Iran is home to some of the most effective and highly professional charities in the Middle East that focus on children, each of these organizations addresses children-related issues and they do it creatively and continuously in the community. They have redefined child care through specialized medical care, education, social protection, and a full spectrum of family support services. This guide explores the leading children’s charities in Iran and how they differ, their track records, methodologies, and their tangible impact in changing the lives of children in different communities throughout the country.
Why Supporting Children’s Charities in iran materrs?
In Iran, thousands of children face daily challenges that threaten their health, education, and emotional well-being. From street children in urban centers to displaced youth in border regions, many are deprived of basic rights and opportunities. These children are not just statistics—they are future doctors, artists, teachers, and leaders whose potential is being lost to poverty, neglect, and systemic inequality.
Supporting children’s charities in Iran is more than an act of kindness. It’s a strategic investment in human development. These organizations provide critical services such as free schooling, psychological support, healthcare, and safe environments for children who would otherwise be left behind.
For international donors and advocates, contributing to these charities means helping build a generation that can rise above hardship. It’s a chance to be part of a movement that transforms lives—not just temporarily, but for generations to come.
Whether you’re a philanthropist, a volunteer, or simply someone who believes every child deserves a fair chance, your support can make a tangible difference. In a world that often overlooks marginalized communities, standing with Iran’s children is a powerful statement of global solidarity.
?How We Selected Iran’s Top Children’s Charities
Choosing the best children’s charities in Iran requires more than just browsing a list—it demands a careful look at each organization’s mission, transparency, and measurable impact. In this guide, we’ve selected charities that not only serve vulnerable children but also demonstrate long-term commitment, ethical practices, and community trust.
Here are the key criteria we used to evaluate each organization:
• Transparency & Accountability:
We prioritized charities that publish financial reports, disclose their governance structures, and maintain open communication with donors and beneficiaries.
• Impact & Reach:
We looked for organizations that serve large numbers of children across different regions of Iran, especially those working with street children, refugees, and children with disabilities.
• Program Quality:
From education and healthcare to psychological support and vocational training, we assessed the depth and quality of services offered.
• Community Trust:
We considered how well-known and respected each charity is within local communities and among international donors.
• Sustainability:
We favored organizations with long-term strategies, not just short-term aid—those that empower children to break the cycle of poverty.
One standout example is Darolekram, a nonprofit that has earned recognition for its holistic approach to supporting underprivileged children. With a focus on education, mentorship, and family support, Darolekram exemplifies what it means to create lasting change.
By applying these criteria, we’ve curated a list of charities that truly make a difference—organizations you can trust to use your support wisely and effectively.
Top-Rated Charities in Iran: Full List & Overview
Darolekram Charity Foundation
Founded over two decades ago, Darolekram has established itself as Iran’s most trusted and transparent educational charity, serving as a beacon of hope for thousands of at-risk children across the nation. The organization’s name, which translates to ‘House of Generosity,’ perfectly embodies its mission of providing dignified educational support to vulnerable youth Darolekram is Iran’s leading charitable education charity dedicated to children, providing now for over 20 years educational support for children at risk of educational dropout while continuously advocating and defending child dignity. As a trans-religious, non-partisan, and trans-ethnic institution, it has set the standard for providing educational support for children through full scholarship programs allowing for engagement at every child educational level from elementary through to university levels
Currently, Darolekram is directly supporting 8,000 children through monthly scholarships and has previously helped fund over 11,000 young people reach their maximum potential since it started. Darolekram is currently active in more than twenty branch locations throughout the country. The organization’s advanced „Be Mehrabani“ system allows the foundation to track educational progress and family welfare while distributing scholarships and ensuring customized services.
What arguably makes Darolekram unique in the Iranian children’s charitable sector, is the organization’s total commitment to child dignity rest assured in order to respect the child’s dignity every institution activity and to fully eliminate the possibility of analytical down-talking even by the best-intentioned. Most importantly, and secondly, the charity explicitly prohibits any economic activities in the charter for Darolekram as they do each of these duties at the complete discretion of the public donation. All known supports must be an act of respect through dignity regardless of all common knowledge or common barriers surrounding child welfare. For families seeking educational support or individuals committed to improving children’s welfare in Iran at each point in the child’s educational trajectory, Darolekram provides documented ways for participation and respected support for the child’s vision.
MAHAK Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer
MAHAK is Iran’s top children’s cancer charity and has altered pediatric oncology care since its creation in 1991. Saideh Ghods founded MAHAK after experiencing childhood cancer first-hand. Since its opening, MAHAK has developed the most advanced pediatric cancer treatment center in the Middle East:
an 18,000 square meter specialty hospital with advanced medical technology and comprehensive support services.
