about jpf

the jpf story

In the Fall of 2018, we, the affiliates of Jnana Prabodhini organization in India, situated in the United States for higher education or jobs, started convening on a weekly basis. We habitually discussed our homeland, India and the contemporary nationwide challenges it faced.

Although these meetings were initially informal, the thought of contributing back in some form or the other was making rounds. Together, we identified education, rural development and women leadership as the areas that need urgent attention. Aiming to mobilize finances and expertise for our cause, we conceived of Jnana Prabodhini Foundation (JPF) in the Fall of 2019, almost a year later.

Adhering to the values of our parent organization, JPF is a non-political, non-profit organization committed to the cause of social welfare in India through the three target areas we have identified. However, not confined to India, we plan on a presence in the US and abroad.

With the support of Jnana Prabodhini’s extensive global network combined with the encouragement of our alma mater, we have set out on this honest mission.

About Jnana Prabodhini, India

Jnana Prabodhini, JPF’s parent organization is a non-profit headquartered in Pune, India. Founded in 1962 as an educational and research institution, Jnana Prabodhini’s work has now expanded to rural development, women empowerment, healthcare, and national integration. Jnana Prabodhini directly reaches over 100,000 people through its 5 main centers (Pune, Nigdi, Solapur, Harali, and Ambajogai) and several other concerted programs spread across Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, and the North-East. Today it continues to grow as a dedicated, multi-faceted, non-partisan, and spiritually-guided organization.

www.jnanaprabodhini.org

read by-laws

jpf story

mission

We focus on advancing education and health in underserved communities. We support students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing quality education through financial assistance, educational resources, and skill development. We also promote women’s financial independence, health, and leadership development.

jpf Logo

The logo stands for the community-orientated approach the Jnana Prabodhini Foundation upholds in all three of its verticals. One can see the letters J, P, and F in the logo. The three circles indicate people, again symbolizing the community orientedness of our work. Lastly, the symmetry within J and P letters form a knot like design that stands for the ties we have with our motherland.

Our Mission

Financials

financials

Advisory committee

Suvarna Gokhle

Suvarna Gokhle, a social entrepreneur who is selflessly committed to the cause of developing leadership among rural women. Her 30 years of work in the field of women leadership and rural development has helped thousands of families to confidently stand on their feet. Through her efforts in running over 300 self-help groups in remote rugged terrains surrounding Pune, India, she is a strong advocate of rural transformation through women empowerment. Fostering a sense of identity among voiceless women, she has inspired rural women to champion social change through economic independence.

Subhash Deshpande

Subhash Deshpande, fondly known as Subhashrao, has been a leader in the social sector for over 50 years. As the trust secretary of Jnana Prabodhini, Subashrao has driven development, engaged communities, and implemented effective solutions in Jnana Prabodhini’s work in rural development, business management and training, social entrepreneurship, and education. By preparing a blueprint for 225 villages, Subashrao has led efforts to empower Indian villages toward self-sustainability. Along with designing projects that promote hygiene and sanitation, Subashrao has also focused on developing women entrepreneurs and mitigating the water crisis in villages near Pune.

Dr. Shamkant Navathe

Dr. Shamkant Navathe is a computer scientist and professor renowned for his contributions to database systems. He has authored books and papers on conceptual modeling, database design, and data integration. Navathe's work earned him prestigious awards including ACM SIGMOD Contributions Award and IEEE TCDE Service Award. He is also actively involved in social work, promoting computer literacy in underprivileged communities through collaborations with organizations like Atlanta Public Schools and International Community School. Through his work, Navathe has helped bridge the digital divide and promote equal access to education and technology.

adv commitee

team