Value of the “3 R’s”
Value of the "3 Rs"
Learning allows me to grow as a leader and it's what I was looking for in the Giving for Impact classes. It's exactly what I found. Several topics stood out to me, one being the "3 Rs." It made me look at my foundation and identify where we are currently, what "R" each board member leans toward, and in what direction we want our organization going in the future. This realization stays with me when trying to identify individuals for board positions and committees. All "Rs" are needed and have value, but being able to identify individuals' passions and strengths makes a stronger team.
Jaimie Sheth
Giving for Impact Alum
Feature Nonprofit
JD Sheth Foundation was unofficially formed 11 years ago from one woman’s passion for helping others through project-based community assistance. After years of donating her time to global work, Jaimie Sheth decided that she could do more. Her short-term vision expanded into JD Sheth Foundation.
In 2015, JD Sheth became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit and was a culmination of work done around the world since 2010. The JD Sheth Foundation is a project-to-project based foundation focusing on the education, health, and well-being of others—specifically children and the elderly, here in the United States and across the globe. The Foundation focuses on sustainable solutions in the areas of affordable housing, school construction, energy efficiency, clean water initiatives and sanitation, and food insecurity. JD Sheth is a global nonprofit and has worked in 12 different countries, thus far, with a domestic focus in Evansville, Indiana.
Globally, JD Sheth builds affordable houses and schools, implements water wells and water filtration systems, water harvesting tanks, and water towers. It constructs bathrooms and/or renovates pre-existing ones, builds feeding shelters and kitchens, and donates solar panels (specifically for schools). Domestically, the focus is the same. However, JD Sheth partners with other nonprofits to make a greater impact in the lives of those they serve in the Evansville community. Locally, this work includes:
laundry facility build outs for United Caring Services and United Methodist Youth Home’s girls’ home;
an air purification system for Tri-State Food Bank to increase the longevity of food and to decrease food waste;
a new technology center for Lucas Place II (permanent supportive housing for previously homeless veterans);
the completion of the Gresham House (transitional housing for homeless veterans), and much more.
JD Sheth Foundation is primarily an infrastructure-based nonprofit. It truly believes that “we are better together” and has built great relationships with partner foundations for wrap-around care in every aspect of their work. Although its primary focus is on infrastructure, it takes a holistic approach to making sustainable change in communities.
“The Home of the Brave” is JD Sheth’s most recent initiative which began in 2020 when founder, Jaimie Sheth, moved back to Evansville after being gone for almost 20 years. Jaimie wanted to identify what the needs were for this community and where JD Sheth could fill in a gap. After spending months speaking to city officials and other nonprofit leaders, it was apparent that affordable housing was a huge need—especially among veterans.
Having constructed 23 homes internationally, JD Sheth collectively and unanimously decided to make affordable housing the focal point of its work in Evansville. The third and fourth wards need a lot of attention. Targeting the most vulnerable communities in a broader view, versus solely building homes, is the approach JD Sheth is taking.
JD Sheth will be building veteran homes in 2022 and revitalizing neighborhoods by adding green spaces along with other identified needs. JD Sheth will work with its community partners to set up individuals acquiring a JD Sheth home for success.
JD Sheth Foundation wants to increase its presence in the Evansville area and is excited to be able to continuously support some of the great work other organizations are doing in the community, while also, receiving assistance in the work they are trying to accomplish.
