Make A Difference (MAD) is changing what it means to grow up disadvantaged in India, by unlocking the power of community-led transformation and igniting hope for thousands of children in need of care and protection. Founded with a bold vision—to end poverty in our lifetime—MAD doesn’t just provide charity; it builds leaders and nurtures resilient communities equipped to challenge inequality for good.
For over 18 years, MAD has walked alongside children facing formidable odds, working across 13 states and countless cities to rewrite their stories. The heart of MAD’s model lies in its fiercely committed network of young change-makers: volunteers, organisers, and mentors who go beyond academic tutoring to deliver guidance, emotional support, and life skills that truly transform. MAD’s approach is holistic, measuring its success by the adult outcomes achieved—stable, fulfilling lives, and a break from generational poverty.
One of its breakthroughs has been the Community Organising Model, a movement driven by grassroots leadership. This model harnesses local strength, positioning community organisers at the frontlines to dismantle poverty together with families and institutions. MAD equips these leaders with rigorous training, mentorship, and powerful networks, creating ripples that extend through neighborhoods and entire regions. Every child who grows under MAD’s wing is seen not just as a beneficiary but as someone capable of inspiring change in the world around them.
Meet the team
MAD, on LinkedIn
Jithin Thadani Nedumala, Co-founder & CEO
Harshil Gupta, VP - Corporate Relations
Afsar T A, Senior Program Associate
MAD’s journey has always been grounded in radical inclusion. The organisation prides itself on diversity, empathy, and innovation, championing environments where everyone—regardless of background—is respected and heard. The goal isn’t just to meet immediate needs; it’s to challenge the systems that produce inequality and rebuild childhoods that flourish. Whether through transformative education, robust mentorship programmes, or creative capacity-building, MAD is proving that poverty isn’t destiny—it’s a barrier to be broken, collectively and sustainably.
At its heart, MAD dreams of a future where no child’s potential is limited by circumstance. Each programme, each volunteer hour, and each partnership brings India closer to a world where every child not only survives, but thrives. In a society eager for hope and justice, Make A Difference offers both—a growing movement for change, and a promise that every child can have the life they deserve.
