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

Once Searching for Direction, Now Guiding Others—Meet Sahil

At just 23, Sahil Sable from Ambivli carried more responsibility than most his age. Living with his parents and siblings, he knew he had to step up—not just to support his family, but to shape his own future. After graduating in Computer Sciences, Sahil began...

Successful Entrepreneurship Journey of Arshada

Arshada, 27, was born in a conservative family where were not allowed to step out of the house without a male family member. Her father worked in Mumbai and hardly earned enough for the family of eight. Arshada always wanted to be an independent person. She was a...

Akshay on his way to expand his Entrepreneurship Journey

Akshay resides in Pimple Gurav, Pune, along with his parents and a sibling. In spite of his family's limited financial resources, he was always encouraged to follow his dreams of becoming a photographer and filmmaker. Soon he ventured into an entrepreneurship journey...

Neelam's life had always been a struggle. Living in a cramped house with her parents and siblings, she often wondered how they would make ends meet. Her father's meager income as a private bus driver barely managed to keep the family afloat. Neelam, the eldest among...

Kalyani Behera’s Quest for a Brighter Future

Kalyani Behera, a resilient 23-year-old from Ramachandra Pur Bazar, Jatni, faced countless challenges growing up in poverty. Despite her family's financial struggles, her desire for education never faded, and she held onto her dream of education. Becoming the first in...

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...

Lighthouse Staff’s Inspiring Encounter with Lighthouse Youth at Work

"Today, after office, I visited Pete's Deli, Hauz Khas in Delhi. To my surprise, I met one of our students named Shweta Singh from Office Executive batch number 9. When she recognised me, she proudly approached and spoke to me. I also got to talk to the cafe owner,...

A Home-maker to a Successful Entrepreneur

Swati Balkawade, Warje Owner at Swati’s parlour Swati, a young woman filled with joy, always aspired to be self-reliant. She could not continue her education after the 10th grade but that never stopped her from believing in her dreams. She is married in a well to do...

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...

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

Pradeep Bhargava

Former Director, Cummins India Ltd

Anita Rajan

Consultant,
Tata Strive

Pervin Varma

Trustee – CRY

Malini Thadani

Director, Access Development Services

Ujwal Thakar

Chairman, Educate Girls

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan

Chairman & Cofounder, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

Ruchi Mathur

Cofounder and Vice Chairperson, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

Pradeep Bhargava

Former Director, Cummins India Ltd

 

 

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.