A Million Livelihoods

Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF) is on a mission to build empowered communities through life-skills, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for a million disadvantaged youth across India.

A Million Livelihoods

Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF) is on a mission to build empowered communities through life-skills, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for a million disadvantaged youth across India.

Latest News

AllianceBernstein Brings Financial Literacy to Lighthouse Youth

Last week, the Hadapsar Lighthouse welcomed 17 volunteers from AllianceBernstein. Their visit was filled with learning, sharing, and meaningful interactions. Two Lighthouse youth gave them a tour of the center, showcasing the work we do and the activities conducted...

Youth Explore ChatGPT & AI Tools in Vanderlande’s Inspiring Workshop

Check out some glimpses from the event held On 25th April 2025, Vanderlande conducted an engaging and informative workshop on ChatGPT and AI tools with 35 young learners at Kasbapeth Lighthouse! The session helped the Lighthouse youth learn how to use AI tools for...

Hon. Ajit Pawar & PCMC Commissioner Visit Dapodi Lighthouse

On 25th April 2025, we had the honor of hosting Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Anantrao Pawar and PCMC Municipal Commissioner Mr. Shekhar Singh at the Dapodi Lighthouse Centre. Their visit highlighted the impact of the Kaushalyam initiative in supporting youth from...

From Ideas to Impact: A Day of Strategy, Creativity & Well-Being with GOYN Pune’s Youth

Youth Leading Change - The GOYN Pune Youth Advisory Group (YAG) met last Sunday for a session focused on growth, leadership, and mental resilience—key pillars for youth-driven change! Highlights from the day: Creative Expression: Ankit led an engaging rap session,...

Bridging Skill Gaps in Logistics: UDAAN-GOYN Conclave Drives Collaboration Between Industry, Academia, and Workforce Experts

The Logistics-Manufacturing, Retail, and Distribution (MRD) Conclave, held in Pune on March 12, 2025, under Project UDAAN-GOYN, united industry leaders, academia, and workforce experts to address the future of logistics, skill gaps, and AI’s impact. With 38 employers...

Mallepally Lighthouse Inaugurated with UBS Support

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UBS for its invaluable partnership in establishing the Mallepally Lighthouse, our 42nd center across India. It was an honor to host Mr. Kishore during the Inaugural Lighthouse tour on February 26, and we deeply appreciate the...

Stronger Women, Stronger Communities: Celebrating the Women Leading Change at Lighthouse Communities

Leading with strength, inspiring change. Today, we celebrate the incredible women of Lighthouse Communities Foundation! 60% of our team and 100% of our leaders are women, proving that strong women build stronger communities, influencing decision making. We’re proud to...

First HR Industry Conclave in Delhi Empowers Youth, Bridges Skill Gaps

On February 28, 2025, Lighthouse Delhi hosted the First HR Industry Conclave, a transformative gathering that brought together 25 employers, 10 skilling and NGO partners, 13 Lighthouse alumni, and 75 participants, including youth from Lucknow. The event focused on...

Our vision

 

Our vision

Underserved youth realising their full potential through sustained livelihoods and good citizenship.

We envision a future India where youth from low income households thrive

The youth of India are its future. Millions of young people are struggling to build better lives for themselves and their families. COVID-19 pandemic has further pushed low-income communities into extreme poverty. We are on a mission to change that by enabling sustainable and prosperous livelihoods.

Making a difference

Making a difference

 

Impact of Our Work

Lighthouses guiding youth towards full potential

Lighthouses guiding youth towards full potential

Slum communities covered

Youth enrolled in the livelihood journey

Youth completed training or placed after Foundation Course

Youth are placed/self employed

Youth opted for higher education

%

Youth who are placed, are still at work post one year

Slum communities covered

Youth enrolled in livelihood journey

Youth completed training or placed after Foundation Course

Youth are placed/self employed

Youth opted for higher education

%

Youth who are placed, are still at work post one year

Success Stories

Budding entrepreneur Sagar, experiencing life through pictures

The 24-year-old Sagar discovered his passion for photography when he received his first android phone. Sagar comes from a very challenging background, but he did not let his constraints get in the way of pursuing his dream and aimed at skilling himself in the art....

An Inspiring Transformation into a Quality Manager

Pradnya Nagtilak, Warje Quality Manager at Parle-G Pradnya, an Arts graduate, currently lives with her family in Pune. Her father was the only earning member of the family who lost his job due to an accident and is now bed-ridden. Since the only source of income had...

22 Women from Wanowrie Lighthouse Break Barriers and Drive Forward with Maruti Suzuki Driving School and ChauffHER

We're proud to share that 22 determined women from Wanowrie Lighthouse are breaking barriers and hitting the road! Through the Four Wheeler Driving course at Maruti Suzuki Driving School, they're mastering a new skill and driving their careers forward. And with our...

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities: The Incredible Story of Nilima’s Rise to Success

Nilima's journey has been one of incredible hardship and struggle. After completing grade 10, she was denied the opportunity to continue her education by her parents, leaving her with little choice but to marry at the age of 20. Her hopes of a better life were soon...