The organization has made great strides reducing childhood cancer mortality rates (for first diagnosed cancer cases) from greater than 80% to less than 20% via integrated medical services, family support programs, and affordable and innovative treatment protocols. MAHAK ensures no child is denied treatment when faced with financial issues, providing complete coverage for all medically related expenses including medical care, lodging, food, and emotional support for patients and families during the entire treatment process.
MAHAK’s holistic practice includes advanced medical facilities, including some with MRI and CT scan capabilities, dedicated chemotherapy and radiotherapy centers, a comprehensive list of laboratories, and family support services that allow parents and other family members to be focused entirely on their child’s recovery. By the end of 2023, MAHAK has now supported over 45,000 children and its structures and systems are utilized as an example model for pediatric cancer care throughout developing areas for both health models and systems.
Zanjireh Omid Charity Foundation
Chain of Hope has gained reputation as Iran’s leading charity providing specialized surgery for children since 2007. This foundation only works with children under 18, providing complex surgical pathways for children focused on three specialized medical specialties: orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery and reconstructive surgery. It adheres to the highest level of quality standards possible internationally while providing surgical pathways without regard to circumstance or financial hardship.
To date, the foundation has provided access to specialized surgery for approximately 16,000 Iranian children and refugee children from all 31 provinces of Iran. The foundation also works with a France based organization: Chain of Hope established for medical teams to visit overseas to increase their specialized skills through training. Chain of Hope’s operations lay at the nexus between advanced and systemic medical services for children. Whenever possible Chain of Hope emphasizes building medical infrastructure such as specialty NICU facilities, pediatric intensive care centers and reduction of infant mortality rates in collaboration with local partners.
Chain of Hope is leading the way for medical standards and benefactor financial value by building Iran’s first and only specialized pediatric super-specialty hospital that will provide comprehensive medical care for all pediatric specialties, and act as a clinical and research training centre for medical professionals and researchers.
Dastane Mehrabaan Foundation
In Iran, Dastane Mehrabaan Foundation is the largest educational charity organization; and since 2007, it has developed comprehensive support systems that combine direct assistance to students with strategic modality-based infrastructure that involves support to the most under-privileged parts of Iran to tackle the problem of significant educational inequality. The foundation is exceptionally unique in the respect that it simultaneously engages with multiple disparate programs towards directions that continually increase educational opportunities.
Substantial infrastructure achievements include, for example, the eighteen-classroom agricultural vocational school in the Maragheh district of the East Azerbaijan Province, built at a cost of 4.5 billion rials, serving over 500 students on an annual basis, which is representative of the Foundation’s approach of creating educational environments of opportunity with equipped classrooms, large educational workshops, laboratories, and conference centres.
The Foundation strives towards addressing immediate educational needs through the annual Orange Pencil Campaign and the provision of school supplies in major metropolitan Iranian cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, among other Iranian metropolitan areas. The Foundation’s dedicated autism school project in Isfahan, and comprehensive support programs for working children reflects its engagement with multiple, varying educational challenges facing children in Iran.
Roshd Foundation
Established in 1986, Roshd Foundation has been at the forefront of educational infrastructure development in Iran, demonstrating its commitment to establishing schools in a systematic manner, and timely scholarships students from the poorest provinces in Iran. In 35 years of experience, Roshd has carried out 59 phases of school construction and supported hundreds of students’ education in its mission.
In addition to completing things like school construction and books boxes with 414,000 books donated, the foundation has provided assistance to 472 orphans and 211 students with direct educational contributions. The foundation has a systematic method of creating sustainable educational transformation across communities, instead of individual support.
Some recent projects include new school construction campaign in Sistan and Baluchestan province, flood barrier construction projects, and addressing food insecurity and delivery of food assistance to over 10,000 families. All which, spanning the nation, systematically covers gaps in educational infrastructure and provides a viable model of sustainable community development throughout Iran.
Mehregan Charity Foundation
Mehregan Charity Foundation was founded in 2009 by individuals aligned in their passion for addressing social challenges; it received official registration in 2014 as Nik Bonyadane Mehregan. Mehregan Charity Foundation has provided meaningful support to over 1,000 families through extensive integrated supports that meet immediate educational needs, while also contibuting to long-term family stability.
Mehregan Charity Foundation has longer-term programming spanning earthquake relief in Kermanshah province, the environment, dental health, and family health initiatives. Mehregan Charity Foundation provides holistic education and training programmes, employment generation, rural library projects; furthermore, there are special programs for single mothers and orphaned children.
