About Us

What We Do

The Tiny Seed is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of children by making their schools better places of learning. We aim to build up the standard of facilities and tools available in schools for quality learning and the holistic development of children. Our support to projects across Infrastructure, Health & Nutrition, and Student & Teacher Training and Development seeks to foster an environment that creates a new generation of empowered and socially responsible citizens.

We operate as a donation platform, channelling funds and resources to specific project requirements of needy and deserving schools. We list information related to these on our website. In this way, we help bridge the gap between the needs of a school as well as that of an interested donor. 

Covid-19 and its aftermath has changed things up for schools in ways that they and we are still grappling with. Lockdowns led to survival issues. Online school posed technological problems. With schools reopening soon, needs are doubly complex and solutions even more so.  While a school might have previously struggled with inadequate toilets, experts now highlight the crying need for well maintained and hygienic toilets. How best can we support children and their families in these difficult times? How do we tackle increased drop out rates, while also focusing on catching students up on basic concepts that they've missed out on over the past two years? How can we better support teachers in this crucial role they play at this most critical juncture in our history, present and future?

We welcome your support, your encouragement, and your patience as well, as we navigate through these times, trying to provide unique and necessary intervention. We also continue to welcome your contribution by way of donations to individual projects, or to our general fund, for the benefit of our schools. We look forward to you being a part of our journey.

Our Journey


Total Number of Projects Open
19
Total Number of Completed Projects
154
Number of Schools Supported
15
5138 students impacted!
View more about our projects here

Our Partners & Team





Malini Mathew Varughese
Chairman & Co-Founder
Ashika Anna Mathew
Executive Trustee & Co-Founder
Mariam Mammen Mathew
Trustee & Co-Founder

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)    

How Does The Tiny Seed work?

 

 

  • The Tiny Seed lists project requests of schools on the website for interested donors like you to choose from and contribute to.
  • All projects listed are specific to the needs and requirements of each school. Corresponding project costs have been verified by The Tiny Seed.
  • Donors can choose their projects and donate (via website/bank transfer). We encourage contributions of any amount (small or big) towards a particular project.
  • Donations made to us are routed to the school for their action.
  • Checks are conducted at our end to ensure honest and efficient implementation of the project by the school.
We also provide the option to donate to our general corpus (The Big Bag of Seeds) from which allocations are made to school projects at the discretion of The Tiny Seed according to the need of the hour.
 

 

What we do?

The Tiny Seed is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the lives of children by making their schools better places of learning. We aim to build up the standard of facilities and tools available in schools for quality learning and the holistic development of children. Our support to projects across Infrastructure, Health & Nutrition, and Student & Teacher Training and Development seeks to foster an environment that creates a new generation of empowered and socially responsible citizens. Our Mission is - 
  • To build capacity, knowledge and expertise as an organization, with specific reference to bringing about systemic educational change in the Kerala context.
  • To support disadvantaged schools, students and communities by way of building enhanced learning platforms, and better student-teacher engagement and training.
  • To provide our schools with a competing platform, by assisting, equipping and empowering teachers, and local educational and school authorities to find novel and innovative ways to meet their needs.
  • To transform schools in a sustainable manner, with an output of measurable differences such as increased student attendance and enrolment, reduced drop out rates, higher achievement scores, more balanced pass-fail rates, and an improved image of the school in society
We work directly with schools and educational administrative authorities to understand their individual and collective requirements. We ensure that our efforts neither overlap with, nor duplicate those of the Govt. and its various school related schemes and programmes. By listing these details on our website, we help bridge the gap between the needs of a school as well as that of an interested donor.

We welcome your contribution by way of donations to individual projects, or to our general fund.

 

Whom do you support?


We support schools that cater to children who do not have the opportunities to, nor can afford to attend good private schools in the state of Kerala, India. These include Government Schools primarily as well as Aided and low-cost Private schools.
 
These schools get minimal or insufficient funding from the government, and yet can take nil or minimal fees from students. There is a chronic shortage of funds, low student and staff engagement, a lack of parental support structure, and often a lack of vision or direction among school heads and administrators. This curtails them from being able to provide a quality educational environment and learning experience for students.  

The schools we support are carefully selected, with the top criteria being that the school must be run by a team of dedicated and qualified teachers. In many of these schools, the teachers contribute money from their own pockets & limited resources to meet the school’s needs.
View the list of schools we support here.

 

How do you ensure transparency?

 
We vet all project requests and costs before putting them up on the website. While donations are routed through us, the responsibility of implementation rests with the individual school; we thereafter ensure checks and visits to schools for follow up, on a periodic basis. We provide 80G receipts on donations we receive, and maintain transparent accounts, and all necessary legal filings and records.

 

Is there a minimum amount for donations?

 
Yes, Rs. 100 is the minimum amount set for online giving.

 

Are donations tax deductible?

 
Donations made to The Tiny Seed will be eligible to the benefit of deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. You can view a copy of our Govt. Order here.
The Tiny Seed also falls under the eligible category of donation under the government's corporate giving (CSR) rules. 

 

What happens if a project does not reach its funding goal?

