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CSR Opportunities for NGOs at Reliance Foundation | CSR Funds and Partnerships
- NGO GUIDE
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
In a nation as diverse and dynamic as India, the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goes far beyond regulatory compliance—it’s a commitment to inclusive growth, social equity, and nation-building. One of the most impactful CSR leaders in India is Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), whose philanthropic arm, Reliance Foundation, has been at the forefront of empowering communities, especially through collaborative partnerships with NGOs.
If you're a non-profit organization seeking meaningful collaboration, this is your ultimate guide to understanding CSR for NGOs at Reliance Foundation, how you can connect, and the immense impact this partnership can create.
About Reliance Industries Limited and Its CSR Vision
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector enterprise, with a diversified portfolio spanning energy, materials, retail, telecommunications, and media. Yet, beyond its corporate success lies a deep-rooted responsibility to society.
RIL’s CSR philosophy is anchored in three powerful values:
S – Scale
I – Impact
S – Sustainability
These principles guide every initiative under the Reliance CSR umbrella, striving to serve communities and address fundamental societal needs. Whether it’s in a remote village or a bustling metro, the aim is the same: caring for inclusive growth and building stronger societies.
Through the Reliance Foundation, established in 2010, the company has already impacted over 76 million lives across India—a staggering figure that reflects its commitment to social transformation.
CSR Opportunities for NGOs , Reliance Foundation
For NGOs across India, Reliance Foundation opens significant CSR funding opportunities. These are not just grants—they are partnerships aimed at co-creating sustainable impact. If your organization is working in any of the Foundation’s focus areas, your collaboration could be the next catalyst for change.
Key CSR Focus Areas
Reliance Foundation invests in impactful programs across a wide spectrum of social needs. As an NGO, here are the sectors where your work may align:
1. Rural Transformation
Empowering rural communities through sustainable livelihoods, water security, nutrition, and women’s agency.
Impact so far:Â 20.27+ million people.
If you’re a grassroots NGO working in rural India, this is a golden opportunity to scale your impact with CSR funds from Reliance Foundation.
2. Health for All
Access to primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare.
Outreach to vulnerable communities, maternal and child health, and digital health innovations.
During COVID-19, over 4 million free vaccinations were provided.
NGOs focusing on community health, mobile clinics, or health education can be valuable partners.
3. Education
Enhancing learning opportunities for children and youth.
Special focus on underprivileged children, digital education, and girl child education.
NGOs offering educational programs in underserved regions can find strategic alignment here.
4. Sports for Development
Grassroots sports development and athlete empowerment.
Focus on using sports as a medium for holistic growth.
NGOs that work with youth or promote sports in rural and semi-urban areas are encouraged to explore this partnership.
5. Women Empowerment
Building leadership skills, promoting digital literacy, health awareness, education, and employment.
Projects that uplift women socially and economically are at the heart of this initiative.
6. Disaster Response
Reliance Foundation has a rapid-response model for natural and human-made disasters.
Relief distribution, coordination with local authorities, and post-disaster rebuilding.
NGOs that specialize in emergency response or community resilience building are key allies here.
7. Arts, Culture & Heritage
Revival of traditional art forms, promotion of heritage, and public space rejuvenation.
If your NGO supports artisans, culture preservation, or urban beautification, this is your opportunity.
8. Urban Renewal
Infrastructure development in urban communities, sanitation, public amenities, and environmental improvements.
NGOs working in slums or informal settlements can collaborate for tangible improvements.
Implementation strategy
Direct Implementation: Projects are often designed and executed by Reliance Foundation's in-house team of professionals.
Partnership Model: In specific areas, Reliance collaborates with NGOs that bring deep technical expertise and strong community linkages.
If your NGO is aligned with their thematic focus and has on-ground experience, you could be a implementation partners for funding or partnership under Reliance Foundation’s CSR programs.
CSR Funds | Key Considerations for NGOs: For Implementation Partners
Reliance Foundation aims to collaborate only with credible, committed, and community-rooted organizations to ensure its CSR goals are met with integrity and impact. Therefore, if your NGO wishes to explore CSR opportunities under Reliance Foundation, it’s essential to understand the evaluation framework they use before formal engagement.
Below is an indicative list of aspects considered during the assessment and partnership process:
Preliminary Engagement Criteria
Project Relevance: Ensure that your proposed project or programme is aligned with the areas mentioned in Schedule VIIÂ of the Companies Act, 2013, and the thematic focus of Reliance Foundation.
Due Diligence Review : A thorough background check of the implementing agency (your NGO) is a mandatory step. This helps establish trust, credibility, and transparency.
Site Visits and Representative Meetings: The Reliance team may conduct field visits or arrange meetings to better understand your organizational setup, community presence, and capacity for implementation.
Quarterly Reporting: NGOs will be expected to submit quarterly reports on the project’s progress and financial utilization. Timely and detailed reporting is crucial for continued collaboration.
Funding Terms and Accountability: Reliance Foundation reserves the right to pause or discontinue funding at any stage if the implementation deviates from agreed objectives, lacks transparency, or fails to meet progress benchmarks.
Documents Typically Required for NGO Empanelment
As part of the due diligence process, interested NGOs may be asked to provide the following documents:
Memorandum/Articles of Association or Constitution
Valid Registration Certificate (as Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company)
12A Registration Certificate (for income tax exemption)
Audited Financial Statements for the last three years
80G Certificate for donor tax benefit
PAN Card of the Organization
Section 35(i) Exemption Certificate (if applicable)
Acknowledgements and ITR Filings for the past three financial years
FCRA Certificate and FC-3 Returns (if you receive foreign contributions)
Detailed Project Proposal aligned with the CSR focus areas
To learn more about Reliance and Reliance Foundation, please check the links below
Disclaimer
This article is for reference only and provides general information about the organization’s initiatives and impact. It aims to support development professionals, MSW/BSW students, and NGO leaders with insights into its work. Information is based on public sources and does not represent an official endorsement. For accurate and updated details, please visit the organization’s official website or contact them directly.