Bengaluru is one of India's most active cities for organised social work. Alongside its technology economy sits a large network of NGOs working on education, disability inclusion, child protection, healthcare and urban livelihoods — and several of the country's best-known nonprofits are headquartered here. This guide lists ten respected NGOs in Bengaluru, what each one actually does, and the checks every donor or CSR team should run before giving.
How we chose these NGOs
We looked for organisations with a clear track record in Bengaluru, real programmes on the ground, and public reporting of their work. We favoured NGOs that are transparent about compliance — 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA — and that serve communities directly rather than only raising funds. This is not a ranking by size; treat it as a starting shortlist, and verify the current status of any NGO before you commit money.
Akshaya Patra Foundation
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Akshaya Patra runs one of the world's largest school lunch programmes, cooking and delivering mid-day meals to children in government and government-aided schools. The idea is simple and proven: a hot, nutritious meal raises school enrolment, attendance and concentration. Its industrial kitchens prepare meals at scale and the organisation works closely with central and state governments. For donors, the appeal is a measurable, child-focused outcome. Because it operates at scale and accepts both domestic and corporate funding, it is a frequent CSR partner. Review its published annual reports and audited accounts, and confirm its current 12A, 80G and CSR-1 details before contributing or planning a programme around it.
Parikrma Humanity Foundation
Parikrma runs free schools for children from slums, orphanages and street communities across Bengaluru, offering full education from the early years through college and into the first job. Its model goes beyond classrooms to include nutrition, healthcare and support for the child's whole family, which helps keep children in school. The foundation is known for tracking each child's progress over many years. For a donor who wants to fund a long-term education journey rather than a one-off, this is a strong fit. Ask about per-child sponsorship options and outcome data, and verify 80G before you claim a deduction.
Dream a Dream
Dream a Dream works with children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds to build life skills — confidence, problem-solving and the ability to handle change — through sports, arts and creative learning. It also trains teachers and works inside government schools across Karnataka, so its reach extends well past its own programmes. The organisation is widely cited for its evidence-based approach to social-emotional learning. CSR teams looking to fund teacher capacity or youth employability often find a natural partner here. Ask for its programme evaluations and confirm its compliance registrations before funding.
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Samarthanam, a National Award-winning organisation based in Bengaluru, supports persons with disabilities and other underserved groups through education, accessible technology, vocational training, residential care and placement. It is also well known for promoting cricket and other sports for the blind. The trust's strength is rehabilitation that ends in real employment, not just training certificates. For companies, disability inclusion is a clear Schedule VII fit. Review its placement numbers and accessibility programmes, and confirm its 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA status before partnering.
Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA)
APSA has worked in Bengaluru's low-income settlements since the 1980s, focusing on child rights, protection from child labour, education bridge programmes for out-of-school children, and broader community development. It combines direct services with advocacy, helping families access government schemes and entitlements. For donors who care about the urban poor and child protection specifically, APSA's long local presence is reassuring. Ask how it measures children returned to school and protected from labour, and verify its registrations.
BOSCO (Bangalore Oniyavara Seva Coota)
BOSCO works with street children, runaway and working children in Bengaluru, running outreach at railway and bus stations, shelters, education and family reintegration. Many of the children it reaches arrive alone and at risk, so its rescue and rehabilitation work is time-sensitive and skilled. The organisation has a strong local network across the city. Donors funding child safety or emergency shelter should ask about reintegration outcomes and night-outreach coverage, and confirm 80G before donating.
eVidyaloka Trust
eVidyaloka, based in Bengaluru, connects volunteer teachers — many of them professionals giving a few hours a week — to children in rural government schools through digital classrooms, taught in the child's own regional language. It tackles the teacher shortage in remote schools without moving children or building new infrastructure. For a technology-minded donor or a company that wants to mobilise employee volunteers, the model is a practical fit. Ask about its active digital classrooms and learning outcomes, and confirm its 12A and 80G status.
Sukrupa
Sukrupa works in north Bengaluru with children from migrant and daily-wage families, running a school, nutrition support, vocational training and women's livelihood programmes. It is a smaller, community-rooted organisation, which suits donors who want to see a direct line between their gift and a specific neighbourhood. Because smaller NGOs sometimes have lighter public reporting, ask for recent accounts and programme updates, and confirm its registrations before giving or funding.
Christel House India
Christel House India supports children from low-income families with quality schooling backed by healthcare, nutrition and long-term career guidance — a 'cradle to career' approach that follows students into higher education and employment. The emphasis on outcomes well past the school gate makes it attractive to donors who want lasting change rather than short-term inputs. Ask about its graduate tracking and college-transition data, and confirm 80G for tax-deductible giving.
Diya Foundation
Diya Foundation provides vocational training, supported employment and day care for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bengaluru, including the production and sale of handmade goods. It fills a real gap: services for adults with disabilities are far scarcer than those for children. For donors and CSR teams focused on inclusion and dignified work, Diya offers a clear, human-scale programme. Ask about the number of adults in training and employment, and verify its compliance before funding.
How to verify any NGO before you donate in Bengaluru
Run the same short checklist every time, whatever the cause:
- 12A — confirms the NGO is registered for income-tax exemption as a charitable body.
- 80G — lets your donation qualify for a tax deduction; always collect a valid 80G receipt.
- CSR-1 — required before a company can route CSR funds to the NGO; check the registration number.
- FCRA — mandatory if the NGO accepts foreign contributions; confirm it is active, not lapsed.
- Reporting — ask for the latest annual report, audited accounts and a few concrete results.
You can browse NGOs whose compliance has been checked on NGOLists, and read the full 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA guide if any term is unfamiliar.
Bengaluru's nonprofits cover almost every cause a donor or company could want to support, from a child's first meal to an adult's first job. Pick the cause that matters to you, run the checks above, and give with confidence.
Find verified NGOs in Bengaluru on NGOLists
Every NGO listed on NGOLists is checked for 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA before it appears, so donors and CSR teams can give with confidence. List your NGO or fund a cause today.