View source for Dhaan Organization, USA

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Name: Sourashtra Dhaan Organization (often simply “Dhaan”)

Established: 2015

Based in: Dallas / Plano, Texas, USA

Legal Status: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity serving the Sourashtra community.

== Mission & Purpose ==
Dhaan was founded by a group of individuals in the Sourashtra diaspora in the USA as a way to give back. Its core mission is to address unmet needs in the Sourashtra community, both in the United States and India.  

The organization emphasizes:

•	Educational assistance (scholarships, programs) for students who are economically disadvantaged. 

•	Cultural and heritage support (particularly for weaver colonies and heritage projects) among Sourashtrians.  

•	Medical, welfare, and senior care services in needy areas.  

•	Youth leadership and skill development via events like walkathons, debate coaching, etc.  

== Key Programs & Activities ==
Here are some of the major programs Dhaan runs:

== Governance & Financial Principles ==
•	Dhaan is run by a board of Sourashtra trustees/volunteers. Key named officers include Bhalaji Kumar (Principal Officer) and Madhan Thirukonda. 

•	The organization emphasizes low overhead costs and accountability: planning projects with clear benefit, financial transparency, and ensuring funds go to the intended purposes.  

•	It also has an Education Endowment Fund, where only the interest is used for educational projects, preserving the principal to sustain long-term impact

== Impact & Noteworthy Highlights ==
•	Dhaan is considered among the prominent charitable organizations of the Sourashtra diaspora, particularly in the USA, for its consistent service across sectors (education, health, heritage).    

•	Youth engagement is strong: e.g., the “Sourashtra Walkathon” is a recurring North American event, which fosters both community bonding and fundraising for education.   

•	It received the BVK Sourashtrain Global Achievers Award in 2024, recognizing its contributions.  

== Challenges and Future Opportunities ==
Challenges:

•	Scaling up support to reach more students, particularly in remote or under-served areas.

•	Maintaining donor engagement, especially across geographic distance (US-India) and over time.

•	Ensuring continuity of projects (e.g., hospital support, heritage work) with reliable funding and volunteer/staff strength.
Opportunities:

•	More online / virtual programs (mentoring, digital labs) so students anywhere can benefit.

•	Partnerships with educational institutions, NGOs, local governments, especially in India, to expand reach.

•	Increased heritage documentation, weaving innovation, promoting Sourashtra crafts etc.

•	Youth leadership development so that the next generation of Sourashtrians continues the work.

== Significance & Legacy ==
Sourashtra Dhaan Organization stands as a strong model of diaspora philanthropy. It connects the resources and goodwill of Sourashtrians abroad with tangible, practical work in education, heritage, health, and welfare. It does more than charity — it builds community resilience, identity, and cross-border bonds.
For many beneficiaries, Dhaan has been a bridge to opportunities (through scholarships), to improved health, and to being part of a larger, caring community.

== References: ==
1.	Dhaan Organization, USA  https://www.dhaan.org/

2.	Sourashtra Dhaan Organization https://www.guidestar.org/profile/47-5320722