About Shatak
A foundation for longer, better lives.
Shatak Foundation is guided by a simple belief: people and communities deserve the chance to live fully and with dignity.
Why Shatak was founded
Our beginning
Shatak Foundation began with a moment of realization on a taxi ride to Bodh Gaya.
As our founder, Reeta Rastogi, traveled through the region, she witnessed the realities of poverty and illiteracy firsthand. What began as a journey became a deeply personal call to action. Rather than letting that experience remain a passing moment, she chose to turn it into a lasting commitment to service.
Today, Shatak Foundation is dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier, and more secure lives by expanding access to health, education, and economic opportunity. We work to support underserved communities by addressing practical needs while creating pathways toward greater opportunity and self-reliance.
Our work has included health camps and community initiatives, and we continue to develop programs serving underserved communities in both the United States and India.
At the heart of the Shatak Foundation is a simple belief: every individual deserves the opportunity to live with health, dignity, and hope. We are committed to turning that belief into action—one community, one program, and one life at a time.
Mission
Longer, better lives through health, education, and economic opportunity.
Vision
People and communities with the chance to live fully and with dignity.
Values
The principles that guide our work.
Partnership
We work alongside organizations with local knowledge and trust.
Stewardship
We use resources thoughtfully and with care.
Dignity
We honor the agency and humanity of every person.
Evidence
We pay attention to what is working and what can be learned.
Humility
We listen first and remain open to learning.
Leadership
Reeta Rastogi
Founder & Executive Director
Reeta brings a unique combination of scientific education and professional experience to this mission. A science graduate with a foundation in organic chemistry, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry and built an IT company in the United States. Her longstanding involvement in community service and fundraising further shaped her belief that meaningful change requires both compassion and sustained action.
Legal status
Shatak Foundation is a New Jersey 501(c)(3) charitable organization. EIN 99-2718666.