CSR

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Prominent Indian Foundations Transforming Communities

India’s philanthropic landscape is shaped by several influential foundations that address critical social challenges through targeted, scalable, and sustainable initiatives. Among them, the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), Reliance Foundation, and Smile Foundation stand out for their focused agendas in community empowerment, holistic development, and grassroots welfare. Each operates with a clear mission to uplift vulnerable populations, though their approaches, scale, and leadership differ.

Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF)

Established in 2011 as the official CSR and social development arm of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA), BIPF works primarily in the mineral-rich regions of Odisha. Its core agenda is to drive socio-economic transformation by engaging, educating, and empowering the most marginalized communities. The foundation focuses on sustainable development through key areas such as women’s empowerment, skill development and livelihood enhancement, healthcare (including anemia prevention and adolescent health), education, water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, environmental management, and advocacy. It emphasizes long-term, inter-generational change by promoting financial and social inclusion, self-reliance among rural women, and community-led initiatives that create a cascading positive impact on regional development.

BIPF is founded and led by Ms. Shaifalika Panda, who serves as its Trustee, Founder, and CEO. She also heads CSR (Special Initiatives) at IMFA and has been the driving force behind the foundation’s strategic vision and on-ground implementation since its inception.

Reliance Foundation Launched in 2010, Reliance Foundation is one of India’s largest corporate philanthropic organizations. Its agenda centers on building an inclusive and sustainable India by tackling multifaceted development challenges. The foundation adopts a holistic approach across several verticals: rural transformation, healthcare, education, sports for development, disaster response, arts-culture-heritage, and urban renewal. It aims to empower marginalized and vulnerable communities through innovative, replicable, and scalable solutions that enhance quality of life and contribute to national progress. Over the years, it has impacted tens of millions of people through large-scale programs in nutrition, education access, healthcare delivery, and community resilience.

The foundation was set up under the leadership of Smt. Nita M. Ambani, who is its Founder and Chairperson. She personally steers its vision and initiatives, aligning them with Reliance Industries’ broader commitment to societal value creation.

Smile Foundation

Founded in 2002, Smile Foundation is a national-level development organization that follows a life-cycle approach to empower underprivileged children, youth, and women. Its primary agenda is to provide relevant education, innovative healthcare, and market-focused livelihood opportunities, enabling beneficiaries to lead dignified and self-reliant lives. The foundation runs more than 400 live welfare projects across over 2,000 villages and urban slums in 25 states, directly benefiting over 15 lakh children and their families annually. Key focus areas include child education, maternal and child healthcare, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihood programs, all designed to create lasting grassroots impact.

Smile Foundation was co-founded by Santanu Mishra, who serves as its Executive Trustee and has been the key figure in scaling the organization from a small initiative into a reputed national institution. He left his corporate career in 2005 to dedicate himself fully to leading and expanding the foundation’s work.

These three foundations illustrate the diverse models of Indian philanthropy — from corporate-backed regional interventions (BIPF) and large-scale national programs (Reliance Foundation) to grassroots, people-centric development (Smile Foundation). Together, they contribute significantly to India’s social sector by addressing education, health, livelihoods, and women’s empowerment while promoting sustainability and community ownership. Their work reflects a shared commitment to inclusive growth and long-term societal transformation.

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It’s Time India Sees Its Women Micro-Entrepreneurs

Millions of Indian women quietly run small businesses tailoring units, food stalls, handicrafts, and home-based services that support families and strengthen local economies. Yet most remain invisible to the formal financial system, struggling to access credit and scale.

Women-owned micro-enterprises receive only about 7% of total MSME credit from banks, despite high participation under schemes like the Mudra Yojana. The credit gap is wider for women-led units due to lack of collateral, formal documentation, and credit history. While Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have demonstrated strong repayment records, many individual women entrepreneurs continue to fall through the cracks.

This invisibility stems not from lack of skill or effort, but from lending systems not designed for micro-level informal setups. Strengthening credit guarantees, recognising informal repayment patterns, and creating flexible risk-sharing tools can help unlock their potential.

Indian philanthropists and leaders have long championed women’s economic agency. Chetna Gala Sinha founded the Mann Deshi Mahila Bank to support rural women entrepreneurs. Rohini Nilekani, Sudha Murty, Anu Aga, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and Shaifalika Panda have contributed through initiatives focused on livelihoods, skill development, education, and financial inclusion for women.

India cannot afford to keep these micro-entrepreneurs hidden. With improved financial access and ecosystem support, they can drive more inclusive and sustainable growth.

