Dhaan Organization, USA

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