Together for Local Change
Support grassroots projects that uplift lives in and around Nashik.
Who We Are
The NGO was created in 2013 by 9 persons from Nashik.
Presently more than 50 families are members. The objective of the NGO is to help the needy and return to the city from which we earn our livelihood. We are providing basic amenities like food, clothes and shelter to the needy. We have also started a medical camp for the benefit of the people living in the slums. The NGO has been working for the upliftment of the people living in the slums. We have provided them with skills training so that they can get employment. The NGO is also working for the education of the children living in the slums. We are providing them with free books and stationery.
We, at Goonj Foundation, are committed to provide our members with all the help and support they need to lead a happy and peaceful life. Our objective is to return to the city, from which we earn our livelihood, the same warmth and love that we have received from it.
What We Do
01.
— Education Support
We fund school fees, provide learning kits, and set up E-Labs to ensure no child’s education stops due to financial hardship.
02.
— Rural Empowerment
Through cloth-for-work drives and basic infrastructure aid, we enable rural communities to rebuild with dignity.
03.
— Health & Hygiene
We distribute dignity kits, vitamins, and hygiene essentials — especially to women and families in underserved areas.
04.
— Disaster Relief
From floods to pandemics, we deliver tarpaulins, food, and emergency aid where it’s needed most, fast and efficiently.
05.
— Mobility Access
We gift bicycles to schoolchildren in remote areas, helping them attend school safely and consistently every day.
06.
— Community Meetup
We organize inclusive fairs, cultural events, and awareness programs that bring joy, healing, and social connection.
What We Care For!
Cycle Recycle
Goonj collects and refurbishes old bicycles to support underprivileged students who travel 4–5 km daily to attend school. By assessing distance, attendance, dedication, and financial need, Goonj has empowered education through mobility—distributing over 700 cycles in the past five years.
E-lab
Many rural schools in India lack computer education due to limited resources. Goonj is addressing this gap by setting up computer labs in government schools. So far, over 80 computers have been installed in more than 10 schools, helping students gain essential digital skills for a brighter, tech-enabled future.
Medical Facilities
During the COVID crisis, Goonj distributed 500+ multivitamin kits to vulnerable vegetable vendors and provided an oxygen concentrator that aided 100+ patients. We organized medical camps in jails and shelters, installed water purifiers in hospitals and remand homes, and set up a dialysis machine at Swaminarayan Hospital.
Smile through Music
Goonj regularly visits old age homes, remand homes, schools, and similar institutions to spread joy. Our team organizes musical programs, distributes eatables and gifts, and shares moments of happiness with the residents—bringing smiles, warmth, and a sense of celebration to those who need it the most.
Funfair for Differently Abled students
At Goonj, we believe true charity includes sharing joy. Each year, we organize a funfair for 500–600 differently-abled students from various schools. The event includes games, food, dance, and gifts—creating a day of happiness and inclusion. It’s a heartwarming celebration of smiles, dignity, and shared joy.
Swacha Bharat
In consonance with our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Sir Vision and mission of Swacch Bharat, we also started the same in our city at Nashik. We installed more than 150 big size dustbins in an around the Nashik District so as to create an awareness amongst the citizens to throw the litter in the
dustbins and thereby making our city a Clean City.
Eye Check-Up Camp & Specks Distribution
Goonj organizes eye check-up camps at schools and institutions where access to eye care is limited. We provide free vision screenings and arrange spectacles for those in need. On average, 20–40% of participants require corrective lenses—making these camps vital for improving learning, focus, and overall quality of life.
Education
During the pandemic, Goonj supported students whose families couldn’t afford school fees, including children who lost their sole earning parent. Through generous donations, we ensured 150 students continued their education. This heartfelt initiative helped protect their future and reinforced our commitment to making education accessible for all.
School Classrooms
Goonj has contributed to strengthening educational infrastructure by constructing two classrooms in two schools in Nashik. This initiative provides better learning spaces for underprivileged students, ensuring they have a supportive environment to grow, study, and thrive—reinforcing our mission to promote quality education for every child.
Tree Plantation.
Goonj actively promotes environmental sustainability through regular tree plantation drives. By planting trees in schools, public spaces, and rural areas, we aim to create greener, healthier surroundings. These efforts not only combat climate change but also inspire communities—especially children—to care for and protect nature for future generations.
Car dustbin distribution.
To promote cleanliness and responsible waste disposal, Goonj distributed car dustbins to vehicle owners. This initiative encourages people to avoid littering public roads and maintain hygiene while traveling. By spreading awareness through action, we aim to instill cleaner habits and contribute to a more eco-conscious society.
Goonj Talk- a talk show.
Goonj Talk is an inspiring talk show series by the Goonj Foundation, featuring real-life heroes, changemakers, and thought leaders. Through meaningful conversations, the show highlights impactful journeys, social issues, and solutions—aiming to educate, inspire, and spark dialogue for a more aware and compassionate society.
Impact Stories
A Bicycle Toward Dreams – Raju’s Story
In a small village near Igatpuri, 13-year-old Raju Pawar walked 6 kilometers every day just to attend school. Rain or shine, dusty roads or slippery slopes — missing class was never an option. But the distance was wearing him down.
That changed when Goonj Foundation Nashik distributed cycles at Adarsh Madhyamik Vidyalay, Samundi. Raju was one of the recipients.
“Now I reach school on time, less tired, and with more energy to study,” he says, his smile wide as the fields he crosses each morning.
Since receiving the cycle, Raju’s attendance has become perfect, and his grades have improved. He now dreams of becoming a teacher — someone who gives back to his village, just like Goonj gave him a chance.
Dignity Restored – Meena’s Story
Meena Tai, a single mother and daily wage worker in Nashik’s outskirts, faced unimaginable hardships during the second wave of COVID-19. She lost her husband and struggled to provide food and education for her two children.
Through Goonj Foundation’s initiative, her children received full school fee support, and Meena received essential hygiene supplies and food kits. But more than material help, it was the respect and care that mattered most to her.
“They didn’t just give me things. They spoke to me like I mattered,” she recalls with teary eyes. “I’ll never forget that.”
Today, her daughter Anjali is back in school and her son is part of an E-Lab program supported by Goonj. For Meena, it’s not charity — it’s hope with dignity.