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Towards an Inclusive and Resilient India

As India aims for higher economic growth, questions of equitable prosperity are becoming central to the development debate. Many experts believe that the country’s true success will be measured not just by GDP numbers, but by how fairly prosperity is shared across regions and communities.

Shaifalika Panda, founder of a community development initiative, stresses that building real resilience requires long-term, consistent efforts rather than short-term fixes. “Resilience is built over years through steady capacity building in health, climate, and livelihoods,” she notes.

Experience from rural and underserved areas shows that health, education, and skilling are deeply interconnected. Improvements in maternal and child health lead to better school attendance, while relevant skill training boosts employment and family incomes. A holistic, lifecycle-based approach is seen as essential to harness India’s demographic dividend.

Experts also highlight the importance of strengthening local institutions panchayats, self-help groups, and community systems — so people can sustain progress independently. Private philanthropy can play a supportive role by testing innovative models and bridging gaps that public systems may find difficult to address quickly.

Looking ahead, sustainable growth will depend on greater inclusion of women, tribal communities, and remote regions. India’s progress will ultimately be judged by how equitably its prosperity reaches every section of society.

Azim Premji focuses on building the “agency” of the public education system. Rather than just infrastructure, his foundation invests in the capacity of teachers and government functionaries, creating sustainable improvements from within.

Rohini Nilekani advocates for civic agency. Her approach centers on strengthening civil society and enabling citizens to solve their own problems, moving beyond being passive beneficiaries to active participants in change.

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Honouring Odisha’s Hidden Heroes of Social Change

In a recent event held in Bhubaneswar, several grassroots contributors from Odisha were recognised for their work in tackling everyday social and community issues. The occasion marked the latest edition of an annual award that spotlights local efforts in fields like public health, agriculture, traditional crafts, and youth empowerment.

Two organisations received the main recognition: Sathee Parivar from Angul district and Balangir Gramodyog Samiti from Balangir district. Sathee Parivar has worked on lowering snakebite deaths in rural areas by running awareness programs, collaborating with local authorities, and setting up community response teams to handle emergencies more effectively. Balangir Gramodyog Samiti, on the other hand, has assisted small-scale farmers through skill-building sessions, better access to resources, and improved market links, while also encouraging group farming approaches that help diversify crops and strengthen economic stability in challenging conditions.

Dr. Sasmita Meher from Bargarh was given a special commendation for her role in supporting traditional handloom work. Her initiatives have enabled women from disadvantaged backgrounds to earn sustainable incomes by linking age-old weaving techniques with current market demands, helping preserve cultural skills while creating livelihood opportunities.

Two young women from a village in Kandhamal district, Sarmilata Pradhan and Yamuna Pradhan, were honoured as youth icons. The sisters have encouraged girls in their area to take part in football and have led efforts to educate communities about the harms of child marriage, fostering greater confidence and equality among adolescents.

The awards were presented by Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, with participation from Jayant Rastogi of Magic Bus India Foundation. The gathering also reflected on broader community development work over the past 15 years by the organising BIPF foundation which is founded by Shaifalika Panda.

Events like this draw attention to the steady, often under-the-radar contributions made by people working at the village and district levels across India. In regions facing limited resources, such focused actions in health safety, farming support, artisan livelihoods, and social awareness can bring noticeable improvements to daily life and long-term community resilience. These examples from Odisha show how determined local involvement continues to address real needs and inspire wider change

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Women’s Economic Power: The Key to Systems Change

As the echoes of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 fade, it’s a poignant reminder that progress isn’t a one-day celebration it’s a relentless pursuit woven into the fabric of our economies and societies. This year, amid global conversations on #IWD2026 and #GiveToGain, the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) dropped a gem that’s worth every listener’s time: the launch of Season 2 of their Gender Agenda podcast. Hosted by the insightful Kelly Latimer, the inaugural episode “Gender Equality as Systems Transformation: From Isolated Efforts to Integrated Impact” is a clarion call to rethink how we approach women’s economic empowerment. Not as siloed projects, but as transformative shifts in the very systems that define opportunity.

If you’ve ever wondered why gender initiatives often feel like drops in an ocean of inequality, this episode unpacks it with precision. Drawing from the experiences of two powerhouse voices Shaifalika Panda, Founder & CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, and Pat Dwyer, Founder of The Purpose Business and AVPN’s Gender Equality Ambassador the discussion challenges us to integrate gender lenses into corporate strategies, mentorship pipelines, and value chains. It’s not just talk; it’s a blueprint for turning aspiration into action.

