Topic : How Marpu Foundation Scaled Impact in 23 States Without Foreign Funding: A Case Study
"When you start at the grassroots, you begin with the people who matter most. That’s how you reach the real audience—those directly affected and most capable of driving change."
A Grassroots Beginning
At the Marpu Foundation, change begins at the grassroots. Instead of handing down solutions, the focus is on building them together with local communities, especially children and youth. This kind of bottom-up approach makes sure that every initiative is rooted in real-life needs, guided by local voices, and sustained through shared responsibility.
In a space where most nonprofits depend on foreign aid, Marpu Foundation chose a different path. It managed to grow and make a real impact across the country without taking a single rupee from international donors. This was a conscious, values-driven choice, inspired by the belief that real change should come from within the community, not from outside it.
Let's start how, with active programs in 23 states and a volunteer base of over 12 million, Marpu Foundation has redefined people-powered change. What began in Hyderabad has expanded to 39 operational locations, with partnerships spanning 10,000+ NGOs, 5,000+ schools, and 250+ corporates, including several Fortune 500 companies.
Recognized for its impactful work, Marpu was named "NGO of the Year – Empowering Environment" at the 2022 NGO Awards Summit, while founder Kadiri Raghu Vamsi was honored with the Karmaveer Chakra Award in 2019 for his environmental leadership.
Core Beliefs
Marpu Foundation’s core idea is to inspire change and build a fair, kind, and sustainable future by empowering individuals through innovative, compassionate, and community-led initiatives. Whether in environment, education, or health, every effort is rooted in real needs and guided by local voices.
By working hand-in-hand with communities and supported by a strong network of volunteers, NGOs, and corporate partners, Marpu bridges local action with large-scale impact. From tree-planting and healthcare to education, the foundation promotes collective responsibility and reimagines development through inclusive, ground-up collaboration.
Why not foreign grants?
Marpu Foundation rejected foreign grants to avoid rigid frameworks and donor-driven agendas that can weaken grassroots impact. Instead, it embraced a self-reliant model, powered by youth energy, volunteerism, and strong local partnerships. By relying solely on Indian support, the foundation affirmed its belief in self-determination and the freedom to chart its own course. Over time, Marpu has shown that community-led efforts, grounded in clear values, can drive meaningful change across the nation.
Instead they have embraced impact model which is built on three core pillars:
1. Massive Volunteer Engagement
From college students to retired citizens, Marpu brings together people of all backgrounds—united not by profit, but by purpose. With minimal infrastructure, volunteers lead powerful campaigns on everything from menstrual hygiene and school repairs to environmental conservation.
2. Corporate CSR Partnerships
Rather than relying on foreign aid, Marpu channels Indian corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, using them to support tree plantations, health camps, digital literacy, and clean water projects—all aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Community and School Collaborations
By partnering with schools and local institutions, Marpu taps into existing resources like classrooms, tools, and local support to take its programs deep into rural and underserved areas, without depending on international intermediaries.
Initiatives across India
Marpu Foundation has implemented its initiatives across a wide range of locations in India. In Telangana, particularly around Hyderabad, it has led lake restoration, tree plantation, and hygiene awareness drives. In rural Andhra Pradesh, Marpu has upgraded school infrastructure, provided learning kits, and improved sanitation for hundreds of students. Across 20+ cities in multiple states, the foundation has organized large-scale environmental campaigns including tree planting, waste management workshops, and clean-up drives. Marpu’s women empowerment programs have delivered vocational training and financial literacy to women, enabling them to start small businesses. In urban centers like Mumbai, it has partnered with corporate CSR initiatives to support inclusive projects—such as empowering differently-abled individuals and beautifying pediatric hospitals. This broad geographical footprint reflects Marpu's decentralized, community-centered model that adapts to local needs while maintaining a strong national vision for change.
Why Marpu Foundation ?
It’s about reimagining how change happens in India through its own people, resources, and resilience. Marpu Foundation is not just an NGO ,it is a blueprint for what ethical, scalable, people-led development can look like in India. By turning away from foreign funds, Marpu turned toward the people. In doing so, it rewrote the script for grassroots transformation.
