To build sustainable livelihoods, skills, education, and women empowerment through community-owned programs aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
About Us
We turn underserved potential into sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance.
We exist because underserved communities need long-horizon partners who combine direct delivery, trusted local relationships, and measurable accountability across livelihoods, learning, and inclusion.
Operating model
Community-owned programs with disciplined delivery, impact assessments and long-term local ownership.
Who We Are
A Section 8 Company designed for long-horizon, community-owned progress.
A future where geography, gender, and income do not determine access to dignity, opportunity, or self-reliance.
Our Focus
Petiole Foundation works across sustainable livelihoods, skill development, education, women empowerment, climate-resilient agriculture, digital inclusion, research and partnerships.
We bring together field teams, institutional partners, donors, volunteers, self-help groups and local stakeholders around practical interventions that communities can trust and own.
Core Values
The operating principles behind every program, partnership and donation.
Dignity First
We design with communities, not around them, centering women, youth, and marginalized voices.
Evidence Over Optics
We prioritize measurable outcomes and impact assessments over symbolic activity.
Transparent Stewardship
Grants and donations are applied solely to charitable objectives, with no profit motive.
Partnership Mindset
We collaborate with government, corporates, NGOs, and institutions for shared development goals.
Timeline
Built through steady expansion of livelihoods, skills and inclusion, not one-off campaigns.
Foundation formed
Started with community-led education support and women empowerment initiatives.
Livelihoods and skills focus
Added vocational training, self-help groups, and micro-enterprise support.
Climate-resilient agriculture
Expanded into sustainable agriculture, green livelihoods, and digital inclusion programs.
Integrated impact model
Brought livelihoods, skills, education, women empowerment, and climate into one measurable framework.
Leadership
The team responsible for strategy, delivery and trust.
Aarav Mehta
Executive DirectorLeads strategy, governance, and partnerships across the organization with a focus on measurable community outcomes.
Naina Verma
Head of ProgramsOversees field execution, delivery discipline, and program quality across livelihoods, skills, education, and women empowerment.
Advisory Board
Sector knowledge that keeps the organization rigorous and relevant.
Raghav Bansal
Advisory Board Member