#WomenEconomicEmpowerment #SystemsChange #PodcastRecommendation #AsiaPhilanthropy #IWD2026 #FeminismInBusiness

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Saluting Women Shaping the Future

On this International Women’s Day, we honor the extraordinary women who are not just breaking barriers but building bridges to a more equitable India. From philanthropy to grassroots change, Indian women leaders are redefining giving, empowerment, and resilience proving that when women lead with purpose, entire communities thrive.

Shaifalika Panda — Founder & CEO of Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation embodies “agency, not aid.” Her work in Odisha empowers rural women, farmers, and youth through community-led solutions, digital inclusion, and sustainable development. As she beautifully puts it: “Sustainable change stems from agency. When communities possess the ability, confidence, and opportunity to chart their own courses…” Her vision inspires us to invest in self-reliance over dependency.

Rohini Nilekani, India’s most generous woman philanthropist (EdelGive Hurun 2025), channels massive support into education, water security, mental health, and climate resilience. Through Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, she builds long-term ecosystems for equity, reminding us that true philanthropy strengthens institutions and fosters hope for future generations.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw , trailblazing founder of Biocon, ranks among the top givers, directing funds to science, research, and health innovation. Her commitment shows how women’s leadership in philanthropy drives breakthroughs that benefit society at large.

Other inspiring voices include Anu Aga, Bina Shah, and many more women leading family foundations with empathy and strategy — 55% of Indian philanthropic families now have women at the helm, embedding gender-conscious approaches that prioritize equity and intersectionality.

This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate these changemakers and commit to accelerating action every day: support women’s agency, amplify their voices, and invest in inclusive progress. Because empowering one woman transforms families, communities, and nations.

To every woman reading this — your strength, vision, and kindness light the way forward. Here’s to you today and always.

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Purpose Meets Technology: Advancing Inclusive Education

The Digital Inclusion Summit 2026 brought together educators, policymakers, technology leaders, and philanthropists to drive conversations around equitable access to digital learning and the future of inclusive education in India. Held in New Delhi as a precursor to the broader AI impact discussions in the country, the Summit focused on ensuring that technology and AI are deployed responsibly and inclusively to bridge the digital divide.

The event spotlighted how human-centric AI, digital infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration can transform learning outcomes, particularly for underserved communities. A key highlight was a powerful discussion hosted by Accelerate Indian Philanthropy (AIP) on enabling purposeful philanthropy for long-term impact.

The session featured leading philanthropists including Anupama Dalmia, Founder of Seekho Sikhao Foundation; Jaishree Goyal, Founder of Anandaya Foundation; and Shaifalika Panda of Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Radhika Jain, Philanthropy Partner & COO at AIP.

The panel emphasised that philanthropy must go beyond funding — acting as catalytic capital, nurturing innovative ideas, and strengthening community-led solutions. By aligning technology, education, and strategic giving, the Summit reinforced a shared vision: making digital access and quality education truly accessible for all.

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Women Leading Rural India’s Next Chapter

In India’s vibrant landscape of social change, Shaifalika Panda shines as a dedicated leader. As Founder and CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), she drives integrated programs in health, education, livelihoods, and digital inclusion, with a strong focus on empowering rural women and youth in Odisha and beyond. A Boston University Questrom School of Business alumna, she also served as Convener of the G20 EMPOWER Mentorship Working Group and recently received the Shakti Award for her work in women’s empowerment and rural development.

She stands alongside other inspiring Indian women leaders who are building similar impact through grassroots innovation, economic empowerment, and community resilience.

Chetna Sinha, founder of Mann Deshi Foundation, pioneered India’s first rural women-led microfinance bank, equipping women with entrepreneurial skills, financial access, and business training to foster self-reliance in Maharashtra’s villages.

Sudha Murthy, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, channels resources into rural education, healthcare, sanitation, and libraries, strengthening women’s roles in community upliftment.

Ruma Devi empowers Rajasthan’s rural women through craft revival, training in embroidery and patchwork to combat poverty, child marriage, and malnutrition while creating sustainable income.

These women leaders, like Shaifalika Panda, prove that targeted leadership in education, livelihoods, health, and agency can transform rural India. Their work inspires collective action toward equity and sustainable progress.

If these stories move you, support such initiatives through volunteering, donations, or advocacy change grows when we amplify these voices.

