The fourth technical session revolved around the theme “Fundraising for NGOs.” It was moderated by Ms. Ayisha Shaikh, Assistant Professor at the School of Management and Business Studies (SMBS), Jamia Hamdard, and chaired by Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Honourable Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard. The session featured distinguished speakers including Mr. Robin Thomas, Associate General Manager at HCL Foundation, and Mr. Sajid M., Director of Vision 2026.
The discussion opened with an overview of the importance of sustainable fundraising mechanisms for NGOs to ensure long-term impact. Prof. Afshar Alam highlighted the statutory compliances necessary for accessing grants, such as 12A and 80G certification under the Income Tax Act, registration on the NGO Darpan portal of NITI Aayog, and registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for corporate funding. He further elaborated on the wide range of government schemes available for NGOs, emphasizing the role of transparency and regular auditing in building donor confidence. Prof. Alam also underscored the significance of leveraging CSR funds, central and state government programs, and fostering robust NGO–government partnerships for impactful interventions.
Mr. Robin Thomas spoke about the transformative potential of NGO–corporate collaborations. Citing HCL Founder Mr. Shiv Nadar’s words, “Commitment and Purpose are the core of Giving,” he stressed the importance of aligning NGO projects with measurable social outcomes to attract corporate and philanthropic support. He provided insights into current CSR trends, corporate perspectives on funding priorities, and NGO strategies for proposal writing. Mr. Thomas explained that CSR agencies typically allocate around 40% weightage to an NGO’s organizational strength and 60% to the quality of its proposal. An effective proposal, he noted, must present a strong problem statement and clearly answer the “Five Ws and One H” of the intervention. He also highlighted the importance of inclusivity, rigorous screening, and evaluation processes in CSR partnerships.
Mr. Sajid M. addressed the challenges of fundraising, stressing the crucial role of branding in enhancing visibility and credibility. He emphasized that effective NGO branding directly influences the ability to secure funds. Mr. Sajid also discussed crowdfunding as a strategy, underscoring the power of storytelling and creating emotional connections with causes. He concluded by highlighting the role of public relations and social media campaigns in building trust and visibility, stating that “Building Trust is equal to Building Funds.”