Top 10 NGOs in India 2024: Know the Best NGOs Changing the Lives of People in India

India is a vast country with innumerable NGOs. But there are a few which are known to have a significant impact on the Country. If you have a look at the top 10 NGOs in India, you will find that all of them are fighting for humanity in one way or another.

These NGOs work towards achieving the vital work of the welfare of the community. They help those who need it most in the best possible way. The people who work for NGOs are often volunteers. They work for the youth, the impoverished, and the oppressed.

A large number of people also donate to these NGOs after getting impressed with their selfless work. We are providing a list of top NGO in India to which you can trust and donate. They will make sure that your money gets utilised for the right cause. 

Understand NGOs and their Working

Before we move on and discuss the best NGO working in India in 2024, you should under the What are NGOs? Non-governmental organisations or NGOs are nonprofit organisations that are not controlled by a state or a government. Instead, they are generally funded by donations and have a social or humanitarian mission.

They have been around for many years and there are thousands of them in India. They range from international organisations such as the Red Cross to local organisations such as the Girl Scouts.

The most common types of NGOs are charitable, educational, and scientific. NGOs are a way for people to give back to their community.

List of 10 Best NGOs in India

There are a lot of NGOs in India, but not all of them are the same. Some of them are big and have many employees, while others are small and have just a few. Some of these NGOs focus on one cause, while others help out in many areas. The following is a list of the top ten NGOs in India.

Rank	Name of the NGO	Area of Work
1	Child Right and You (CRY)	Education, Healthcare, Education, Protection from child labour/ child marriage
2	HelpAge India	Healthcare, Livelihood, Education, Environment, Water, Sanitation, Access & Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief
3	Smile Foundation	Education, Livelihood, Disaster Relief, Healthcare, and Women Empowerment
4	Care India	Livelihood, Education, Disaster Relief, Health, etc.
5	Pratham	Children Education
6	Salaam Baalak Trust	Education for Street Children
7	Goonj	Clothing for Everyone
8	Nanhi Kali	Education for underprivileged girls in India
9	SaveLIFE Foundation	Road Safety in India
10	MSF India	Providing Medicinal Aids at the time of crisis

Details of the Most Trusted NGO in India

#1. Child Rights and You (CRY)

Child Rights and You (CRY) is an NGO that works to end child abuse and exploitation. It works to protect children by engaging the government, partnering with organisations, and advocating for change. CRY has been around since 1979 and working to ensure that all children have the right to a good education. CRY is trying to make sure that children in India have access to health care and the opportunity to live healthy lives.

Year of Foundation	1979
Founder	Rippan Kapur
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Children’s Right
Headquarters	Mumbai
Location	Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi
Address	189/A Anand Estate, Diagonally Opposite Arthur Road Jail, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai – 400011
Email	cryinfo.mum@crymail.org
Phone Number	+91-9115911500
Official Website	www.cry.org

#2. HelpAge India

HelpAge India is a non-profit organisation that strives to provide care and support to older people in India. The organisation has been working on providing elderly people with basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. It has already provided these services to millions of elderly people with help from a large number of citizens of India.

The organisation is also involved in raising awareness about the importance of older people in society, as well as how they can live in dignity.  HelpAge India is the first and only Indian organisation to be honoured with the ‘UN Population Award 2020’ for its work in the field of ageing, and relief efforts work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Year of Foundation	1978
Founder	Mr. Jackson Cole, Samson Daniel
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Helping the Elderly
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Pan India
Address	C–14 Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi – 110016
Email	headoffice@helpageindia.org, hr@helpageindia.org, rm@helpageindia.org
Phone Number	1800-180-1253
Official Website	www.helpageindia.org

#3. Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is an amazing NGO that was founded in the year 2002. The founders of this NGO are inspired by the thought and Philosophy of Peter Senge. Through relevant education, innovative healthcare, and market-focused livelihood programs, this non-profit organisation aims to empower underprivileged children, youth, and women.

CSR Health Impact Awards 2020, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) America, BW Social Impact Leadership Award, and IPE NGO Excellence Award endorsed by World CSR Day and Asian Confederation of Business are just a few of the many prestigious awards that Smile Foundation has already received.

Year of Foundation	2002
Founder	Shantanu Mishra
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	empower underprivileged children, youth and women
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Pan India
Address	161 B/4, 3rd Floor, Gulmohar House, Yusuf Sarai Community Centre, New Delhi – 110049
Email	info@smilefoundationindia.org
Phone Number	+91-11-43123700, +91-11-41354564/65/66
Official Website	www.smilefoundationindia.org

#4. CARE India

Founded in 2013, CARE India is working continuously in India in the field of humanitarian relief and development support. It is a non-profit organisation which is run by volunteers. The aim of this NGO is to create sustainable change for the better in the lives of Indian women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty and providing them with a chance at a life of dignity and opportunity.

During difficult times, CARE India collaborated with state and local governments across India to control and contain COVID-19 and reach communities. Through system strengthening, community resilience, and vaccinations, CARE India’s Volunteers have reached over 10 million people and contributed to 2% of vaccinations.

Also Check: World NGO Day

Please note that CARE India is a unit of CARE (Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) International founded in the 1940s. 