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The Power of Giving: Indian Women Creating Lasting Impact

Shaifalika Panda is the Founder, Trustee, and CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), the CSR arm of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA), where she also leads CSR Special Initiatives. Based primarily in Odisha, her work centers on sustainable, community-owned development with a strong focus on women’s empowerment, girls’ education, health, livelihoods, and digital inclusion.

Through flagship initiatives such as Project Unnati (vocational skill training for women) and Kanya Express (mobile health and education services for girls), she promotes agency-driven change — enabling communities to lead and sustain their own progress. Known for her hands-on leadership and thought leadership in women-led development, financial inclusion, and rural transformation, Shaifalika has been honored with the Shakti Awards 2025 for Excellence in Philanthropy and the Moment of Lift Award for visionary social impact.

She is part of a distinguished group of women philanthropists in India who are transforming lives through education, gender equity, and community empowerment:

Rohini Nilekani : Through Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Arghyam, she advances education, gender equity, water security, and systemic social change.

Anu Aga: Via Teach For India and Thermax Social Initiative Foundation, she champions quality primary education for underprivileged children.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Through the Biocon Foundation, she supports healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Safeena Husain: Founder of Educate Girls, she works tirelessly to enroll and retain girls in school in rural and marginalized communities.

Bina Shah: Co-founder of the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation, she advocates strongly for girls’ education and women’s empowerment.

Together, these inspiring leaders are shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and self-reliant future for India through purposeful philanthropy and community-focused impact.

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Girls First. Future Forward.

On National Girl Child Day (January 24), Shaifalika Panda, CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (CSR arm of IMFA Ltd), posted an inspiring message on LinkedIn. Drawing from her work in rural Odisha, she highlighted the “quiet courage and fierce determination” of girls who overcome obstacles walking long distances to school and using education to challenge inequality and rewrite their futures. She stressed that supporting one girl creates a powerful “ripple effect” across generations, strengthening families, communities, and the nation.

Her message centered on #NariShakti, #WomenLedDevelopment, #GenderEquity, and #GrassrootEmpowerment, aligning with the foundation’s efforts in girls’ education, health, and empowerment.

Other prominent women philanthropists from similar business-linked backgrounds who have championed girl child rights and gender equity include:

Sudha Murty (Chairperson, Infosys Foundation) — Believes educating a girl transforms entire communities and has long advocated for girls’ access to learning as a path out of poverty.

Rohini Nilekani (Founder, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies & Arghyam) — Focuses on systemic change to ensure gender equality and equal opportunities through education and resources.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Founder, Biocon & Biocon Foundation) — Advocates for girls in STEM and education, showing how empowered women fuel innovation and societal progress.

Together, these leaders demonstrate that investing in girls is key to building an equitable and prosperous India.

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India's Startups: Private Funding Surges 3.8x Over Government Schemes

India's startup ecosystem is booming, with private sector investments leading the way.

According to DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, startups have received 3.8 times more funding from private investors and the Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) ecosystem than from government schemes.

Key highlights:

Startup count exploded from ~400 in 2016 to over 2 lakh (200,000+) DPIIT-recognized entities today.

Private confidence is strong, backed by tax incentives and a maturing AIF landscape.

Government support remains crucial for high-risk areas like deep-tech and early-stage ventures through schemes such as:

Fund of Funds for Startups

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups

₹1 lakh crore earmarked for R&D and innovation support.

FDI inflows hit $51 billion in the last six months.

As Startup India marks its 10th anniversary (with National Startup Day events led by PM Narendra Modi), the focus is on deep-tech, manufacturing, corporate-startup collaborations (including 75 grand challenges), and linking R&D labs to incubators.

This 3.8x ratio shows a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem: government de-risks early stages, unlocking massive private capital.

India's startup story is stronger than ever!

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When Giving Empowers: The Rise of Agency-Led Philanthropy

For decades, traditional philanthropy in India often followed a transactional model: the “haves” providing relief to the “have-nots.” While crucial in crises, this aid-based approach rarely addresses the root causes of chronic challenges.

A powerful paradigm shift is now reshaping social impact. The new philosophy argues that sustainable development comes not from “aid,” but from fostering “agency.” It recognizes that enduring solutions are cultivated from within communities by empowering individuals to build their own futures.

At the heart of this shift is the understanding that while aid can temporarily alleviate suffering, it seldom breaks the cycle of dependency. Shaifalika Panda , CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, recently articulated this forcefully, stating, “Agency, not aid, creates sustainable change.” For leaders like Panda, philanthropy is about strategic investment in human potential through education, healthcare, and skills, restoring dignity and building resilience.

