10 Non-Profit Organizations List in India You Should Support (Right Now!)

Non-profit organizations have often stepped in where resources and opportunities are limited to restore the balance and create change in society. India is endowed with many of these organizations whose aim is making life better for people as well as enhancing community development. Below is an exploration of non-profit organizations list in India that have significantly contributed to this country.

Understanding Non-Profit Organizations

Operated for purposes other than profit-making, Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are groups aimed at addressing different social issues besides economic effects. If there's anything these entities have in common, it would be their shared interest in social, cultural, environmental, and educational problems. Their profits are devoted to the cause with no shareholder getting extra money from them. Most charitable trusts, foundations, and societies are examples of non-profit organizations.

Types of Non-Profit Organizations

Charitable Institutions: Help improve well-being among marginalized communities.

Environmental Organizations: Promoting conservation methods and safeguarding raw materials are the main goals of organizations dealing with environmental issues.

Cultural Organizations: They preserve and promote cultural heritage and arts.

Educational Organizations: They work towards literacy, education, and skill development.

Healthcare Organizations: Offer healthcare services and health-related information to maintain proper functionality of the body.

Human Rights Organizations: Protect the rights and respect of individuals by concentrating on matters such as child labour, parity between men and women, and human rights.

NPO Law in India

India's NPOs play a significant role in addressing several problems. They are guided by statutory frameworks to ensure smooth running, answering ability, and openness.

When it comes to the regulatory framework, NPOs are run by a series of legislations that guide them in terms of registering themselves, how they should go about their business in such a manner as making money, among others, as well as preparing reports concerning their financial status of the institution still functioning.

Basic Structure of NPO Law in India

The structure of NPOs in India is as follows:

1. The Societies Registration Act, 1860: According to this law, societies can be registered if they are designed for literary, scientific, or charitable activities. You must have a management team, keep records, and submit reports each year to the Registrar of Societies.
2. The Indian Trusts Act, 1882: This act helps in the formation and functioning of private trusts, while public charitable trusts are usually taken care of by state-specific trust laws.
3. The Companies Act, 2013: Non-profit companies that constitute themselves for the promotion of commerce, arts, science, sports, education, research, social welfare, religion, charity, or protection of the environment have in common with the eighth section of this law.
4. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA): Any non-governmental organization receiving money from foreign donors is subject to the 2010 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). For these bodies to exhibit honesty as well as answerability, it is required that they go through registration processes as well as carry out operations about reporting and utilization.
5. Income Tax Act, 1961: Non-profit organizations could be able to avoid paying taxes if they manage to meet certain terms and provisions spelled out in the law like section 11, 12, 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1971. These sections are there to boost donations made for charity by both non-profit organizations and those who contribute towards such initiatives.

Registration Process

Depending on their structure (society, trust, or Section 8 company), the process and required documents may vary:

• Societies: A memorandum of association and rules and regulations document must be submitted to the Registrar of Society in the respective state.
• Trusts: A trust deed is required to be registered with the local registrar. The trust deed explains the objectives, trustee details, and operational framework.
• Section 8 Companies: Apply with the Registrar of Companies; one must include the memorandum and articles of association, make a declaration of the purpose, and provide details of promoters.

Compliance and Reporting

NPOs must follow several regulatory requirements to maintain their legal status and enjoy tax benefits:

1. Annual Filings: Societies and Section 8 companies must file annual returns and financial statements with their respective registrars.
2. FCRA Compliance: Organizations being funded overseas would submit their annual records to the Ministry of Internal Affairs showing the sources of the money, the total amount received as well as how it was spent.
3. Income Tax Filings: Non-profit organizations are mandated to file income tax returns every year to enjoy tax relief as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act.
4. Audit Requirements: To stay open and responsible, ensure you get financial statements audited regularly. All registered societies, trusts, and Section 8 companies must obtain a qualified audit report on their financial statements.