Year of Foundation	2013 (as a separate identity in India)
Founder	Arthur Cuming Ringland, Wallace Campbell, Lincoln Clark (Founder of Care International)
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Emergency response, education, food security, water and sanitation, economic development, etc.
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Pan India
Address	Module No. 411, 4th Floor, NSIC-MDBP Building, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi – 110020, India
Email	contactus@careindia.org
Phone Number	011-69200000
Official Website	www.careindia.org

#5. Pratham

Pratham is an NGO that works to ensure the educational and social development of children in India. Their mission is to create a world where every child can learn and grow into a life of opportunity. In order to help children in India get the education they deserve, Pratham has created innovative programs that provide access to education for children in low-income communities.

By providing support and resources to parents, teachers, and students, this NGO helps children succeed in school, keep healthy, and develop the skills they need to live successful lives.

Year of Foundation	1995
Founder	Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Every Child in School and Learning Well
Headquarters	Mumbai
Location	22 States and UT
Address	Y.B. Chavan Center, 4th Floor, Gen. J. Bhosale Marg. Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400021
Email	info@pratham.org
Phone Number	022 22819561, 022 22819562
Official Website	www.pratham.org

#6. Salaam Baalak Trust

Founded by Mira Nair, Salaam Baalak Trust is a Delhi-based NGO that works to provide education, care and support to children who live in Delhi and work on the streets. Their work is focused on providing education, healthcare, food and shelter for these children. They have successfully helped over 119,000 children from all across India to get an education.

Year of Foundation	1988
Founder	Mira Nair
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Education for Street Kids
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Delhi NCR
Address	2nd Floor, DDA Community Centre, Chandiwali Gali, Paharganj, New Delhi, 110055
Email	contact@salaambaalaktrust.org, tanya@salaambaalaktrust.org
Phone Number	011-23589305
Official Website	salaambaalaktrust.com

#7. Goonj

Goonj is founded by Anshu Gupta who is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee. The organisation distributes clothing to homeless shelters, refugee camps, and disaster zones. In 2004, Goonj won Changemaker’s Innovation Award for its School-to-School initiative. In addition, Goonj establishes activity centres in village schools and gives away school supplies while engaging the students in additional activities.

Year of Foundation	1999
Founder	Anshu Gupta
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Provide Clothing to every who needs
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	23 states across India
Address	Madan Pur Khadar, Near Sunder Public School, New Delhi
Email	mail@goonj.org
Phone Number	011-26972351, 41401216
Official Website	goonj.org

#8. Nanhi Kali

Nanhi Kali is an Indian nonprofit organization dedicated to educating girls in India, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. Nanhi Kali was founded in 1996  by Anand Mahindra. Currently, it is jointly managed by KC Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation.

The program’s goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for girls to grow and learn while they are under the guidance of the Nanhi Kali staff. Nanhi Kali works with schools, orphanages, and other organizations that can provide a safe and nurturing environment for girls.

Year of Foundation	1996
Founder	Anand Mahindra
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Education for underprivileged girls in India
Headquarters	Mumbai
Location	Pan India
Address	K. C. Mahindra Education Trust, Cecil Court, Near Regal Cinema, Mahakavi Bhushan Marg, Mumbai – 400001.
Email	support@nanhikali.org
Phone Number	+91-22-68975500
Official Website	nanhikali.org

#9. SaveLIFE Foundation

The SaveLIFE Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that was founded in the year 2008. The foundation aims to spread awareness about road safety and to make our roads safer for everyone.

This foundation is run by volunteers who are passionate about the cause and want to make a difference. The foundation has been able to achieve a lot in its short time. It has spread awareness about crash prevention and post-crash response. It has helped people with their road safety education and has helped save lives. This NGO was featured in Times Magazine in 2015.

Year of Foundation	2008
Founder	Piyush Tiwari
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Road Safety in India
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Pan India
Address	D-10 First Floor, Harsha Lane No 3, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi, Delhi 110013
Email	info@savelifefoundation.org
Phone Number	+91-11-41091911, +91-11-41091910
Official Website	savelifefoundation.org

#10. MSF India

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international NGO with a strong presence in India. The NGO provides medical aid to the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and epidemics.

They work with communities in India, including those at risk of infection and those affected by the epidemic. They also provide assistance to international medical teams, who come to India to provide care to patients. MSF India is a member of MSF International, which is one of the world’s largest independent humanitarian organisations.

Year of Foundation	1971
Founder	A group of doctors and journalists
Type of organisation	Non-government organisation
Primary Focus	Medicinal Aids during the crisis
Headquarters	Delhi
Location	Jammu Kashmir, Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc.
Address	5th Floor, Okhla NSIC Metro Station Building, New Delhi – 110020, India
Email	India.Info@new-delhi.msf.org
Phone Number	+91-11-69110000
Official Website	msfsouthasia.org

How NGOs Make Money in India?

NGOs in India use various techniques to raise funds. A few of them are discussed below.

• Crowdfunding – Crowdfunding is a new way for NGOs to raise money for their projects. The goal of this strategy is to raise small amounts of money from a large number of people.
• Walk-in Donations – Walk-in donation is the traditional method of raising funds. NGOs set up camps to collect money. Those who want to donate can directly walk up to these camps and donate as per their wish. 
• Corporate Partnership – Many NGOs are partnering with corporations to help raise money for the organisations. This is a very effective way for corporations to make a difference in the world and make themselves more socially responsible. The partnership creates a win-win situation for both parties, as it provides the companies with access to new audiences and customers, while the nonprofits receive much-needed funding.
• Online Fundraising – NGOs use online platforms to raise funds for their cause. This includes social media and various appeal websites. There are many benefits to fundraising online, such as the ability to reach a global audience with your cause

Frequently Asked Questions

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