- WHAT WE DO
Empowering Social Entrepreneurs
We empower young Tibetans to make positive change in their communities. We achieve this by funding their social impact projects and supporting organizational development, encouraging young Tibetans to become social entrepreneurs. Since 2017, we have nurtured dozens of grassroots organizations in India and Nepal led by committed social entrepreneurs addressing local community and culture preservation challenges. Below are profiles of some of our current partners, some of whom became our partners this year.
Manjushri
Educational Services
Manjushri works to improve early childhood care and education (ECCE) for infants and preschool children up to age five and to develop Tibetan children’s reading skills in grades K-5. In 2024, it provided year-round access to its Children’s Reading and Play Center in McLeod Ganj, serving 2,380 children (1,401F/979M) as of November. It organized a Winter Reading Program in January with read-aloud sessions, storytelling, and hands-on activities like doll making and stitching for grades 4-5. Monthly programs included book bingo, painting, clay crafting, guided drawing, and reading hikes. It also partnered with TCV Day School, McLeod Ganj, to conduct weekly library and visual arts sessions.
Shatsa
Founded by a group of young Tibetans in Ladakh, Shatsa works to promote mother-tongue literacy among Tibetan children. Its community library in Leh draws about 20 children daily and offers activities such as storytelling, drawing, book bingo, and treasure hunts. In 2024, it launched a mobile library to nearby communities and organized a reading intervention program in three remote nomadic areas—Sumdho, Hanley, and Nyoma—reaching 124 children with limited access to books. In June, it hosted a three-day parent workshop in Sonamling Tibetan Settlement, led by Dr. Kalsang Wangdu, on encouraging a love for reading at home.
TibetWrites
TibetWrites promotes Tibetan writers and publishes their work, including original and translated fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In 2024, it released two new titles: Young Days in Tibet, a memoir of free Tibet by Tsewang Yeshi Pemba, and Forty-Nine Days, a poetry collection exploring life, death, and longing. It also organized a Tibetan Reading Retreat in Bir, bringing together 15 participants for in-depth discussions on Tibetan literature, and hosted its first Writing Residency in Dharamsala from November 23–28, mentoring six emerging writers from Kathmandu, Ladakh, Bangalore, and Dharamsala. TibetWrites publications supported by The Tibet Fund can be viewed here.
Drokmo
Drokmo works to advance gender justice in Tibetan settlements and schools. In 2024, it conducted a week-long sexual and reproductive health education program at Sambhota Tibetan Schools in Kalimpong and Darjeeling, reaching 270 students in Grade 6 and above with sessions on puberty, menstrual health, consent, body autonomy, and healthy relationships. In November, it implemented a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Redressal program in Ladakh, training 100 parents and 110 students on body safety, online risks, and identifying trusted adults. In December, Drokmo hosted a youth workshop in Bangalore for 20 young professionals from Men-Tsee-Khang, fostering discussions on gender roles, sexuality, and consent.
Reimagining Doeguling
Tibetan Settlement
Reimagining Doeguling is a grassroots organization that focuses on water conservation and community development in Doeguling settlement. In 2024, it installed 10 borewell recharge pits and 10 farm ponds in partnership with CTA, TTF, and local farmers. It also organized its third annual health fair, bringing together around 1,000 participants for a marathon, basketball matches, traditional Tibetan circle dances, free health check-ups, and wellness talks. In September, Dr. Dhondup Tashi led health talks on preventing lifestyle diseases.
Tibetan Legal Association
Tibetan Legal Association promotes legal literacy and offers legal representation and counseling to Tibetans in India, including pro-bono legal aid for vulnerable Tibetans and free weekly legal services for women and children in Dharamsala. It also raises legal awareness and gives legal advice to Tibetan organizations. In 2024, it provided legal representation and counseling to 271 Tibetan individuals, families, and organizations, assisting them with criminal and civil cases and preparing documents including affidavits and legal notices.
Lha Charitable Trust
Lha Charitable Trust works to uplift Tibetans through livelihood development training, with a focus on unemployed youth and former monks and nuns without diplomas. In 2024, 109 trainees received support to learn baking, barista skills, nail art, yoga, wood carving, and electrician training. They also attended sessions on personality development, financial literacy, business management, and legal compliance. By the end of the year, 41 trainees were employed.
Drung
The Tibet Fund made a matching grant to Drung Tibetan Filmmakers Collective to produce State of Statelessness, an anthology of four short films exploring statelessness and migration in the Tibetan exile community. Released in 2024, the film fosters collaboration among Tibetan filmmakers and artists in the diaspora and premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in October.
Tibetan Cancer Society
Tibetan Cancer Society raises cancer awareness, conducts cancer screening, and provides advocacy and care services for disadvantaged cancer patients. In 2024, it organized H-pylori screenings and awareness camps in eight settlements across Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, testing 1,314 people and providing subsidized or free treatment to 95 positive cases. It also assisted 100 patients with hospital appointments, specialist consultations, and accommodation at its compassion home in Delhi.
Altruism in Action
Altruism in Action raises awareness about Hepatitis B and provides screening, treatment, and vaccinations to prevent the spread of this life-threatening disease, which affects more than 7% of the Tibetan refugee population. In 2024, it provided specialist consultations, follow-up lab tests, and medication to 59 patients in Delhi, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Varanasi. Twenty students were vaccinated, and follow-up tests were conducted in April, June, September, October, and November.