Regulations and Best Practices

To ensure ethical and efficient operation, NPOs must follow certain best practices:

1. Governance: The importance of strategic oversight and accountability lies in creating a viable governance structure involving a board of directors or trustees. What is significant here are the essential elements of regular, open decision-making mechanisms as well as the roles and responsibilities specified.
2. Financial Management: To remain financially ethical, our accurate financial statements must be retained all the time while both conducting usual financial audits and, therefore, always following legal regulations for reporting. Thus, revenue, spending, and utilization of finances must be properly documented.
3. Transparency: By posting the yearly financial statements, audit reports, and annual reports on the organization's website and other platforms, donors, beneficiaries, and regulators can trust them, which will, in turn, enhance their credibility.
4. Ethical Fundraising: By ensuring that donors are informed about the effects that their donations have on their cause, trustworthiness is upheld over time due to fundraising ethics and confidentiality.

NGO vs. NPO: Understanding the Difference

While the terms NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) and NPO (Non-Profit Organization) are often used interchangeably, but they are different.

Non-governmental organizations are a subset of NPOs that typically engage in broader social and political issues, often working on a larger scale, sometimes internationally.

Non-profit organizations include local and national charities, social welfare, social service providers, and faith-based groups.

Who Are the Top Donors to Non-Profit Organizations?

1. Foundations: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Tata Trusts.
2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Infosys, Reliance, and Tata Group
3. Government Grants: Both central and state governments
4. International Organizations: UN agencies, the World Bank, and other international bodies.
5. Independent Donors: High-net-worth people and the general public

ALSO READ: Powerful Ways Nonprofits and Activism Can Change the World Together

Top 10 Non-Profit Organizations List in India You Should Support

Non-profit organizations help in social development but also create an inclusive society. Most of these have online donation platforms for hassle-free online donations.

Here's a detailed look at ten notable NPOs in India that are making a significant impact.

Goonj

• Location: New Delhi
• Objective: Addressing the basic but ignored needs of the poor and underprivileged.
• Initiatives: 'Cloth for Work', 'Not Just a Piece of Cloth', disaster relief.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 3 million people annually.
• Founder: Anshu Gupta
• Year of Establishment: 1999
• Email: mail@goonj.org

Goonj uses urban waste material to address rural poverty and enhance the dignity of the poor. Its innovative initiatives like 'Cloth for Work' empower communities to work on local infrastructure issues, and in return, they receive materials like clothes, food, and essentials.

Smile Foundation

• Location: New Delhi
• Objective: Helping underprivileged children and youth through education and healthcare.
• Initiatives: 'Mission Education', 'Smile on Wheels', 'Swabhiman'.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 1.5 million children and families.
• Founder: Santanu Mishra
• Year of Establishment: 2002
• Email: info@smilefoundationindia.org

Smile Foundation aims to provide access to quality education to children and youth along with healthcare services. They have introduced the 'Smile on Wheels' project, which takes mobile healthcare services to remote areas, ensuring that the healthcare reaches the underserved.

Akshaya Patra Foundation

• Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Objective: Remove classroom hunger and promote education.
• Initiatives: Mid-day meal program in schools across India.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 1.8 million children eat here daily.
• Founder: Madhu Pandit Dasa
• Year of Establishment: 2000
• Email: info@akshayapatra.org

The mid-day meal initiative program that targets children in public schools is the world's largest NGO-run program. This initiative program is referred to as Akshaya Patra.

Pratham

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Objective: Improving the quality of education in India.
• Initiatives: Read India program, vocational training, early childhood education.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 5 million children annually.
• Founder: Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay
• Year of Establishment: 1994
• Email: info@pratham.org

To improve children's educational outcomes, Pratham is committed to offering scalable solutions. In rural areas, its 'Read India' initiative substantially increased literacy rates, and a trained program prepares young people to work in various areas aimed at the betterment of society.

