Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important chapter of Indian corporate governance that establishes the responsibility of corporations to contribute to the nation’s development alongside profit maximisation. The Companies Act, 2013, requires companies with certain finances to spend on socially responsible activities like education and healthcare, the conservation of the environment, and rural development. Indian enterprises are increasingly realising the need to practice CSR efficiently and are working in the direction of the Sustainable Development Goals. CSR investment not only builds a company image but also creates a lasting social impact on the welfare sector with NGOs and community-based organisations all over the country.
What is CSR and CSR Funding?
Corporate Social Responsibility is an approach followed by firms where they acknowledge their duty towards the environmental, social, and economic impacts of their business practices. A few Indian firms with adequate financial credentials need to spend at least 2% of their three-year average net worth on CSR initiatives under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. These activities are to be aligned with the sectors prescribed under Schedule VII of the Act, like urbanisation, health care, gender empowerment, environmental harmony, rural development, etc.
CSR funds are the money donated by qualified companies to undertake or support activities that create tangible social impacts. CSR funds may be directed through NGOs, Section 8 companies, or other implementing agencies authorised by the sanctioning authority. The tactic assists in bridging societal development imbalances and allows businesses to play a positive role towards building a nation and promoting well-being in society, thus guaranteeing their ethical and legal obligations. Thus, CSR investment becomes a key factor in guaranteeing inclusive development.
Preparation before Applying for CSR Funding
Preparation for CSR funding entails more than just the submission of an application; it also includes promoting your organisation’s competence, integrity, and potential to bring change. A properly prepared organisation stands out and develops long-term alliances with corporate partners.
1. Statutory and Legal Readiness
As a requirement for CSR financing, your organisation should be compliance-ready and legally ready.
Mandatory Requirements:
- Organisational NGO, Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company
- Organisational PAN card
- MCA CSR-1 Form Approval (compulsory from April 1, 2021)
- Income tax exemption up to 12A registration.
- Registration under 80G (tax benefits to donors) and FCRA (foreign contributions).
Tip: Unless your business is CSR-1 certified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), it will not be qualified to receive CSR payments under the Companies Act, 2013.
2. Organisational Capacity and Credibility
Organisations tend to support NGOs with organisational maturity and impact.
Prepare:
- Comprehensive organisation profile
- Historical list of completed projects and beneficiaries
- Audited accounts (previous 3 years)
- Annual reports
- Organisational chart and governance board information
- Distinctive mission and vision statements
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
Tip: Establish credibility by demonstrating your work through impact stories, case studies, videos, and testimonials.
3. Properly Define Your Project Idea
Your proposed project should be categorised under one of the CSR thematic areas enumerated under Schedule VII of the Companies Act (i.e., education, health, women empowerment, environmental sustainability, etc.).
Things to prepare:
- Evidence-based or baseline-supported problem statement
- Well-defined project goals and objectives
- Targeted area and target population
- Plan of implementation and activity
- Timeline and duration of implementation
- Indicators of impact and expected results
- Framework for monitoring and evaluation
- Sustainability plan (beyond money)
Tip: Design your project to be scalable, sustainable, and outcome-oriented.
4. Budget Development
Firms look for well-structured and transparent budgets that rationalise the costs.
Prepare:
- Budget by detailed activity
- Justification of every cost item
- Capital and operating expense breakdown
- Indirect/administrative expenses (keep between 5–10% of overall budget)
- Co-funding specifications (if required)
Tip: Don’t overestimate your budget. Keep it realistic and focused on end results.
5. Documentation and Formats
Before submitting your proposal online or making an application, compile and arrange all of your paperwork.
Checklist for Key Documents:
- Registration certificates for CSR1, 12A, 80G, PAN
- Certificate of incorporation, trust deed, society registration
- If appropriate, certification of FCRA
- MOA / AOA
- Current NGO DARPAN ID (https://ngodarpan.gov.in)
- Board resolution granting permission for fundraising
- Project proposal document (in corporate-friendly format)
- Bank details and cancelled cheque
- List of important personnel and qualifications
- Photos/videos of previous work (optional, but powerful)
6. Digital Presence and Branding
In today’s digital era, corporates tend to research your web presence prior to sanctioning partnerships.
Prepare:
- Functional and contemporary NGO website
- Active social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
- Fundraising platform registration (e.g., GiveIndia, GuideStar, Samhita, GoodCSR)
- Revised NGO DARPAN profile
7. Build a Proposal Team or Seek Consultant Help
Strategic writing, technical planning, and budget projection are all components of the proposed CSR initiatives.
To-do tasks:
- Get together a team for proposal development.
- If necessary, employ a CSR expert or fundraising expert.
