Donate to the Swarna Chalasani Economic Empowerment Fund

The Swarna Chalasani Economic Empowerment Fund

On September 11th, 2001, a beloved Sakhi volunteer, Swarna Chalasani, was lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center. As a beloved Sakhi volunteer, the loss devastated our entire community.
Swarna was vested in elements that later manifested into Sakhi’s Economic Empowerment Program. She assisted with job training skills, advocated for empowerment and entrepreneurship among women, purchasing sewing machines for individuals and teaching ESL classes. Outside of Sakhi, Swarna volunteered at hospitals, sponsored children’s education through UNICEF, and petitioned and advocated for women’s’ rights internationally.
In 2002, Swarna’s family, friends, and colleagues came together to create the Swarna Chalasani Economic Empowerment Fund, which offers scholarships to survivors who are looking to reignite their educational paths. The Swarna Chalasani Economic Empowerment Fund seeks to support survivors’ educational or vocational goals. These grants are designed to further educational and professional advancement, and bolster survivors’ financial independence and security.
Thanks to the Swarna Fund, we have funded survivors who have completed their Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in fields ranging from social work and early childhood education to biomedical engineering and computer science, as well as those who have used funds to complete training in business skills, certification programs as physician’s assistants, more advanced ESL classes, and residency programs to become doctors and nurses.

OTHER DONATION OPTIONS

1) Donate by Mailing Your Check to:

Sakhi for South Asian Women
P.O. Box 1333
Church Street Station
New York, NY, 10008

2) Make a Stock or Wire Transfer Gift

A gift to Sakhi for South Asian Women using long-term appreciated stocks and mutual funds can provide you a tax advantage. For stock transfer instructions, contact our Director of Development at 

3) Make a Matching Gift

Your generosity can be doubled — even tripled — with a matching gift from your company. For more information on matching gifts, contact your HR department or our Director of Development.

4) Make a Tribute Gift

Honor a family member, friend or colleague with a tribute gift.

5) Leave a Legacy

Create a lasting legacy by designating Sakhi for South Asian Women  to receive a specific amount or a percentage of the balance of your estate in your will or revocable trust.  You can share the below sample language with your drafting attorney.

Sample Bequest Language

“I give and bequeath to Sakhi for South Asian Women, a New York City 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization (the sum of ________ dollars), (all or ____% of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) for its general purposes.

6) Retirement Plans & Life Insurance Policies

By naming Sakhi for South Asian Women as the beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy, you designate a significant gift to a cause you feel strongly about, with little financial commitment now. You may also be eligible for additional tax benefits. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor for more information.

7) In-Kind Donations

There are many ways to support Sakhi’s programs and services.  Some ways are through in-kind donations and pro-bono services.

  • We are always looking for event space to host our workshops and fundraisers.
  • We accept office supplies and computers in good working condition.
  • During our annual gala, we are in need of silent and live auction items.
  • Pro-bono services such as graphic design or writing

Unfortunately due to space limitations, we are unable to accept clothing donations.  Please contact a local domestic violence shelter for clothing donations.

Please contact us at  for more information and questions.