Teach for India

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Objective: Eliminating educational inequity in India.
• Initiatives: Fellowship program placing young professionals as teachers in low-income schools.
• Number of beneficiaries: Impacting over 38,000 students.
• Founder: Shaheen Mistri
• Year of Establishment: 2009
• Email: info@teachforindia.org

Teach for India is an educational institution focused on creating leaders by providing learning opportunities for capable youths or/or graduates as teachers at schools with limited resources to educate them.

HelpAge India

• Location: New Delhi
• Objective: Working towards preventing elder abuse and promoting the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons.
• Initiatives: Mobile healthcare units, cataract surgeries, elderly helpline.
• Number of beneficiaries: Reaching over 1.2 million elderly people annually.
• Founder: Jackson Cole
• Year of Establishment: 1978
• Email: headoffice@helpageindia.org

There is help given to older people in India, which is what HelpAge has specialized in. They offer medical services and support to the elderly and advocate for their rights. In both rural as well as urban places, the business has several mobile units that give healthcare services to old folks who have no alternative means to access it.

CRY (Child Rights and You)

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Objective: Ensuring children's rights to survival, protection from child labour, development, and participation.
• Initiatives: Child protection, education, health, and participation programs.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 3 million children.
• Founder: Rippan Kapur
• Year of Establishment: 1979
• Email: cryinfo.mum@crymail.org

The CRY is striving to ensure that the interests of children are taken into consideration all the time. The organization undertakes community-based programs to deal with problems such as child labour, illiteracy among children, and poor health living conditions, thereby making areas friendlier for their young ones.

Deepalaya

• Location: New Delhi
• Objective: Enabling self-reliance and empowering marginalized communities.
• Initiatives: Education, vocational training, health, and community development.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 50,000 people annually.
• Founder: A. J. Philip and six others
• Year of Establishment: 1979
• Email: contact@deepalaya.org

Deepalaya operates major activities around individual growth, specifically among females and children, through schooling and career training. They attempt to establish self-sufficient societies by providing them with essential expertise and competence.

Aarohi

• Location: Satoli, Uttarakhand
• Objective: Integrated rural development.
• Initiatives: Healthcare, education, livelihood, and community empowerment programs.
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 15,000 people.
• Founder: Shaila Raghav and Sushil Sharma
• Year of Establishment: 1992
• Email: info@aarohi.org

Aarohi works in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, where she advocates for sustainable development in the areas of healthcare, education, and livelihood. With their integrated model, they create a resilient, self-sustaining rural community.

Milaap

• Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Objective: Facilitating crowdfunding for personal and social causes.
• Initiatives: Healthcare, education, disaster relief, and community initiatives.
• Number of beneficiaries: Impacting over 150,000 lives through crowdfunding.
• Founder: Anoj Viswanathan, Sourabh Sharma, and Mayukh Choudhury
• Year of Establishment: 2010
• Email: feedback@milaap.org

Milaap is the major crowdfunding platform in India. It enables individuals to collect funds anonymously to meet personal needs or emergency medical expenses, irrespective of what others think or expect. Milaap has provided great community backing and financial help by connecting donors with individuals who require assistance.

Best Non-Profit Organization According to Category

Now, we shall explore two of the best NPOs in India in the following categories.

Education

Agastya International Foundation

• Location: Andhra Pradesh
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 10 million children and 250,000 teachers.
• Founder: Ramji Raghavan
• Year of Establishment: 1999
• Email: info@agastya.org

Agastya International Foundation is a well-known Indian organization that revolutionizes education by bringing innovative and experiential learning to rural children and teachers. Their mobile science labs travel to remote areas, sparking curiosity and creativity among students and teachers.

KC Mahindra Education Trust

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Thousands of students annually.
• Founder: K.C. Mahindra
• Year of Establishment: 1953
• Email: kcmet@mahindra.com

KC Mahindra Education Trust is a leading charitable organization that provides financial assistance to deserving students. Their scholarships have helped many students from poor backgrounds achieve their academic goals.