This movement is echoed by other prominent voices in Indian philanthropy:

Azim Premji focuses on building the “agency” of the public education system. Rather than just infrastructure, his foundation invests in the capacity of teachers and government functionaries, creating sustainable improvements from within.

Rohini Nilekani advocates for civic agency. Her approach centers on strengthening civil society and enabling citizens to solve their own problems, moving beyond being passive beneficiaries to active participants in change.

While immediate relief remains essential in emergencies, the goal of modern philanthropy is to transition quickly from relief to empowerment. As these leaders demonstrate, true generosity is measured not just by what is given, but by the capacity built, leaving behind confident communities ready to navigate their own futures.

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Giving With Purpose: India’s Philanthropy 2.0

The era of the “distant donor” is ending. For decades, philanthropy in India was often defined by a simple transaction: the wealthy giving to the needy. But a new indigenous philosophy is emerging one that prioritizes power over pity. This shift was recently crystallized by Shaifalika Panda, CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation, with a simple but radical mantra: “Agency, Not Aid.”

Panda argues that while aid acts as a temporary band-aid, agency is the cure. In her view, sustainable impact isn’t about how much you give, but how much power you transfer. It requires “community-owned pathways to change” that create an inter-generational shift in aspirations. This conviction places Panda at the forefront of a powerful group of Indian changemakers who are collectively redefining the sector.

She is joined by leaders like Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj, who has spent decades fighting the “myth of charity.” Gupta argues that treating people as passive beneficiaries strips them of dignity. By using cloth as a currency for development rather than a handout, he ensures that rural communities work for what they receive, thereby preserving their self-respect. This philosophy of “dignity first” dovetails perfectly with Chetna Gala Sinha of the Mann Deshi Bank, who champions financial agency. Sinha rejects the idea that rural women need charity; instead, she proves they need capital and access. By building a bank run by and for women, she demonstrates that when you provide the right tools, the community builds its own solution.

This narrative is further deepened by Ashif Shaikh of Jan Sahas and Safeena Husain of Educate Girls, who both operationalize agency through rights and ownership. While Shaikh focuses on the “agency of rights,” shifting the focus from saving victims to empowering marginalized communities to legally demand their due, Husain operates on “community agency.” Her “Team Balika” model empowers village volunteers to lead the charge in education, proving that the most effective solutions are awakened from within, not imported from outside.

The consensus among Panda, Gupta, Sinha, Shaikh, and Husain sends a clear message to the world of social impact: We cannot donate our way out of inequality; we can only empower our way out. The Indian philanthropist of the future is not a savior, but a partner and the currency of that partnership isn’t just funding, it is dignity.

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Turning Commitment into Action: Leaders Making a Difference in Girls’ Health

True impact is measured by proximity. By engaging directly with young women through the Kanya Express, Shaifalika Panda bridges the divide between corporate intent and lived realities. Stepping beyond the boardroom, she champions anemia awareness and reproductive health at the grassroots, demonstrating that meaningful presence, not distant policy, is what dismantles cultural taboos, builds trust, and empowers the next generation.

By prioritizing presence over distance, this hands-on approach is setting a new benchmark for foundations advancing girl-child empowerment.

Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (Kanya Express): Mobile diagnostic units that tackle the “silent epidemic” of anemia and provide safe spaces for reproductive health education.

Smile Foundation (Smile on Wheels): Brings primary healthcare to the doorstep, ensuring that adolescent girls in underserved communities don’t have to choose between their health and their education.

Reliance Foundation (Health for All): Focuses on holistic wellness by integrating nutritional screenings with the development of “Nutrition Gardens” to combat iron deficiency at the source.

Anemia isn’t just a medical condition; it’s a barrier to cognitive growth.

Reproductive health education isn’t just a lesson; it’s a tool for bodily autonomy.

Leadership presence changes the conversation.

When leaders engage directly, they validate deeply personal health issues, elevate them into shared responsibility, and demonstrate that safeguarding a girl’s health today strengthens the leadership of tomorrow.

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Foundations at the Last Mile: Building Sustainable Livelihoods

In India’s journey toward 2047, the focus has shifted from mere financial aid to the creation of sustainable livelihoods. This model ensures that rural and marginalized communities are not just beneficiaries of charity but are equipped with the skills and resources to become self-reliant economic contributors. Across the country, corporate and philanthropic foundations are acting as catalysts for this change.

