This FAQ document is intended to address most of the questions related to Vidya Daanam. On reading this if you are left with any further questions, please send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

1. When was Vidya Daanam Created ?

• Vidya Daanam was formally launched in January 2009

2. Who created it ?

• Vidya Daanam is a Charitable Program, initiated by the team members of Sanatana Dharma Foundation, Dallas, Texas. This is a group of committed professionals who having received the benefits of education in their own lives, want to make a difference in the lives of those who were not so privileged, especially in India.

3. What kind of organization is it?

• Vidya Daanam is Program created by Sanatana Dharma Foundation, which is a non-profit organization.
• Checks may be written directly to ‘Vidya Daanam'

4. When was Sanatana Dharma Foundation created ?

• Sanatana Dharma Foundation was incorporated in Dallas, Texas in March, 2007. It is a Non-Profit organization that has received its 501c3 certification on September 2008.

5. Is Vidya Daanam 501c3 certified?

• Sanatana Dharma Foundation's is a 501c3 certified Non-Profit organization.  Therefore Vidya Daanam is also 501c3 certified. All contributions made to "Vidya Daanam" are tax-deductible.

6. Is it associated with any Guru, Swami  or Acharya?

• Vidya Daanam is primarily inspired by the work of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha and its convener Swamy Dayananda Saraswati

7. Is Vidya Daanam a "Secular Charity" ?

• Vidya Daanam is a ‘Secular' Charity that is being run by ‘Committed Hindus'. The gift of education is primarily a secular activity - which enables a person to break out of the cycle of poverty.

8. How is the money generated by Vidya Daanam going to be used?

• The money generated by Vidya Daanam will be donated to specific Charitable organizations in India which are doing excellent work, in giving the gift of education to under-privileged children in India.
• This is required because, neither Vidya Daanam nor Sanatana Dharma Foundation, being run by US based individuals have the ability to conduct field level charitable works in India at the current time.

9. Which organizations will receive money from Vidya Daanam in 2009 ?

• In 2009, the two organizations which have been chosen are "Aim for Seva" and "Bharat Heritage Foundation".
• Both are doing very important work in the field of education. Since Vidya Daanam is based in the USA, it needs to partner with organizations which are already doing the Field level work, in India.

10. How were these organizations chosen?

• In a sense these organizations chose themselves, by approaching us for donations. They were both well known to SDF members, who have been donating their money on a personal capacity. We are simply formalizing this relationship in 2009.
• However, Vidya Daanam is not limited to contributing to these organizations in any way. It is possible that in future, many more organizations will be beneficiaries of Vidya Daanam.

11. How do Aim for Seva and Bharat Heritage Foundation compare with other charitable organizations?

• From the stand-point of the beneficiaries, they are all doing very good work. Since the number of people who are in need of help and support is very large, (in excess of hundreds of millions of people), there is room for many more charitable organizations
• From the stand-point of the Donors, they will have to choose which charities they wish to support. Please write to us at with your questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will do our best to explain how these organizations are unique. But we have not done any detailed comparative studies with other charitable organizations.

12. How can I be sure that the money I donate is used wisely?

• 100% of the money you donate is channeled to these selected organizations in India.
• These charities are run largely by volunteers who are not employees, which allows the overheads for running these charities to be very low. About 92% of the money you donate, will actually reach the children who benefit from these activities. This compares very favorably with typical administration costs of most charities, which are in the range of 20 to 33%.
• We at Vidya Daanam, will periodically update you on the disbursements that we have made to various charities in India.
• We also welcome you to establish a direct relationship with the projects in India, and take the time to visit the Chatralayas and other programs during your visits to India. We will be glad to facilitate these contacts, with the children who are the real beneficiaries of our work.

13. Who is managing the funds?

• Our partner organizations are managed by individuals with impeccable integrity and track record.
• For example, until recently Aim for Seva, was headed by former President of India, Mr. R. Venkataraman.
• The executive arm of Aim for Seva is headed by Ms. Sheela Balaji. Please visit the Aim for Seva web site for a more detailed description of the people who are involved in the management of Aim for Seva.
• Similarly Bharat Heritage Foundation is managed by Mr. R. Venkatanarayanan, IAS, Retired former Additional Secretary to the Cabinet, Government of India. 

14. How do I benefit from making donations?

• The primary benefit from making donations is the sense of having made a contribution to the life of a child, who was born in less fortunate circumstances than we were. This benefit is no doubt intangible, and has to be recognized as having a "Dharmic" value.
• In Sanatana Dharma, we believe that a Dharmic act brings favorable consequence, (Punya) either in this life or the next. You may or may not believe in this - But the fact is, that any charitable act, brings with it a sense of having contributed to towards a worthy cause.
• We encourage all donors to visit the beneficiary projects and programs, so that you may deepen your own sense of how your donations are making a difference in these children's lives.
• A secondary benefit is that your donations are tax deductible, and may help you with your taxes in a modest way.

15. How can I donate?

• The easiest way to donate is to pay online through Paypal. Alternately you may also write a check to "Vidya Daanam" and give it one of the vounteers. You can also mail the check to :
• Vidya Daanam, 6823 Windrock Road, Dallas, TX 75252
• You can easily sign up for a 'Dollar a day' program or a monthly contribution of say $50 / month, via paypal.