 
The Tiny Seed allows partial funding of projects to ensure that everyone can contribute the tiniest amount to a good cause. However, on occasion, a project may not reach full funding. In this case, the donations already made will be rerouted to the Big Bag of Seeds (the General Fund). Donations from this will be allocated to other projects based on urgency of need, at the discretion of The Tiny Seed. 

 

How long does a project remain open for funding?

 
This differs from project to project, based on the size and cost. An outer limit of 4-6 months is currently the norm.

 

Can donations be made in kind?

 
We encourage online donations primarily, but you could write to us at info@thetinyseed.org, and we could discuss what you have in mind.

 

What are the Terms & Conditions of The Tiny Seed?

 
The Tiny Seed is registered under the Kerala Trust Act, reg. no. 350/IV/2013, on 10 Dec 2013. We are a non-profit organisation, which accepts and routes charitable donations to meet the specific needs of schools in Kerala. Donations made to us are non-refundable. View our Terms & Conditions, 12A RegistrationTrust Deed, 80G Order and  PAN card.
 
For any complaints or queries, our support team can be reached at : info@thetinyseed.org

 

PAN Card


Contact Us




The Tiny Seed
Building No. 5/796A, Varissery Junction,
Mariathuruthu P.O., Kottayam,
Kerala. Pin : 686027


info@thetinyseed.org


+91 98953 95000 or +91 98950 56782

Testimonials



  • "A targeted approach..money donated goes to the most urgent causes."



    Donor


  • "They have the right idea and implement it with dedication. Heartening to see them do such needy work."



    Donor


  • "The Tiny Seed does wonderful work for the public. With no personal agenda, they help schools like us in need."



    PTA President
    Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Kumarakom


  • "They make us think of the bigger picture. Our plans and dreams for our school will be a reality thanks to them."



    Headmaster
    PTM Govt. Higher Secondary School, Velloor


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Terms & Conditions / Refund Policy /

Refund Policy


1. All donations made towards project needs of schools as listed on The Tiny Seed are non-refundable upon payment having been made.
2. If a project does not reach full funding which results in the project falling through, donations already received for such projects will be reached to the general fund. This will in turn be allocated towards other open project needs of schools listed on the website. Corresponding receipts, accounts and implementation reports related to the new allocation will be duly sent to the respective donor, ensuring transparency of the process.
3. If any information is required, kindly write to The Tiny Seed at info@thetinyseed.org.


Disclaimer /

Disclaimer


1. The Tiny Seed is a charitable donation platform. It does not collect funds for its commercial use, but solely for the benefit of the schools which the organisation supports. The Trust ensures that at least 85 % of donations reach the chosen cause(s), with a maximum of 15 % being utilised for the running expenses of the organisation.
2. Donations made to The Tiny Seed are reached to the school for their action. The responsibility of implementation rests with the individual schools. However, The Tiny Seed ensures checks and balances to minimise chances of misuse or mismanagement of donations on the part of recipient schools. Transparent accounts and implementation updates are emailed to every donor upon donating to us.


Privacy Policy /

Privacy Policy


1. The Trust maintains a strict privacy policy. All contact and registration information collected is stored on a secure server and will not be misused by in any way. Donors can view & edit account information anytime.
2. Credit Card information is not stored. The CVV number is not captured. By entering details for transactions, the card of the donor will not be misused by The Trust for other online transactions.


Shipping Policy / Contact Us

Shipping Policy


The Tiny Seed is involved only in the business of accepting and channelling charitable donations for the needs of schools in Kerala.


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The Tiny Seed is registered under the Kerala Trust Act. Reg No: 350/IV/2013. © The Tiny Seed 2013. All rights reserved.
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Big Bag of Seeds

Donate to the General Fund

Donation Amount  

*
Are you a citizen of India?
Donations made to the general pool are allocated to the different urgent needs of schools, at the discretion of The Tiny Seed.
Read more

Donate to the General Fund


Donating to our General Fund allows The Tiny Seed to allocate funds to urgent projects, or projects that need just that extra final push to meet their funding goals. We will duly send you project implementation updates and progress reports corresponding to your contribution.

We facilitate the chance for you to be a regular monthly donor too. The Recurring Monthly Donation option merely acts as a reminder tool for monthly donations. We will send you a link which will remind you to make your donation by directing you to the website. In no way will money be deducted from your account without your authority.

You can cancel the recurring payment reminder option at any point by visiting My Profile -> My History.
To donate to projects of your own choice, click here.
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Sponsor a Child

Sponsor a Child’s Education For A Year

Donation Amount



*
Are you a citizen of India?

Help students stay where they belong - in school!


* This is a student scholarship to cover tuition, books, uniforms, bus and exam fees, as applicable.

To know more : Write to us at info@thetinyseed.org

Feed Our Minds

Sponsor a Meal for a school for a month

Donation Amount


*
Are you a citizen of India?

The Govt. Mid Day Meal Scheme is often the first meal of the day, for students from poor backgrounds in Govt. schools.

With your help, The Tiny Seed can provide a healthy supplement, or even a wholesome Breakfast – for an entire school, for an entire month.


To know more : Write to us at info@thetinyseed.org