Impact without aid: How the Marpu Foundation scaled across 23 indian states on passion, purpose, and people
How does an organisation manage to inspire over 80,000 volunteers, form partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, and support communities in 15 states, all while being completely funded domestically? The answer? The Marpu Foundation's fresh and open approach. In an era when many nonprofits rely on international funding to make a difference, Marpu stands out as an impressive exception. Operating in 23 Indian states, the foundation has launched numerous campaigns, empowered different communities, and sparked significant behavioural changes, all without accepting a single rupee in foreign aid. What kicked off in 2019 as a simple gesture, just a few friends cleaning up an abandoned park in Hyderabad, soon grew into a movement that spread nationwide. That park's transformation inspired these young people to take their mission beyond just their city, reaching out to lakesides, remote villages, and public schools. This led to the establishment of the MARPU Foundation; ‘MARPU’ translate...