- Most businesses or CSR platforms provide forms, so use proposal templates.
8. Investigate and Match with Corporate Priorities
Every business has unique CSR emphasis areas, geographic coverage, and partnership strategies.
Preliminary activities:
- Study and research the CSR strategy of target firms.
- Review their past CSR activities and collaborations.
- Match your offer with their objectives and values.
- Utilise themes and keywords from their CSR publications.
Tip: Aligning yourself with a company improves your odds of being chosen and financed.
9. Internal Systems and Monitoring Tools
Companies might do due diligence prior to funding your project.
Prepare
- These strong financial systems (accounting software/Tally/QuickBooks)
- Internal audit controls
- Procurement and HR policies
- MIS for monitoring purposes
- Utilisation certificates and project reports.
10. Field Visits or Audit Preparation
Firms can conduct site verification, beneficiary interviews, financial audits, and background investigations following the application:
- Site authentication
- Interviews with beneficiaries
- Financial review
- Background investigation
Tip: Make certain all personnel have been briefed and documents are accessible for review.
Online Process for CSR Funding Application
Online application for CSR funding requires a systematic and well-thought-out approach. Firms that come under the purview of the CSR provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (India) typically put up requests for proposals or provide portals whereby eligible NGOs, Section 8 companies, and other nonprofit entities submit their projects to be funded.
1. Understand the CSR Regulations and Eligibility Criteria
To apply, your organisation should satisfy the following requirements:
- Be an existing NGO, Section 8 company, or a registered society/trust
- Be registered on the MCA21 portal and have approval of Form CSR-1
- Have valid 12A and 80G registrations under the Income Tax Act, 1961
- Have a specified and measurable social impact goal as mentioned in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 (e.g., education, healthcare, environment).
2. Find Corporations that Offer CSR Funding
In order to locate companies that are involved in CSR activities, use sources like NGO Darpan (https://ngodarpan.gov.in) or their CSR reports on corporate websites.
- MCA CSR Portal (https://csr.gov.in)
- India CSR Network (https://indiacsr.in)
- Samhita GoodCSR, GiveIndia, LetzChange, Tata Sustainability Group, etc.
Look for organisations whose CSR interest areas coincide with the goal of your project.
3. Register with CSR Platforms and Create a Profile
Many organisations process bids via specialised sites or CSR portals. The common steps are:
Organisational profile creation, which should include:
- Legal documents: PAN, 12A, 80G, CSR-1 certificate.
- Records from prior work, including impact analysis, finances, and project reports.
- Annual reports and audit results.
Tata Trusts, Reliance Foundation, Infosys Foundation, HCL Foundation’s grant platform, and Aditya Birla Group’s application platform are examples of CSR portals.
4. Finish the Paperwork and Proposal
Your online proposal should explicitly include:
- Project title, objectives, and intended beneficiaries
- Geographic deployment scope
- length and schedule
- Budget breakdown
- Key actions and results
- Systems for monitoring and assessment
- Sustainability approach
Attachments:
- Word or PDF of the project proposal
- Registration certificates
- audited the financial records for three years
- List of members of the Board
- Bank details and cancelled cheque
- PAN, 12A, and 80G certificates
- CSR-1 acknowledgment
5. Upload your Proposal Online
After your proposal and documentation are complete:
- Go to the CSR portal or the company’s specific application URL.
- Upload documents and proposals as requested.
- Fill out appropriate online forms carefully.
- Submit and retain a record of the application reference or ID.
6. Follow-Up and Communication
After submission:
- Acknowledgement emails are sent automatically by some portals.
- Corporations can ask for presentations or clarification.
- Check your email or portal dashboard periodically for updates.
7. Project Evaluation and Approval
Your project will be technically and financially evaluated if it has been shortlisted. Some firms will carry out field verification or partner audits. You might also be asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding or a grant agreement.
8. Post-approval Compliance
If accepted, you are required to furnish certificates and reports on utilisation and progress on a regular basis, follow CSR reporting guidelines (which can vary by company), and maintain transparency and impact reporting.
Final Tips
- Align your proposal with the company’s CSR policy and thematic focus
- Maintain a professional presentation and clear impact
- Apply early, especially when portals issue calls for the financial year
- Always have a timely update of your documents and soft copies at hand.
Conclusion
Online application for CSR funding involves careful strategic planning, legal compliance, and concordance with the social goals of the company. In order to establish trust and obtain partnerships, implementing agencies and non-governmental organisations need to focus on transparency in communication, measurable effects, and credibility.
Through proper utilisation of online forums, organisations are able to avail critical funding opportunities and partner with corporations for sustainable social change and empowerment of marginalised communities in most fields of development.