Importantly, Mehregan is not only providing direct supports to children but rather, it is implementing long-term family and community capacity building solutions that create supports to supported families. Mehregan continues to work directly with supported families to maintain ongoing networks of support to develop social supports beyond direct, individual supports and to contribute to community resilience and advance education development in in-need locations.
Mehregiti Foundation
Mehregiti Foundation is a notable non-governmental philanthropic institution aiming to build an Iran free of discrimination and cultural poverty. Since formal establishment, Mehregiti has successfully completed over 540 school construction projects, 4,500 educational support projects, provided 350,000 books and facilitated the distribution of 3,100 computers to improve access to educational technology.
The genesis of the foundation can be traced back to 2002 when the founder Zahra Giti Nejad visited border region schools in Mirjaveh, Sistan and Baluchestan province, where she was shocked to see children studying in inadequate conditions and limited resources. This impactful experience led to initiatives that were later formalized into an NGO that is committed to ensuring that all Iranian students have the opportunity to study in standard and safe educational facilities.
Mehregiti’s multi-faceted approach tackles educational inequalities with sustained intervention projects that will guarantee students studying in some of the least advantageous regions of Iran access to quality educational facilities, modern equipment and the opportunity for comprehensive training.
Mouje Mehrabani Foundation
Since 2014, Mouje Mehrabani Foundation has served as Iran’s ambassador for school building and educational support, has been recognized as the best tender for youth-related NGOs for five consecutive years, and is a recognized A+ Grade NGO. Through its incorporated approach, Mouje Mehrabani has supplied total support for more than 15,000 children and students through the combination of school building, medical support, and educational scholarships.
The foundation works through three main sectors: school building and educational support, medical services, and educational scholarships for talented students at risk of educational dropout. Mouje Mehrabani emphasizes building sustainable education infrastructure while also supporting directly students and families in need of total support.
By collaborating with national and international NGOs working towards educational support and child welfare, Mouje Mehrabani has become a significant champion of educational justice and total child development in Iran’s most deprived communities.
Sobherouyesh Educational Institution
Sobherouyesh Institution is breaking new ground in offering support for Iran’s most vulnerable children by developing new educational strategies for working children and children who are at risk of social harm. Since its establishment in 2014, Sobherouyesh has operated Iran’s first specialized school for working children, while currently supporting approximately 1,000 children through eleven educational and skills training centers.
Sobherouyesh institution utilizes a comprehensive model of education which fuses formal education with capacity building, implementing innovative approaches, including spiral formation assemblies, dialogue tables for conflict resolution, specialized classrooms labelled as ‘kodes’, and psychological support services. Sobherouyesh implements a unique educational model, which meets both immediate survival needs and long-term educational development needs.
Among other innovations, Sobherouyesh has made social work services available, developed specialized psychology units, offered collaborative learning environments, and established community based support services which enable working children to be educated while carrying on with their economic responsibilities. Sobherouyesh’s achievements show how innovative pedagogical approaches can serve vulnerable populations’ educational needs without compromising quality.
Beheshte Imam Reza Charity Foundation
The Beheshte Imam Reza Charity Foundation has been operating since the year 2000, growing from its roots in community aid into one of the largest residential care providers for disabled children and orphans in Iran. Although the organization originally began in 2000 as the Imam Javad Charity Foundation, in 2008 it narrowed its focus to residential care for orphans and disabled children.
Currently, the Foundation provides holistic care for 150 children and adolescents in four residential care centers in Tehran, and provides care to a further 30 children in families. Additionally, the Foundation also operates some extensive ageing care plans in the form of a nursing program where it provides 24-hour care for 150 clients, with a goal of supporting full social welfare across all ages.
As a community-based organization that is non-political and non-governmental, Beheshte Imam Reza represents a pathway of support for vulnerable members of society with a commitment to running sustainable residential care models which prioritize human dignity, holistic personal development, and community reintegration.
How to Choose a Trustworthy Charity in Iran
With so many organizations out there, how can you be sure your support is going to the right place? Here are key factors to consider before donating or volunteering:
✅ 1. Transparency & Reporting
Reliable charities publish regular financial reports, impact assessments, and activity updates. This information is usually available on their websites or social media channels.
🧾 2. Legal Registration
Make sure the charity is officially registered with Iran’s Ministry of Interior or other relevant authorities. Legal registration ensures oversight and accountability.
📞 3. Clear Contact Information
A legitimate organization provides multiple ways to get in touch—phone numbers, email addresses, and physical office locations. Be cautious of charities that operate only through anonymous social media accounts.
👥 4. Real Testimonials
Look for reviews or testimonials from donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. These firsthand stories offer insight into how the organization truly operates and the impact it creates.
