top of page
Search

Exploring the HCLTech Grant 2025 Funding/Grant Opportunities for NGOs

Grant Opportunities for NGOs

In today’s competitive non-profit sector, securing funding is often one of the toughest challenges for NGOs. Access to financial resources can be a game changer, enabling organizations to expand their reach and implement vital programs. One promising option on the horizon is the HCLTech Grant 2025, which empowers NGOs to achieve their mission-driven goals and drive impactful change in their communities.


This blog post explores the HCLTech Grant 2025, diving into its purpose, eligibility criteria, application steps, and how NGOs can effectively position themselves to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.


Understanding the HCLTech Grant 2025 for NGO's


The HCLTech Grant 2025 focuses on boosting the capabilities of non-profit organizations. It targets various socio-economic challenges and supports initiatives geared toward sustainable development, community empowerment, and innovative technology solutions.


Launched in 2015, the HCLTech Grant is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by HCLTech, managed through the HCLFoundation. It aims to identify and support NGOs that have a proven track record of creating sustainable impact in rural India. Over the past ten editions, the grant has empowered numerous organizations, contributing to significant advancements in various sector


The latest edition brings several notable updates:

  • Expanded Thematic Categories: In addition to the existing focus areas—Health, Education, and Biodiversity—this edition introduces Water as a new category, reflecting the evolving needs of rural communities.Instagram+4Skill Mantra+4hclfoundation.org+4

  • Increased Funding: Each winning NGO in the four categories will receive a grant of ₹5 Crore for a comprehensive four-year project. Additionally, eight runner-up NGOs will each receive ₹50 Lakhs for two-year projects. This expansion brings the total committed fund to ₹24 Crores


Objectives of the HCLTech Grant


The HCLTech Grant 2025 operates under several key objectives:


  1. Encouraging Innovation: This grant supports projects that leverage technology to tackle pressing societal issues. NGOs are encouraged to propose unique solutions, like using AI-driven platforms for disaster management.


  2. Promoting Sustainability: Projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are prioritized. For instance, a project that demonstrates energy savings of up to 40% through solar energy production would be highly valued.


  3. Building Partnerships: Collaboration is vital. HCLTech encourages NGOs to partner with academic institutions or businesses. For example, a successful collaboration with a tech company can enhance a literacy program by integrating interactive learning tools.


  4. Addressing Community Needs: Grants are intended for projects that deliver measurable benefits to local communities. An initiative providing health services to underserved populations,


The thematic grant categories

The HCLTech Grant is awarded under 4 thematic categories - Water, Biodiversity, Health and Education. Below is an indicative list of sub-thematic areas that may be proposed to seek funding under HCLTech Grant.


Eligibility Criteria for NGOs


To qualify for the HCLTech Grant 2025, NGOs must meet these essential criteria:


  1. The applicant organization must be a registered entity and qualify the defined eligibility criteria. Further, the name on the application form must match with the registration certificate and other regulatory documents such as PAN, Audited Financials, 80G, 12A/10(23C), FCRA, etc.

  2. The organization must have adequate experience of working in rural areas in India.

  3. The by-laws of the organization must allow it to undertake a project in the proposed thematic category.

  4. The organization must have a good rapport with the local administration in the proposed project’s location.

  5. The organization, including its governing body members, must not have any pending litigations.

  6. The organization must not be blacklisted by any government agency/department/ministry, donor, or international agency.

  7. The organization must not have faced cancellation of its license/registration/membership, etc., from the regulatory and/or statutory body. These shall cover (but not be limited to) FCRA, EPF, PT, Income Tax, 12A/10(23C), 80G, GST, PAN, etc.

  8. The organization, including governing board members, must not have any negative media coverage or any other controversy associated with it.

  9. The organization or its board members or employees must not have any political or religious affiliations.

  10. The organization (if announced as winner or runners-up) must open a separate and new bank account for HCLTech Grant Funds.


Proposed Project

  • The proposed project must be in line with the provisions of Schedule VII of Section 135 of The Companies Act, 2013 and the CSR Rules 2014, and its amendments/clarifications.

  • The proposed project must be in rural area/s.

  • The proposed project must be designed for direct implementation by the applicant organization. Sub-granting of HCL funds is not allowed.

