thrive with the right educational support.

How Did SHDF Start?

In 1999, six professionals from the Washington Metro area were moved by the lack of educational opportunities for bright but financially disadvantaged students in Punjab, particularly young women. Inspired by the Sikh philosophy of Sewa (selfless service), they founded the Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) to provide scholarships to these deserving students. Registered as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, SHDF awarded its first 22 scholarships in 2001 to students from families living below the poverty line.

How Does SHDF Operate In India?

How does SHDF operate in India- SHDF has been awarding scholarships since 2001. From the beginning we have partnered with Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council, a well-reputed non-profit organization based in New Delhi, to help implement this program. Nishkam headquarters houses the SHDF Division where full-time staff are engaged in running this program. To implement the program effectively and efficiently, SHDF-Nishkam’s eight centers in Punjab, one in Delhi, and one in Haryana, maintain direct and regular contact and communication with a large number of educational institutions and potential recipients.

SHDF determines the rules and procedures, application formats, as well as selection criteria.

Nishkam officials invite scholarship applications. A written test is conducted, followed by interviews and recommendations. Applications are then sent to SHDF. We review scholarship applications in detail and allocate the amount of need-based scholarship for each applicant.

Who are the scholarship recipients?

All recipients come from low-income families. The average household annual income of the awardees in 2024 was approximately equal to $1,175 per annum—that is, less than US$100 a month (less than 8,000 Rupees a month). Our students include orphans, children of widows, terminally sick parents, farmers who committed suicide, drivers, female tailors operating from home, female domestic servants, Gurdwara sevadars, milkmen, agricultural laborers, pensioners, and others. In recent years, almost three quarters of the scholarship recipients have been young women, and in aggregate around two-thirds are from Punjab villages.

Want To Join The Team

There are many ways for you to lend your support to our missing. It’s your chance to join incredible people who are doing incredible work!

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The Sikh Human Development Foundation is dedicated to catalyzing transformative change by offering scholarships to underserved yet ambitious students across Punjab and nearby regions. Through donor support, the Foundation has helped empower students to pursue advanced education and professional opportunities in diverse fields, awarding over 13,000 scholarships over the past two decades.

© SHDF 2025