Ways You Can Help — Donations, Volunteering & Advocacy
Supporting children’s charities in Iran doesn’t require a fortune or a full-time commitment—just a willingness to make a difference. Whether you’re an individual donor, a social media advocate, or someone looking to volunteer remotely, there are meaningful ways to get involved.
💰 1. Make a Donation
Financial contributions are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations. Even small donations can help provide school supplies, meals, medical care, or counseling for children in need.
Charities like Darolekram offer secure online platforms for international donors, making it easy to contribute from anywhere in the world.
🙋♀️ 2. Volunteer Your Time or Skills
Many organizations welcome volunteers—both locally and remotely. If you’re a teacher, therapist, designer, or translator, your skills can be invaluable. Some charities offer virtual mentorship programs or content creation opportunities that support their outreach.
📢 3. Advocate & Raise Awareness
You don’t need money or time to make an impact—you just need a voice. Share posts, write blogs, or talk about these charities in your community. The more people know, the more support these children receive.
Tagging organizations like Darolekram on social media or linking to their donation pages can amplify their reach.
Real Stories — How These Charities Are Changing Lives
Behind every donation is a child whose life has been transformed. These stories aren’t just statistics—they’re proof that compassion works.
• Sara, a 12-year-old from Kermanshah, was struggling to stay in school after her father passed away. Thanks to Darolekram’s scholarship program, she now attends school full-time and dreams of becoming a doctor.
• Mohammad, once forced to work in the streets of Tehran, now receives counseling and attends art classes through a local nonprofit. His drawings were recently featured in a community exhibition.
• Leila, a volunteer from Canada, teaches English remotely to children in underserved areas. “I never imagined I could make such a deep connection from thousands of miles away,” she says.
These stories show that every act of kindness—no matter how small—can ripple outward and change a life.
Conclusion
Iran’s children’s charities illustrate exceptional creativity and professional approaches to understanding the complexity of the challenges facing children’s well-being around the country. From Darolekram undertaking educational empowerment strategies, to MAHAK saving children’s lives from cancer, and Sobherouyesh’s pioneering work with working children – each of these initiatives brings unique professional knowledge bases, but retains core commitments to child dignity, family empowerment, and sustainable community development.
The overall impact of these organizations signifies the reality that effective children’s charitable work cannot only respond to immediate needs, but must address and be knowledgeable of the structures that are producing the risk factors vulnerable children in any given context. By developing innovative programming, creating strategic support infrastructures, and maintaining a commitment to transparency accountability, they have created sustainable pathways for children’s welfare processes that can serve as models for humanitarian organizations globally.
For individuals or organizations looking to support children’s well-being work in Iran, these institutions are well established processes for pursuing your engagement and contribution. Their success depends on the engagement and support of their communities’ support, on their ability to adapt their programming to emerging challenges, and their diligence to ensure each child has the best possible opportunities to potentially thrive regardless of their economic or social background.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the most trusted children’s charities in Iran?
A: The most trusted charities for children in Iran are Darolekram Charity Foundation (educational support), MAHAK Society (cancer therapy), Zanjireh Omid (specialized surgeries), and Dastane Mehrabaan Foundation (educational capacity). They are all very long-established organizations that are very open about their work and have been very successful in their positive impacts on the lives of thousands of children.
Q: How do I donate to Iranian children’s charities, if I live outside of Iran?
A: The issues of donation from the outside world are somewhat complicated by the legalities of international sanction, but quite a few charities operate with both international partnerships and diaspora. Correspond with the charities directly via their websites or contact cultural centres around the world for guidance on legitimate channels to donate.
Q: Are children’s charities in Iran regulated, and also transparent?
A: Yes, legitimate children’s charities in Iran register with the Ministry of Interior and do work under a comprehensive government supervision system. Registered charities that are mentioned in this guide (eg. MAHAK, Darolekram) also develop and provide publish annual reports for the public to access, all charities must list their registration number, and charities also have regular audits by audit businesses to ensure transparency and accountability here in Iran.
Q: Which Iranian charity offers the most comprehensive educational scholarships for children?
A: Darolekram Charity Foundation. Darolekram is Iran’s most comprehensive educational charity; they are constantly providing monthly educational scholarships and currently helping 8,000 children at every educational level from elementary school through university. Additionally, Bonyade Danesh Foundation, through a wide range of mentoring programs, offers excellent educational support for talented students who come from situations of disadvantage.
Q: How do Iranian charities help working children continue their education?
A: Charities such as Sobherouyesh Educational Institution and the Association for Supporting Working Children have developed individualized programs for working children that allow them to receive education while fulfilling their economic responsibilities. These charities provide education after hours and on weekends, and supervised, skilled work opportunities during the school day, in addition to educational and psychological support services.
