In the evolving landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), NGOs and non-profits significantly increase their funding success by aligning their missions with the sector-specific priorities of leading corporations. This guide provides actionable insights, including examples of CSR-focused companies, their core sectors, and detailed strategies for securing funding.

Table of Content

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the ethical obligation of companies to contribute to societal goals, including environmental protection, social equity, and economic development. In India, CSR became a legal requirement under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, mandating eligible companies to allocate 2% of their net profits toward CSR activities.

Why is CSR Important for NGOs?

• Funding Opportunities: CSR funds provide critical financial support to NGOs, enabling them to scale their operations and amplify impact.
• Collaborative Impact: Partnerships with corporations can drive innovation, leverage technology, and expand the reach of social initiatives.

Credibility and Visibility: Collaborating with reputed corporations enhances the NGO's credibility, opening doors for further partnerships and funding. 

ITC Limited

• CSR Focus: Sustainable agriculture, watershed management, rural empowerment.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Rural sustainability, water conservation, eco-friendly agriculture.
  
• Approach Strategy: Emphasize long-term impact, measurable results, and alignment with ITC's 'Mission Sunhera Kal'.
  
• Application Process: Submit detailed project proposals through the ITC CSR portal, clearly outlining community impact and sustainability outcomes.

Guide to Green Building Certifications for NGOs

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)

• CSR Focus: Renewable energy, water conservation, plastic waste management.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Environmental NGOs skilled in waste management and renewable energy.
  
• Approach Strategy: Demonstrate community-driven, scalable solutions aligned with HUL's Sustainable Living Plan.
  

Application Process: Engage through the Unilever Foundation; ensure data-driven, scalable, and measurable environmental impact solutions.

Google India

• CSR Focus: Digital literacy, educational technology.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Digital literacy, remote education initiatives.
  
• Approach Strategy: Propose technology-driven, inclusive educational programs.
  
• Application Process: Apply via Google's CSR website, highlighting digital equity and measurable educational outcomes.
  

IBM India

• CSR Focus: Skill training in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Technical skill-building NGOs.
  
• Approach Strategy: Focus on employability, industry relevance, and mentoring.
  
• Application Process: Submit proposals to IBM SkillsBuild, emphasizing clear employability outcomes and tech integration.
  

Infosys Foundation

• CSR Focus: Digital literacy, scholarships, teacher training.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs enhancing digital education and rural educational infrastructure.
  
• Approach Strategy: Highlight solutions addressing digital divides and employability.
  
• Application Process: Directly apply through Infosys Foundation's official website with robust education proposals demonstrating measurable impact.
  

Mahindra & Mahindra (Nanhi Kali Initiative)

• CSR Focus: Girl child education, dropout prevention.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs targeting female education and socio-economic empowerment.
  
• Approach Strategy: Highlight community engagement, social impact, and gender equality.
  

Application Process: Submit applications via the Nanhi Kali website, detailing impact, scalability, and gender-focused outcomes.

Tata Group (Tata Trusts)

• CSR Focus: Rural livelihoods, healthcare, sanitation.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Rural development, sanitation, healthcare NGOs.
  
• Approach Strategy: Emphasize alignment with rural development and measurable healthcare outcomes.
  
• Application Process: Approach through Tata Trusts portal; clearly state impact metrics, scalability, and sustainability.
  

Starbucks India

• CSR Focus: Ethical sourcing, community engagement.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs promoting ethical farming, economic empowerment.
  
• Approach Strategy: Highlight fair-trade alignment, youth employment initiatives.
  
• Application Process: Connect via Starbucks Foundation portal, emphasizing community impact and ethical practices.
  

Johnson & Johnson

• CSR Focus: Maternal and child health, healthcare worker training.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs involved in public health, maternal care.
  
• Approach Strategy: Highlight healthcare capacity-building and tangible health outcomes.
  
• Application Process: Apply through J&J's CSR portal, detailing healthcare improvements and partnerships with local authorities.
  

Microsoft India

• CSR Focus: Mental health, workplace wellness.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs focusing on mental health advocacy and wellness programs.
  
• Approach Strategy: Emphasize initiatives supporting employee wellness, diversity, and inclusion.
  
• Application Process: Engage via Microsoft Philanthropies, clearly articulating outcomes in mental health and diversity.
  

Wipro Foundation

• CSR Focus: Healthcare infrastructure, preventive care, education.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs providing rural healthcare solutions.
  
• Approach Strategy: Showcase technology-driven, measurable healthcare outcomes.
  

Application Process: Submit detailed healthcare infrastructure proposals directly to Wipro Foundation emphasizing tech integration.

Apple India

• CSR Focus: Renewable energy, sustainable products.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: NGOs in renewable energy and e-waste management.
  
• Approach Strategy: Demonstrate clear environmental impact and sustainable practices.
  
• Application Process: Connect through Apple's Environmental Responsibility initiatives, highlighting measurable sustainability outcomes.
  

Meta (Facebook India)

• CSR Focus: Digital infrastructure, internet accessibility.
  
• Ideal NGO Partners: Digital connectivity and infrastructure NGOs.
  
• Approach Strategy: Highlight measurable outreach and partnerships.
  

Application Process: Engage via Meta's Connectivity initiatives; emphasize scalable digital outcomes.

‍Q1: What are some CSR examples in India for NGOs?
A: Major CSR examples include ITC’s Mission Sunhera Kal for rural sustainability, Google India’s digital literacy initiatives, and Johnson & Johnson’s healthcare programs.‍

Q2: How can NGOs secure CSR funding in India?
A: NGOs should align their projects with corporate CSR goals, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and apply through specific CSR portals or company foundations.‍

Q3: Which sectors receive the most CSR funding in India?
A: Education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and technology are top sectors for CSR funding for NGOs in India.

How to Write a CSR Proposal for NGOs

To secure CSR funding, NGOs must closely align their mission with corporate CSR priorities, present clear, measurable outcomes, and emphasize scalability. BuiltX serves as a strategic partner helping NGOs build sustainable, impactful infrastructure solutions tailored to align with corporate CSR objectives.

Why This Works:

• Clearly identifies sector-specific CSR opportunities.
  
• Provides NGOs actionable insights for proposal structuring.
  
• Enhances the likelihood of successful funding through precise alignment with corporate goals.

BuiltX’s role in CSR-funded infrastructure projects

At BuiltX, we don’t just construct buildings—we build for impact. Specializing in eco-friendly, purpose-driven projects, we help NGOs, schools, and healthcare organizations create sustainable spaces that serve communities for generations. Choosing BuiltX means aligning your projects with lasting social and environmental change—because great construction should do more than stand tall, it should make a difference.