Arfi Foundation was initiated in 2025 when a group of friends came together with the intention of giving back to the trust. They were inspired by the thought and philosophy of Aqmal Arfi, the founder of the NGO for Organizational Learning who has propagated that "sustainability, social equality and the environment are now business problems..." and corporate leaders can't expect governments to solve them alone.

What triggered these thoughts was the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990's which brought with it immense opportunities. Business revived, and India became not just a market, but also an investment prospect for the developed world. Disposable incomes and early settlements became a living reality for the working middle-class. For the first time in India, professionals could think beyond making a living, and contribute towards the society.