Tibetan Heart Foundation
Tibetan Heart Foundation promotes cardiac health and cardiovascular disease awareness. In 2024, it held free medical camps in five settlements—Bylakuppe, Kollegal, Mundgod, Hunsur, and Mainpat—benefiting 689 Tibetans through specialist consultations and screenings. Of these, 273 individuals received cardiac screenings. It also assisted 164 disadvantaged Tibetans with hospital appointments, specialist consultations, and hospital visits across India. This year, it inaugurated its Compassion Home in Hubli, providing free accommodation to 40 patients and caregivers during hospital visits.
Shenphen Charitable Trust
Shenphen Charitable Trust supports Tibetans in South India by easing access to specialized healthcare. Since 2021, its Compassion Home in Mysore has provided subsidized lodging and meals, benefiting 240 patients and caregivers in 2024. It also helps Tibetans navigate hospital care, ensuring timely treatment and follow-ups. This year, 610 patients received support with appointments, doctor communications, and medical
Hope & Challenge and Drokpo
Hope & Challenge collaborates with Drokpo to help vulnerable Tibetans in Nepal start their own businesses. In 2024, thirteen microentrepreneurs received seed grants, training, and mentoring to open restaurants, retail shops, a dranyen-making business, a laphing stall, an agricultural farm, and a Dharma center. Basic business training included sessions on financial literacy, communication, and networking. The two NGOs have been collaborating on this project with our support since 2016.
Khadhok
Khadhok promotes contemporary Tibetan visual artists, with a focus on emerging talents. In 2024, it conducted art workshops in five Tibetan schools across Himachal Pradesh, introducing 180 students to diverse art forms and personal expression. Fifty selected artworks exploring themes of exile, cultural identity, and aspirations for Tibet were exhibited at the Kangra Art Museum in September. In November, its second annual exhibition showcased works by 15 Tibetan artists, featuring established names like Karma Sichoe and Lobsang Gyatso alongside emerging talents. The event included children’s workshops, art therapy sessions, and live art jams with Tibetan musicians.
Tibet Theatre
Tibet Theatre, founded in 2011 in Dharamsala, is a community group using satire, drama, and comedy to explore social issues, gender rights, political oppression, and cultural preservation. From May to July 2024, it performed in six Tibetan schools across Dharamsala, Gopalpur, Suja, Chauntra, and Ladakh, with plays tackling social media’s influence, vocational prospects, and colonial schooling in Tibet. A public screening was also held in Ladakh. To promote Tibetan language and culture, Tibet Theatre released two storytelling videos and one nursery rhyme, sharing them on social media to engage Tibetan children globally.
Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution
Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution promotes non-violence, compassion, and democratic principles in the Tibetan community by fostering inclusivity and conflict resolution skills. In 2024, it convened 24 representatives from 18 organizations in Dharamsala for a roundtable discussion on strengthening Tibetan civil society, encouraging open dialogue and collaboration. It also hosted a workshop for 32 Tibetan parents, focusing on mindful communication, non-violent discipline, and conflict resolution. Additionally, a two-day workshop for 23 students, including monks, helped cultivate empathy and equip them with practical tools for constructive conflict resolution.
Tenzin Talkies
Tenzin Talkies trains young Tibetan filmmakers in storytelling, screenplay writing, cinematography, production, and editing. In March 2024, it conducted a month-long filmmaking workshop for 20 students selected from 377 applicants. Divided into two groups, they created and screened their short films, The Last Nomad and That Morning, to an audience of 600 at TCV Ladakh.
Sangay Cultural Services
Sangay Cultural Services aims to connect young Tibetans with their culture, language, and history through access to Tibetan-language audiobooks. In 2024, it produced 40 audiobook episodes covering topics such as Tibetan palaces and forts, military history, legal evolution, and Tibetan scripts. The episodes were uploaded on YouTube.
Stories of Tibetans
Stories of Tibetans documents the oral histories of everyday Tibetans. In 2024, The Tibet Fund supported its Social Shift Stories program, a podcast series featuring interviews with community leaders, activists, and grassroots workers on education, health, child and women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and parenting. Edited into 20-30 minute videos, these stories were shared across YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Tibet Charity
Tibet Charity India, founded in 2005, supports the most marginalized Tibetans with Free medical services and language classes, as well as a veterinary clinic. The Tibet Charity nurses make house calls, offer medical care to elderly patients and hermits, and provide emergency hospital services in the Dharamsala area.
Help with Books Trust
Help with Books Trust, founded in 2008, encourages a love for reading by building community libraries in Tibetan settlements. It currently operates three libraries in Mundgod, Bylakuppe and near Norbulingka in Dharamshala. The Tibet Fund supports these efforts by helping procure children’s books, organizing weekly reading activities, and providing essential equipment to enrich the library experience.
Mutik Books
Mutik Books focuses on publishing Tibetan children’s literature and Tibetan language learning materials. To date, it has released 68 titles, including both English translations and original stories for children. Mutik’s publications are widely enjoyed in Tibetan schools and monasteries across India, as well as weekend schools in North America and Europe.
TSAMPA
Established in 2024, Tibetan Singers And Musicians Performing Association (TSAMPA) aims to unite and empower Tibetan performing artists worldwide. Its mission is to cultivate a collaborative community that nurtures artistic growth and enhances the global visibility of Tibetan performing arts. TSAMPA is also committed to ensuring that Tibetan performing arts continue to thrive and are passed on to future generations.
TibetStartup!
TibetStartup! is a newly established organization dedicated to empowering Tibetan entrepreneurs and microenterprises while strengthening a robust Tibetan start-up ecosystem. It aims to promote economic self-reliance within the Tibetan community, recognizing that a thriving entrepreneurial landscape is vital for the long-term sustainability of the Tibetan movement.