  • The proposed project must be designed for a grant amount of ₹ 5 Crores (to be received from HCLFoundation) for a period of 4 years. It can be co-funded by a suitable donor that the applicant organization can bring onboard for any additional amount. However, HCLFoundation must be apprised of all funders and stakeholders in advance. Additionally, the organization must report the utilization, outreach, and impact explicitly achieved through the HCLTech Grant fund.

  • The grant amount must not be used solely for infrastructure development such as construction, renovation, purchase of fixed assets like land, buildings, and vehicles, among others. Further, proposed infrastructure development costs must be spent in line with project objectives and activities defined.

  • HCLTech Grant funds can be used to scale-up an existing project or for a new project where co-funding is involved. However, HCLFoundation must be apprised of all funders and stakeholders in advance. Additionally, the organization must be able to report the utilization, outreach and impact achieved specifically through the HCLTech Grant fund.

Application Process


The application process for the HCLTech Grant 2025 is user-friendly to encourage NGOs to effectively showcase their projects. Here are the main steps:


  1. Application screening: Applications are screened based on predefined eligibility criteria using the information/documents submitted by the applicant organisation.


  2. Abstract review: Organisation profile and project abstract of eligible applicants are reviewed by a group of independent domain experts, sector experts from HCLFoundation, and Governance Partner. Basis of the review includes a mix of objective and subjective parameters such as Governance, Relevance of the Problem and Solution, Potential of Impact and Innovation, and others..


  3. Proposal review: Organisation selected at stage 2 is requested to submit a detailed organisation profile and proposal. Post submission, the application is reviewed by a group of independent domain experts, sector experts from the HCLFoundation and Governance Partner. Additional review parameters include Capacity to Deliver, Financial Modelling, Sustainability, Use of Inclusive approach, Potential for partnership and scalability, and others..


  4. Field audit: Organisations selected at stage 3 go through an audit exercise which consists of a field visit by HCLFoundation Team members and domain experts. Alongside, diligence is conducted by the Governance Partner. The two teams undertake a joint review of the application basis each other’s findings and shortlist organisations for the next stage.

  5. Sub jury review: A high-level panel of twelve (12) members reviews the shortlisted applications basis case presentations made jointly by the HCLFoundation Team Members and Governance Partner team. All the organisations reviewed at this stage are featured in the HCLTech Grant – The Fifth Estate (Compendium). The panel selects the top three applicants in each category for the next stage.

  6. Due diligence: The Governance Partner undertakes a detailed diligence exercise for all selected organisations. The exercise involves a review of relevant documents & information, background checks through various sources, visit organisation’s office and project site, discussions with the organisation’s personnel, executives, and board members, others.

  7. Jury review: A high-level panel of 6 eminent members reviews shortlisted applications basis case presentations made by the Governance Partner. One winner is selected in each of the four categories and awarded a grant of INR 5 Crores each. The two runners-up in each category are awarded a grant of INR 50 Lakhs each.


Who are the past winners


  • 2015-2016 Edition I

    • Going to School, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Be an Entrepreneur - 21st century entrepreneur skills for adolescents in 4 districts across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

  • 2016-2017  Edition II

    • Foundation for Ecological Security, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Informed Collaborative Action for Resilience of ecosystems Conservation for natural resources through common land regime in 6 Districts across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Odisha

    • Child in Need Institute, Health

      Project Title & Geography: Creating Community-based Safety-net for better Health and Nutrition Outcomes for children, adolescents and women in 3 Districts of West BengalMelJol, EducationProject Title & Geography: Aflatoun – Social and Financial Education Program educate young generation on social and financial aspects of life in 5 Districts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra & Jharkhand

  • 2017-2018 Edition III

    • Keystone Foundation, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Hill waters & wetlands for communities and wildlife – Eco restoration & applied ecology and Advocacy in Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Tamil Nadu

    • Eleutheros Christian Society, Health

      Project Title & Geography: ECS Life Connect, Integrated approach to improve healthcare access and prevent maternal and child death in 3 Districts of Nagaland

    • Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (Sightsavers India), Education

      Project Title & Geography: Inclusive Education for Children with Visual Impairment in 5 Districts across Rajasthan, Bihar & West Bengal.

