Stichting Benares Schoolfonds

Founded in 2003, Stichting Benares Schoolfonds is a foundation based in Wouw, Netherlands working on education, children & youth, gender equality.

The Benares Schoolfund Foundation (Stichting Benares Schoolfonds), based in Wouw, the Netherlands, provides education for underprivileged children in Varanasi and Jaipur, India. Founded on 9 April 2003 with the statutory aim of promoting education and welfare for disadvantaged children in India, it takes its name from the Benares Schoolfonds of Frans Baartmans, which it took over. The foundation focuses on girls' schooling, on the view that educated women can drive social change faster. It supports four schools, including Little Stars, Asha Deep, Jeevan and Vatsalya, by paying teachers' salaries, equipping classrooms, and providing computers and school materials. It also sponsors individual students, who are selected on family income, family size, gender preference and motivation to complete school up to class 12. Funding comes from long-term donors, sponsors and one-off gifts. The foundation works with NGO Muheem on informal education projects for villages without schools, for people with disabilities, and for young women and youth. It holds ANBI status, so donations can be tax-deductible.