FFJ began operations in 2007, attempting to provide aid to just a few hundred children trapped in orphanages in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Since then, Foundations for Joy has grown dramatically with the help of experienced and generous leaders in South Asia. In 2008, the organization provided care to roughly 4000 children at compounds throughout the island. Some of these sites housed as few as 5 children while others housed upwards of 500. In 2009, despite the bad economy, FFJ managed to provide an unprecedented amount of aid to more children than ever before, caring for close to 5000 kids. In 2010, provided sufficient funding, we hope to further expand our reach and the quality of our care.

In addition to our regular operations, FFJ also opened a new chapter in its existence in 2009, acting as part of the post-war relief effort in Sri Lanka. We helped to distribute thousands of dollars worth of aid to thousands of displaced Tamil children detained in poor conditions at large refugee camps. Accordingly, FFJ is proud to be one of the first relief organizations to help improve the livelihoods of war victims at the height of one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.

Foundations for Joy was founded in 2007 in Austin, TX by two high school students who were extremely moved by the stories of the children they met while traveling to numerous orphanages in Asia. This vision and enthusiasm of youth was immediately joined with the wisdom and experience of several highly experienced leaders in South Asia that have helped to make FFJ’s ground operations some of the most effective in the business. Today, Foundations for Joy is a widely recognized nonprofit group with IRS tax exemption under sections 501(c)(3) and continues to remain dedicated to using all donor funds to preserve and aid the world's most valuable resource; children.