INSAAN MEANS HUMAN
We envision a more equitable world where the under-privileged are given a chance to lift themselves out of poverty, and realize their full potential.
Our mission is to engage in high-impact or catalytic philanthropy that changes the lives of many, for better, for good.
We do this by investing in innovative social enterprises in the Indian Ocean region that create opportunities for the poor through education and entrepreneurship.
Insaan works with philanthropists who want their giving to be more impactful.

We re-invest all revenues from our investments in new ventures.
HOW WE WORK
We connect those who want a better world with those in need and measure
that lives are indeed being changed, for the better, and for good.

Partner
Insaan was founded with support from the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund. We work with families, individuals, corporate and institutional donors.

Select
We work through our networks to find ventures involved in education and entrepreneurship. We get to know the organizations and people within them.

Measure
We meet the end-users or beneficiaries in the field. We engage them, listen, ask questions, and try to understand their vision of a better life – in their own words.

Grow
We disburse funds through equity or grant and continue to work closely with ventures over the life of the funding. We help ventures grow so they can better serve the poor.
WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT?
Our work derives from our values, and not the reverse.
Insaan is an intellectual and ethical engagement that represents our team’s long-standing dedication to changing the lives of the poor.

Field Experience

Diverse Perspectives

Cost-Effectiveness

People-Centered Systems
Our Team
Our Partners












Insaan Registration
Insaan Social Investments
- What
INSAAN MEANS HUMAN
We envision a more equitable world where the under-privileged are given a chance to lift themselves out of poverty, and realize their full potential.
Our mission is to engage in high-impact or catalytic philanthropy that changes the lives of many, for better, for good.
We do this by investing in innovative social enterprises in the Indian Ocean region that create opportunities for the poor through education and entrepreneurship.
Insaan works with philanthropists who want their giving to be more impactful.
We re-invest all revenues from our investments in new ventures.
- How
HOW WE WORK
We connect those who want a better world with those in need and measure
that lives are indeed being changed, for the better, and for good.Partner
Insaan was founded with support from the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund. We work with families, individuals, corporate and institutional donors.
Select
We work through our networks to find ventures involved in education and entrepreneurship. We get to know the organizations and people within them.
Measure
We meet the end-users or beneficiaries in the field. We engage them, listen, ask questions, and try to understand their vision of a better life – in their own words.
Grow
We disburse funds through equity or grant and continue to work closely with ventures over the life of the funding. We help ventures grow so they can better serve the poor.
- Why
WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT?
Our work derives from our values, and not the reverse.
Insaan is an intellectual and ethical engagement that represents our team’s long-standing dedication to changing the lives of the poor.Field Experience
We have years of experience in the field, working with the poor and living among them in cities and villages across the developing world.Diverse Perspectives
We apply our diverse personal and academic backgrounds, from economics to philosophy, human development to statistics to approach the problems of poverty with critical thinking and ingenuity.Cost-Effectiveness
From our virtual office to our commitment to attracting outstanding and committed professionals to build knowledge, we strive to be a model of cost-effectiveness.People-Centered Systems
We are open to market solutions and extra-market approaches because reality is complex for the poor. We don’t over-simplify solutions to poverty.- Who
Our Team
Our Partners
- Where
Insaan Registration
Insaan Social Investments
The ventures we fund provide innovative, sustainable and high impact solutions to the problems of the poor.
We implement a rigorous selection process, ourselves, which involves regular field work.
Education

Higher Education
Insaan – Amherst Fellowship

Primary Education
Gyan Shala

Secondary Education
Gyan Shala
Entrepreneurship

B2B Ethical Marketplace
Powered by People

Health Care
Access Afya

Handicraft/Design
Mela Artisans

Technology/Ethical Fashion
Soko
Impact Philanthropy
We build our metrics from the ground up based on the narratives of people who are changing their own lives.
- Our Investments
The ventures we fund provide innovative, sustainable and high impact solutions to the problems of the poor.
We implement a rigorous selection process, ourselves, which involves regular field work.Education
Higher Education
Insaan – Amherst FellowshipPrimary Education
Gyan ShalaSecondary Education
Gyan ShalaEntrepreneurship
B2B Ethical Marketplace
Powered by PeopleHealth Care
Access AfyaHandicraft/Design
Mela ArtisansTechnology/Ethical Fashion
SokoImpact Philanthropy
- Voices From the Field
We build our metrics from the ground up based on the narratives of people who are changing their own lives.
- Performance
IGF India
- FATF
Coming Soon
- FCRA
Coming Soon
GO TO- Annual Report
Coming Soon
Social Investments