Meet Dev Rai, the Indian-American Virginia student who founded a nonprofit at 15 to help artisans in India; two years later, it has supported over 400 craftspeople, sold 900 products and mobilised 300 volunteers

Dev Rai founded a nonprofit at 15; it has helped 400 artisans, sold 900 products and mobilised 300 volunteers (Image Credit: Serving Society)

At 15, while many teenagers are focused on school and extracurricular activities, Dev Rai established a nonprofit to help traditional artisans in India reach more customers. Two years later, his initiative, Serving Society Global Foundation, has raised more than $15,000, supported over 400 artisans, sold more than 900 handcrafted products and mobilised over 300 young volunteers. According to the organisation’s official website, its work combines support for economically disadvantaged communities with environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. Based in Virginia, the initiative connects Indian craft traditions with American buyers, while giving young volunteers opportunities to develop leadership, business and communication skills.

How a visit to India inspired the initiative

Rai, an Indian-American student at Oakton High School in Virginia, founded Serving Society Global Foundation in 2024. The idea emerged from his visits to India, where he encountered artisans producing intricate handmade goods but struggling to secure consistent access to markets and recognition for their work. In an interview with FFXnow published on August 10, 2026, Rai explained that he saw an opportunity to introduce these products to American communities. He wanted to combine his interest in entrepreneurship and storytelling with his appreciation for Indian art and his desire to create a measurable social impact.Rather than starting from scratch, Rai reached out to nonprofit and government-supported organisations in India that were already working with artisans. These partnerships helped the foundation source handcrafted products and bring them to buyers in the United States.

Connecting artisans with American buyers

Serving Society focuses on helping artisans gain exposure beyond their immediate markets. Its products are introduced to customers through temples, cultural festivals, community events, grocery stores and other partner locations. The foundation’s official website reports that it has raised more than $15,000 for over 400 marginalised artisans and sold more than 900 items through eight local partner locations. The products include culturally inspired goods and environmentally conscious items, allowing the organisation to promote traditional craftsmanship while encouraging more sustainable consumption.The initiative aims to do more than sell individual products. By creating a route to American customers, it seeks to help artisan communities generate income and bring greater visibility to skills and designs passed down through generations. The foundation also supports the promotion of underrepresented cultures. Its model brings handmade products into everyday community spaces, giving customers opportunities to discover the people and traditions behind them.

Mobilising young volunteers across states

One of the initiative’s most significant developments has been its expansion among students. What began as a small project has grown into a network with seven chapters, 18 youth leaders and more than 300 volunteers, according to the foundation and FFXnow. Many volunteers are associated with the SEWA DC Youth Group. Students have helped with product sales, events and outreach, while social media and networking have helped the organisation attract participants beyond its original local base. Young people from Maryland, New Jersey, Minnesota and other parts of Virginia have expressed interest in establishing or leading chapters.Rai told FFXnow that he was surprised by how readily other students took ownership of the mission. Volunteers have progressed from helping at events to proposing ideas and leading activities of their own. The experience has also shaped his approach to leadership. Instead of managing every task himself, he has learned to delegate responsibilities and create opportunities for others to contribute.

Balancing school with nonprofit work

Running a growing organisation while attending high school requires careful planning. Rai told FFXnow that he tries to complete many projects during the summer, when students have fewer academic commitments. During the school year, he prioritises urgent tasks, breaks larger projects into weekly goals and plans around school deadlines. Delegation has become an important part of keeping the foundation’s work manageable and sustainable.The organisation also provides volunteers with practical experience in business, communication and leadership. By helping organise events and connect products with customers, students can learn how a community-focused initiative operates while contributing to a wider social goal.

Aiming for greater independence for artisans

The foundation’s future plans extend beyond selling products on behalf of artisan groups. Rai wants to help these communities build their own digital infrastructure so they can showcase, market and sell their work directly to customers. The aim is to reduce reliance on intermediaries and give artisan organisations tools they can continue managing independently. Such systems could help them reach wider audiences while maintaining greater control over how their products are presented and sold.For Rai, the longer-term goal is also to build an organisation that continues developing young leaders, even after its founder and early volunteers move on from school. Serving Society Global Foundation illustrates how a student-led initiative can connect cultural preservation, entrepreneurship and community service. Its progress so far reflects both the demand for traditional handmade products and the willingness of young volunteers to contribute to a cause beyond their own communities.