How to Get CSR Funding for Your NGO in India (Complete 2025 Guide)

If you’re running a non-profit in India, you’ve probably heard about CSR funding — and for good reason. Under India’s Companies Act, certain companies are required to spend 2% of their average net profit on social initiatives. That’s where your NGO can come in — if you’re prepared.

In this post, Green Vision Society shows you exactly how to get CSR funding for your NGO — even if you’re just starting out. We’ll cover what CSR funding is, eligibility, documents required, and how to approach corporate donors the smart way.

📑 Table of Contents

What is CSR Funding?
CSR Eligibility for NGOs
Documents Required for CSR Grants
How to Approach Companies for CSR Support
Best Practices for Getting CSR Funds
Conclusion

💡 What is CSR Funding?

CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility. It refers to the responsibility that businesses have towards the communities they impact. In India, CSR was made mandatory in 2014 under the Companies Act, Section 135.

✅ Companies covered under CSR law:

Net worth of ₹500 crore or more, OR
Turnover of ₹1000 crore or more, OR
Net profit of ₹5 crore or more

These companies must spend at least 2% of their average net profits over the last 3 years on CSR activities, including health, education, rural development, environmental sustainability, women empowerment, and more.

🧾 CSR Eligibility for NGOs

To receive CSR funding, your NGO must fulfill some legal and credibility conditions:

✅ Your NGO must be:

Registered in India as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company
Have 12A and 80G certification from the Income Tax Department
Preferably have FCRA registration if seeking foreign company CSR
Be at least 3 years old (recommended, not compulsory)
Have experience and documentation of past social impact

Many companies also look for NGOs that are:

Transparent
Audited regularly
Active on the ground
Aligned with their own CSR focus area (education, health, etc.)

📋 Documents Required for CSR Grants

Here’s a list of essential documents that corporates usually ask for:

📄 Document	🔍 Purpose
NGO Registration Certificate	Legal validity
PAN Card of NGO	Tax compliance
12A and 80G Certificates	Tax exemptions
Annual Reports (last 3 years)	Credibility
Audited Financial Statements	Financial health
Project Proposal	Funding request
Bank Details with Cancelled Cheque	Fund transfer
FCRA Certificate (if applicable)	For international donations
CSR-1 Form (Filed on MCA portal)	Mandatory for CSR partnerships

📬 How to Approach Companies for CSR Support

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Research Target Companies

Use MCA website, CSR portals, or platforms like NGO Darpan to find companies active in your sector.

2. Align with Their CSR Goals

Read the company’s annual CSR report and align your project goals accordingly.

3. Build a Strong Project Proposal

Include clear objectives, timeline, impact, budget, and monitoring plans.

4. Email or Send Proposal to CSR Teams

Find the CSR Head’s email or connect on LinkedIn. Be polite and professional.

5. Follow Up and Set a Meeting

One email is not enough. Call or follow up with updates. Try to get a virtual or in-person pitch meeting.

🚀 Best Practices for Getting CSR Funds

✅ Maintain active social media and update your website regularly
✅ Share real stories and visuals to show ground impact
✅ Track impact with monitoring reports and photos
✅ Have a clean audit trail and trained finance team
✅ Be transparent about fund usage and timelines
✅ Always say thank you and send donor reports

📝 Conclusion

CSR funding is one of the most powerful ways for NGOs in India to grow their impact in 2025 and beyond. While the process can feel formal, remember — companies are looking for trusted partners to help them meet their CSR goals. If you are well-organized, compliant, and purpose-driven, the funding will follow.

At Green Vision Society, we’re committed to helping NGOs like yours unlock CSR partnerships and build a lasting impact.

📧 Need help writing your CSR proposal or preparing documents?
👉 Email: support@greenvisionsociety.org
🌐 Visit: www.greenvisionsociety.org

💚 Green Vision Society – Empowering India’s changemakers, one proposal at a time.