  • 2018-2019  Edition IV

    • Wildlife Trust of India, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Connecting Landscapes, Empowering People and Protecting Elephants- An initiative to secure the Baghmara - Balpakram Elephant Corridor and protect the wildlife habitats of Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

    • She Hope Society for Women Entrepreneurs, Health

      Project Title & Geography: Humanitarian assistance to strengthen inclusion and safety of vulnerable persons especially women and children in conflict affected areas of 5 districts across J&K.

    • Srijan Foundation, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Educating the women farmers for better livelihood opportunities and better income generation in 2 districts of Jharkhand.

  • 2019-2020 Edition V

    • Under the Mango Tree Society

      Project Title & Geography: Keeping Indigenous Bees Buzzing and Supporting Biodiversity Conservation in Tribal Communities of 4 districts across Gujarat, Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh

    • Operation Asha, Health

    • Project Title & Geography: Eradicating TB and achieving mission of the PM/UN SDG Goal3 through a community driven, patient centric, technology supported, low cost model to improve rural conditions of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh.

    • Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children), Education

      Project Title & Geography: Promoting Quality Education through a culture of peace and safe learning environments for the most marginalised children of 2 districts across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

  • 2020-21 Edition VI

    • SAAHAS, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Sustainable Waste Management through Community-Owned Rural Resource Recovery Systems in 4 districts on Karnataka

    • India Health Action Trust (IHAT), Health

      Project Title & Geography: Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Outcomes in Tribal Areas of Madhya Pradesh, Shahdol District.

    • Child Rights and You (CRY), EducationProject Title & Geography: UDAAN-Breaking Barriers and Rebuilding the Lives of Bedia girls in 2 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

  • 2021-22 Edition VII

    • Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN), Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Restoring Eco-System by Promoting Nature Sensitive Endeavor – RESPONSE in 3 districts of West Bengal.

    • The Association of People with Disability, Health

      Project Title & Geography: “Cot to Community” - A Comprehensive rehabilitation approach for People with Spinal Cord Injury (PwSCI) in 29 districts of Karnataka.

    • Language and Learning Foundation, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Inclusion of children’s home languages to improve foundational learning outcomes of Adivasi children in 1 district of Chhattisgarh.

  • 2022-23 Edition VIII

    • PlanatEarth, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Recover and Recycle Plastic from Ocean and Protect Water Bodies from Water Hyacinth Infestation by Manufacturing Briquettes Drive to Recover Ocean Plastic (DROP) and Manufacture Briquettes from water weeds - in 4 districts of Kerala.

    • Innovators in Health (India), Health

      Project Title & Geography: Universal Tuberculosis Care through Active Case Finding and Treatment Support in Rural Bihar.

    • Meghshala Trust, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Technology-Enabled Teacher Capacity Building - A Case for the State of Sikkim.

  • 2023-24 Edition IX

    • The Corbett Foundation, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Guardians of Grasslands: Empowering communities to safeguard pastures for the long-term conservation of critically endangered bustards and associated species in Kutch, Gujarat.

    • Sangath, Health

      Project Title & Geography: EMPOWER: Building India’s Perinatal mental health workforce in 3 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

    • Makkala Jagriti, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Transformation of Anganwadi ecosystem in vulnerable areas towards sustainably providing quality early childhood care and education to children in Mysuru district of Karnataka.

  • 2024-25 Edition X

    • Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission, Environment

      Project Title & Geography: Conservation of biodiversity for life and livelihood that covers 40 villages of South and North 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal, promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting local livelihoods and empowering women.

    • Gurupriya Vision Research Foundation, Health

      Project Title & Geography: Vision on Wheels that focuses on eradicating childhood blindness due to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) across over 10,000 villages in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

    • Raised Lines Foundation, Education

      Project Title & Geography: Touch Learn and Shine that focuses on enabling education inclusion through tactile resources in over 38,400 villages across the country.


HCLTech Grant Edition XI application portal will be closed on 25th June 2025.

To know more about the grant, visit the official HCLTech Grant page. For common questions, see the HCLTech Grant FAQs. Ready to apply? Head to the application portal.

Comments

bottom of page