Building Resilience through Skilling and Entrepreneurship

The core of sustainable livelihood is “capacity building.” By providing vocational training and market linkages, foundations are helping bridge the gap between rural potential and industrial demand.

Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF): Serving as the social arm of IMFA, BIPF is a key driver of rural transformation in Odisha. Under the leadership of Subhrakant Panda (Trustee) and Shaifalika Panda (Trustee & CEO), the foundation has prioritized high-impact programs like Project Unnati. This initiative empowers women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), providing training in sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry to turn them into independent entrepreneurs. Their focus on ITI training also ensures that local youth gain the technical skills needed for modern manufacturing.

Tata Steel Foundation: One of India’s most veteran organizations, it works extensively in the “Development Corridor” of Jharkhand and Odisha. Their focus ranges from the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to increase crop yields to the Tata STRIVE initiative, which has upskilled over 400,000 youth for the formal job market.

Vedanta Foundation: Through projects like Sakhi, Vedanta supports thousands of women in establishing micro-enterprises. Their Nand Ghar initiative acts as a model Anganwadi, providing a space where women receive vocational training alongside early childhood education for their children.

Reliance Foundation: With a massive footprint in rural transformation, Reliance helps farmers and fisherfolk through digital advisories and livestock management. Their programs focus on “climate-resilient” livelihoods, ensuring that rural incomes remain stable despite environmental challenges.

The Collective Impact on India’s Growth

While each foundation has its unique focus, their collective impact is creating a “Self-Reliant India” (Atmanirbhar Bharat). By moving away from a “top-down” approach and instead focusing on grassroots participation, these organizations ensure that development is long-term.

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What Makes SABERA 2025 a Big Moment for Purpose-Led Growth in India?

The 8th edition of the Social and Business Enterprise Responsible Awards (SABERA) 2025 was held on December 12, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The awards recognized organizations and individuals who have gone beyond profit to drive meaningful social and environmental impact. Under the theme “Where Purpose Meets Progress,” the event highlighted how social responsibility is evolving from a mere obligation into a strategic opportunity to build a more inclusive India.

Top 5 Foundations Honored at SABERA 2025

Among the many winners, these five foundations stood out for their large-scale impact and innovative approaches to community development:

1. Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF)

Founder: Bansidhar Panda and Ila Panda (Social development arm of IMFA)

Award Category: Education (Shiksha) — Above 5 Cr Segment

Impact: BIPF was recognized for its relentless commitment to education and skill development in Odisha. The foundation focuses on multi-generational impact through programs that integrate maternal health, water sanitation, and economic empowerment, currently led by CEO Shaifalika Panda.

2. SBI Foundation

Founder: Established by the State Bank of India

Award Category: Gender Diversity & Inclusion and Agriculture & Rural Development

Impact: A perennial leader in the CSR space, the SBI Foundation was honored for its specialized initiatives like Sammaan, Sashakti, and Gram Seva, which drive systemic change in rural financial inclusion and gender equity.

3. Mobile Creches

Founder: Meera Mahadevan

Award Category: Non-Profit of the Year — Above 5 Cr Segment

Impact: Mobile Creches earned the prestigious Non-Profit of the Year title for its pioneering work providing early childhood care, nutrition, and education for children of migrant laborers, a group often overlooked in urban development.

4. Sushena Health Foundation

Founder: Dr. S. K. Ramesh

Award Category: Health, Nutrition & Wellbeing (Swasthya Kalyan)

Impact: This foundation was celebrated for its Dhaatri Lactation Management Unit, which focuses on improving maternal and infant health through evidence-based counseling and life-saving health outreach in underserved communities.

5. Planet Spiti Foundation

Founder: Karanbir Singh

Award Category: Education (Shiksha) — Below 40 Lakhs Segment

Impact: Recognizing grassroots excellence, this foundation was awarded for its holistic education model in the remote Spiti Valley, ensuring that geographical barriers do not prevent children from receiving quality learning and development.

The Vision Behind the Awards

The SABERA awards are distinguished by their multi-tier evaluation process, involving an eminent Grand Jury that, in 2025, included leaders like Urvashi Prasad and Geeta Goel. The ceremony also conferred the Social Leader of the Year award upon Sumitra Mishra of Mobile Creches and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ashis Mondal (ASA) and Farida Lambay (Pratham).

By highlighting these “Changemakers,” SABERA 2025 reaffirmed that the true measure of progress is the ability to elevate communities and work toward an equitable, conscious India.