CSR foundations manage projects three times larger than others; universities, hospitals, and research institutions emerge as key partners.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) landscape is witnessing a structural transformation, with corporate foundations emerging as the new powerhouse of impact delivery, according to Sattva Consulting’s latest report — “CSR’s Next Act: How the Coming Decade Will Redefine Corporate Impact.”
The report reveals that over 60% of large CSR-budget companies (those spending more than Rs. 10 crore annually) now operate their own corporate foundations, giving them greater control, governance oversight, and the ability to pursue multi-year, high-value flagship programmes.
Corporate Foundations Triple Project Scale
Projects executed through corporate foundations are nearly three times larger than those handled by external partners, underlining a decisive shift towards in-house institutionalisation of social responsibility.
“Corporate foundations are no longer optional; they have become the default mechanism for large CSR players,” the report said, adding that the average project ticket size via foundations stands at Rs. 1.83 crore, compared to Rs. 0.91 crore through other implementing agencies.
Shift Towards Universities and Hospitals
The study highlights that universities, hospitals, and research institutions now account for nearly one-fifth (19%) of total CSR implementation funding. Education and healthcare institutions have emerged as the preferred partners for high-budget companies seeking scalable, specialised, and research-oriented impact models.
In FY 2023–24, education and research institutions together captured 50% of all funds routed through non-NGO partners, with IITs and national universities among the largest recipients.
Non-NGO Ecosystem Expands
Sattva’s analysis, based on data from 4,149 CSR-reporting companies representing ₹30,000 crore in total CSR outlay, shows a decisive diversification of implementation channels.
Non-NGO partners such as universities, hospitals, incubators, sports bodies, and religious institutions accounted for nearly 20% of all CSR funding, signaling the end of NGO monopoly over corporate giving.
Why the Shift?
According to Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, Co-founder and CEO of Sattva Consulting, this trend reflects a maturing CSR ecosystem.
A Multi-Actor CSR Future
The report notes that India’s CSR is entering a multi-actor phase, where corporates, non-profits, and specialised institutions must work in synergy to scale social outcomes.
“With corporate foundations managing a growing share of CSR budgets, the future of CSR will depend on how effectively these entities collaborate with academia and government systems to build institutional capacity,” the report added.
Key Facts from the Report
| Indicator | Insight (FY 2023–24) |
|---|---|
| Large CSR-budget firms with own foundations | 60% |
| Average project size via corporate foundations | ₹1.83 crore |
| Average project size via other agencies | ₹0.91 crore |
| Share of CSR funding via universities & hospitals | 19% |
| Share of CSR projects implemented through non-NGO partners | 20% |
| Education and research institutions’ share in this funding | 50% |
| IITs’ share of university-linked CSR funding | 17% |
© IndiaCSR.in
