Objective

ZEDF shall establish a fund in the amount of $1,000,000 (one million) to support Zarathushti entrepreneurs by funding selected projects in North America. Funding shall be in the form of Debt Financing i.e. interest free loans, principal amount only to be repaid over a pre-determined period of time.

Need For Creating A Fund

Since the formation of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) in 2000, there has been a growing need for WZCC to facilitate budding entrepreneurs in our community with funding to enable their success. However, WZCC is a trade organization unable to offer tax deductibility to donors and is limited by several operating constraints. WZCC India collaborated with WZO Trust Funds in 2018 to establish a Debt Financing initiative facilitating  entrepreneurs in India. Six entrepreneurs have since received loans. WZCC has also offered Equity Financing opportunities at the WZCC TIGER’S DEN For Zoroastrian Bravehearts events, showcased in our Success Stories.

WZCC’s mission of “Building the Spirit of Entrepreneurship” necessitates the creation of a fund to make WZCC relevant to the success of entrepreneurship initiatives in the long term.

How Would It Work ?

WZCC has collaborated with the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) to form ZEDF, an independent entity with 501(c)3 status, and offer Debt Financing to entrepreneurs in North America.

ZEDF will form a Business Advisory Board (BAB) comprising of experienced entrepreneurs and business people who will evaluate funding applications and also serve as mentors. Initially, interest free
loans up to $50,000, to be repaid in a three-year period, shall be made available.

ZEDF aims to collect a significant portion of the $1,000,000 target in 2020 to initiate the funding request application, review and approval process by early 2021.

Calling All Donors

Inviting and encouraging donors to invest in our youth and support ZEDF (tax deductible in the US)!

Six ZEDF Trustees have pledged a combined total of $130,000 to launch this initiative in North America.

ZEDF is now looking for three to five major donors to contribute $100,000 each and have the opportunity to serve as a Donor Trustee and/or on the BAB. ZEDF also appeals to the community to consider donations in the range of $5,000 – $25,000 (or any amount possible) to help get to the target $1,000,000.

Donate by check to:

ZEDF and mail to

Ratan Mistry

ZEDF Treasurer,

1258 Water Lily Way, San Jose, CA 95129

For donation questions contact

Edul Daver edul@zedf.org +1 908 397 4443