Meet the inspiring women of Lighthouse Communities Foundation: Celebrating the Power and Resilience of Women on International Women’s Day

On the occasion of International Women's Day, we celebrate and honor the invaluable contribution of women to our society. At Lighthouse, we take pride in our predominantly female workforce, which has been the case for the past seven years. Seventy percent of our...

Lighthouse Provides a Safe Haven for Digvijay to Flourish

Digvijay's journey has been tough, battling schizophrenia from 2012-2013. Despite his struggles, he pushed himself to complete his post-secondary education, passing with a first-class grade of 63% while taking medication. From 2013 to 2016, Digvijay struggled with his...

Ranu: Defying Odds and Shining Brightly Through Challenges as a Single Mother

Meet Ranu, a brave 34-year-old woman residing in the Nabin Nagar slum of Bhubaneswar. Despite encountering numerous challenges, she has shown remarkable strength in facing the world. As a single mother, she courageously embraced the responsibilities that accompanied...

Kaushalyam Initiative Changes Lives: Aditya’s Story of Hope, Learning, and Employment

Aditya, a young boy from the bustling streets of Jotibanager, Pimpri-Chinchwad, had always aspired to a life beyond his humble circumstances. His mother's meager earnings, coupled with the harsh realities of job hunting, had left him feeling adrift. Yet, Aditya's...

Rohan’s Journey: From Job Seeker to Research Associate

From searching for the right opportunity to securing a role as a Research Associate at WNS, Rohan’s perseverance and learning at Lighthouse transformed his career. Huge thanks to HSBC Technology India for supporting Yerwada Lighthouse! Till date, at Yerwada...

Video Library

Explore the Foundation Course

From self-discovery to career clarity, the Foundation Course is more than a learning program—it’s a journey of agency building, digital empowerment, and laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods.

Each day brought new opportunities for Lighthouse youth to reflect, connect, grow, and step closer to their dreams—with support from a thriving community.

At Lighthouse Communities Foundation, we’re proud to walk alongside every youth as they unlock their potential and build a path forward.

About us

Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Lighthouse Communities Foundation is a beacon of hope and opportunities for youth from low-income households to make their dream of a better life, a reality. Our flagship program, the Lighthouse fosters agency, skills, and workplace competencies in youth, makes them employable and enables them to get employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

About us

Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Lighthouse Communities Foundation is a beacon of hope and opportunities for youth from low-income households to make their dream of a better life, a reality. Our flagship program, the Lighthouse fosters agency, skills, and workplace competencies in youth, makes them employable and enables them to get employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan

Cofounder and Chairman, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Ruchi Mathur

Cofounder and Vice Chairperson, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Rajnish Kumar

Ex-Chairman SBI

Ujwal Thakar

Chairman, Educate Girls

Anita Rajan

Consultant,
Tata Strive

Pervin Varma

Trustee – CRY

Malini Thadani

Director, Access Development Services

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan

Chairman & Cofounder, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

Ruchi Mathur

Cofounder and Vice Chairperson, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

 

Malini Thadani

Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting

 

Ujwal Thakar

Chairman – Educate Girls

 

Rajnish Kumar

Ex Chairman SBI

Anita Rajan

Consultant, Tata Strive

Our Partners

We work together in a unique Public-Private partnership with government, corporates, nonprofits and citizens. This pioneering collective action model ensures that each partner plays a specific role in achieving the goals.

Government Partners

Donor Partners

Placement Partners

Ecosystem Partners

Government Partners

Donor Partners

Placement Partners

Ecosystem Partners

City-Specific Programs

As part of our other social transformation initiatives, we are implementing a large-scale program for livelihoods (Global Opportunity Youth Network, Pune), digital empowerment for low-income citizens and quality education in public schools.

Pune City Connect

 

Celebrating 5 years of communities transformation

Lighthouse Communities started its first initiative in Pune, Maharashtra in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation. We operate in Pune with a vision of “Sampoorna Pune” (Pune Fulfilled) and work with youth through the Lighthouses while also identifying further opportunities through the Aspen Institute “Global Opportunity Youth Network” partnership.

We also have a comprehensive Digital Empowerment initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister’s National Digital Literacy Mission to make one person in every family digitally empowered. We have been facilitating holistic Education through the “Shikshak Sahyogi” or Teacher Mentor program as well as the “Models of Excellence” program that aims to take Social Emotional Learning across PMC schools.

Pune City Connect

Pune City Connect

Celebrating 5 years of communities transformation

Lighthouse Communities started its first initiative in Pune, Maharashtra in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation. We operate in Pune with a vision of “Sampoorna Pune” (Pune Fulfilled) and work with youth through the Lighthouses while also identifying further opportunities through the Aspen Institute “Global Opportunity Youth Network” partnership.

We also have a comprehensive Digital Empowerment initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister’s National Digital Literacy Mission to make one person in every family digitally empowered. We have been facilitating holistic Education through the “Shikshak Sahyogi” or Teacher Mentor program as well as the “Models of Excellence” program that aims to take Social Emotional Learning across PMC schools.