Elder Homes

HelpAge India

• Location: New Delhi
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 1.2 million elderly people annually.
• Founder: Jackson Cole
• Year of Establishment: 1978
• Email: headoffice@helpageindia.org

HelpAge India helps senior citizens by providing healthcare and support services. Their mobile healthcare units bring medical services to disadvantaged elders in rural and urban areas who cannot access healthcare facilities.

Dignity Foundation

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 50,000 elderly individuals.
• Founder: Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan
• Year of Establishment: 1995
• Email: info@dignityfoundation.com

Dignity Foundation provides various services to enhance the lives of the elderly, including companionship programs, daycare centres, and helpline services.

Environment

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)

• Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Number of beneficiaries: Numerous endangered species and ecosystems.
• Founder: Vivek Menon
• Year of Establishment: 1998
• Email: info@wti.org.in

WTI focuses on wildlife conservation and preserving natural habitats through anti-poaching efforts, habitat restoration, and wildlife rescue operations.

LEPRA India

• Location: Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh
• Number of beneficiaries: Thousands of individuals annually.
• Founder: E.E. McClure
• Year of Establishment: 1989
• Email: info@leprahealthinaction.in

LEPRA India also addresses environmental conservation challenges related to health by controlling diseases and promoting health education. Their programs have a significant impact on reducing the prevalence of diseases in underserved communities.

Food Distribution

Feeding India by Zomato

• Location: Gurugram, Haryana
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 100 million meals served.
• Founder: Ankit Kawatra and Srishti Jain
• Year of Establishment: 2014
• Email: contact@feedingindia.org

Feeding India works to overcome hunger and food wastage by recovering surplus food and distributing it to those in need.

Roti Bank

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Serving over 15,000 meals daily.
• Founder: D. Sivanandhan
• Year of Establishment: 2017
• Email: info@rotibankfoundation.org

Roti Bank collects surplus food from various sources and distributes it to the underprivileged, ensuring no one goes hungry.

Sports

Magic Bus

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 400,000 children and youth.
• Founder: Matthew Spacie
• Year of Establishment: 1999
• Email: info@magicbus.org

Magic Bus uses sports as a medium to impart education and life skills to underprivileged children and youth, helping them move out of poverty.

Slum Soccer

• Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Thousands of children and youth.
• Founder: Vijay Barse
• Year of Establishment: 2001
• Email: info@slumsoccer.org

Slum Soccer uses football as a tool to reach out to underprivileged communities, providing them with training, education, and health awareness.

Financial Help

GuideStar India

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 8,000 NGOs.
• Founder: Pushpa Aman Singh
• Year of Establishment: 2009
• Email: info@guidestarindia.org

GuideStar India promotes transparency and accountability among Indian organizations by providing a platform for financial reporting and capacity building, thereby enhancing donor trust and engagement.

Jaldhaara Foundation

• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 1 million individuals.
• Founder: Rajiv Bahl
• Year of Establishment: 2014
• Email: info@jaldhaara.org

Jaldhaara Foundation works to provide clean and safe drinking water to disadvantaged communities, reducing waterborne diseases and improving overall health.

Girls' Protection

Snehalaya

• Location: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 10,000 individuals annually.
• Founder: Girish Kulkarni
• Year of Establishment: 1989
• Email: info@snehalaya.org

Snehalaya supports distressed women and children, including shelter, education, and vocational training to help them rebuild their lives.

Nanhi Kali

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Number of beneficiaries: Over 350,000 girls.
• Founder: Anand Mahindra
• Year of Establishment: 1996
• Email: info@nanhikali.org

Project Nanhi Kali focuses on providing educational support to underprivileged girls across India, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to pursue their education and break the cycle of poverty.

ALSO READ: Powerful Ways Nonprofits and Activism Can Change the World Together

Conclusion

This non-profit organizations list in India showcases the top ten NPOs making significant strides in their respective fields. As these NPOs continue to grow and impact more lives, your support becomes an integral part of their journey toward a better India.

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