About TCF

Donate

Making a Global Impact from Toronto to Kolkata

Mission Statement

The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation (TCF) is committed to enhancing the lives of marginalized communities in Kolkata and supporting women and young girls in Toronto. Our mission focuses on two key areas:

Healthcare and Quality of Life: In Kolkata, we aim to provide essential healthcare services to the poorest sections of the population, fostering healthier lives and improving overall quality of life.
Education and Vocational Training: We are dedicated to offering education and vocational training opportunities that empower individuals to thrive in an information-driven society, helping them advance to higher levels of learning and become contributing members of society.

Making a Global Impact from Toronto to Kolkata

The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation (TCF) was established in 1988 by a group of Torontonians from business, education, and academia united in their mission to alleviate poverty and need in Kolkata. Our organization features an international executive board based in Toronto, supported by members-at-large, alongside a management board in Kolkata, India.

All fundraising and organizing efforts in Toronto, as well as some activities in Kolkata, are carried out by dedicated volunteers. Our international executive operates without paid staff, with board members covering nearly all administrative costs in Canada. As a result, almost all funds raised in Canada are directed straight to charities in Kolkata.

In Toronto, funds are raised through local events such as the Annual Gala and Cultural Show. Employees from major corporations and banks also contribute to TCF through their fundraising initiatives. We participate in CanadaHelps and United Way and have collaborated on events with organizations like Results Canada and Gems of Hope.

TCF is committed to sustainable projects that empower women and children. Our vocational training programs for women have made a significant impact, and our TCF Education Centres are achieving remarkable results. Many of our graduates are now thriving as doctors, engineers, hoteliers, law enforcement officers, nurses, optometrists, and teachers.

TCF also runs effective programs for tribal children, particularly at the Bolpur TCF Education Centre, where students receive additional educational support and engage in extracurricular activities. Our students are now learning to navigate the digital world through our Computer Training and Spoken English classes.

Since 2012, TCF has partnered with Women’s Habitat (WH) to support the Girlz Space Program, which we fully fund. This program is designed for young girls aged 8 to 16, focusing on reducing isolation, boosting self-confidence, building leadership skills, and encouraging goal setting. Additionally, TCF contributes to local food banks, including GlobalMedic, Scarborough Food Security Initiative, and Remington Food Bank. In earlier years, TCF worked with organizations such as Dixon Hall, Nellie’s Shelter, Gems of Hope, and RESULTS Canada to address social and domestic challenges.

Each year, several Toronto members travel to Kolkata to engage in project development and program reviews.

The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation is a registered charity in Canada and actively participates in the annual United Way community fundraising campaign

In Toronto, TCF focuses on supporting women and young girls who have faced adverse family situations. We provide programs aimed at enhancing their leadership and motivational skills, alongside health and wellness initiatives. We believe that with encouragement and support, these women and girls can reintegrate into society as vibrant, active participants, contributing to the community’s development.

Our sister organization TCA is registered with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Government of West Bengal.

Our Team

International Board of Directors:

President: Uttam Chakrabarti
Vice President: Picklu Datta
Secretary: Papia Datta
Treasurer: Debashish Chakravorty

Directors:
Tapan Mazumder
Manjurika Das
Chitra Ghosh
Brent Niedbala

Mailing Address:
The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation
2 Leland Avenue, Toronto, On. M8Z 2X5

Email:
toronto-calcutta@outlook.com

India Board of Directors:

President: Anindya Kar
Secretary: Kashi Nath Dey
Treasurer: Saumyadeb Das

Directors:
Prathama Das
Sujit Datta
Bipad Bhanjan Roy
Gouri Das
Suchismita Ghosh
Anjana Gangopadhyay

Mailing Address:
The Toronto-Calcutta Association
2/45 Naktala Road, Kolkata 700 048, India

Co-ordinator:
Sudip Mukherjee
toronto_calcutta@yahoo.in

In 1988 a small group of people in Toronto who were inspired and fascinated by India especially Calcutta (now known as Kolkata), decided to help the disadvantaged of India and the sub-continent. We knew that, despite the progress of modern India, there were millions of people who needed basic education and skill training, and medical assistance of every type. We organized to the best of our abilities, and raised funds (never enough), and opened the first medical clinic in Naktala. Then we started to subsidize existing schools that needed assistance. As the HIV/AIDS started spread all over India, we started to work extensively in Red Light District by distributing condoms and educating sex workers about safe sex and other sexually transmitted disease. It made a difference in the community as some of the sex workers started to volunteer for TCF. Since then we expanded our work to include vocational training, eye camps, helping local schools and more medical clinics in remote villages. We hope to open more medical clinics, eye camps, vocational training centre and schools. With your help we will continue to fulfill our mission.

Ted Culp

During my tenure as second president of the Toronto-Calcutta Foundation, as the TCA was known at the time, I witnessed the early struggles of the organization in its attempts to alleviate the woes of the most impoverished inhabitants of Kolkata and its surrounding areas. Our efforts at the time were largely focused on the establishment and staffing of the Dr. R.N. Bhaduri Memorial Health Centre and a few surrounding day clinics. Our accomplishments included the acquisition of an ambulance and an AIDS awareness program in the red light district. How things have evolved over the past quarter century! Apart from diligently pursuing its health mandate, TCF has since branched out into education, skills training and women's empowerment. I am proud to have had the privilege of leading this organization in its early days and wish it a long and continued success. Congratulations to all who have participated over the last 30 years!

Paul Werbiski

30 years ago, when we started this organization we hoped it would be the beginning of something lasting. Our hopes have not been in vain. Thank you, everyone, who has worked so hard to keep the vision alive. Cheers!

Thomas Allgower

The Toronto-Calcutta Foundation has reached another heart-warming milestone with our thirtieth anniversary. I am so pleased to be able to look back over the years, to think of the ways in which we explored how to bring basic services to fringe communities in West Bengal: Communities overlooked and neglected, crying out for a helping hand. Since our last anniversary celebration, the twenty fifth, TCF/TCA has advanced in creating and strengthening partnerships with dedicated local NGOs. This has greatly enhanced our ability to understand the needs of the disadvantaged in West Bengal. It has enriched our lives and motivated us to keep on with fund raising and communication. Congratulations to all of you in Toronto and Kolkata. With good wishes,

Dr Christine Furedy, Sydney, Australia

Former board member TCF

Power to create opportunities

Nori grape silver beet broccoli kombu beet greens parsley bean potato quandong celery. Bunya nuts black-eyed pea prairie jícama turnip leek lentil turnip greens parsnip salsify sea.

Johnny Thomas

California, USA