Junagadh, set at the foot of the sacred Girnar hill and the gateway to the Gir lions, is a historic Saurashtra city surrounded by farmland and forest. Its NGOs are notably strong on disability welfare, alongside children's care, wildlife conservation and rural education. If you live here and want to give, volunteer or run a corporate social-responsibility programme, this guide is a useful starting point. It lists ten respected NGOs in and around Junagadh, what each does, and the checks every donor and CSR team should run first.
How we chose these NGOs
We looked for organisations with a real presence in Junagadh and Gujarat, programmes on the ground and public information about their work. Preference went to NGOs that are clear about their compliance — 12A, 80G, CSR-1 and FCRA — and that put services to people first. Treat this as a shortlist to research, and confirm an NGO's current status before you give.
Andhjan Seva Trust
Andhjan Seva Trust works to empower persons with disabilities — particularly the blind — providing quality education, nutritious food and vocational training in the Junagadh area. Helping people who are blind or disabled gain education, skills and independence is deeply impactful, often-overlooked work. For donors and CSR teams focused on disability and inclusion, it is a focused, experienced partner. Ask about the people it supports and its programmes, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Samprat Education & Charitable Trust
Samprat Education & Charitable Trust, registered under the Charity Commissioner of Junagadh, cares for severely-disabled children and provides them with various forms of training and support. Looking after children with profound disabilities is demanding, compassionate work. For donors interested in disability care, it offers a clear and specialised focus. Ask about the children in its care and its services, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Shri Ashadeep Charitable Foundation
Shri Ashadeep Charitable Foundation, based in Junagadh, works across children's welfare, support for the differently-abled, education, elderly care and health. Its broad remit lets it respond to many local needs. For donors and CSR teams interested in inclusive welfare, it is a local organisation worth researching. Ask about its main programmes and the people they reach, and confirm its registrations before funding.
WWF India (Gir landscape)
WWF India works on wildlife conservation and community engagement in landscapes including the Gir region, supporting coexistence between people and the Asiatic lion. Protecting the only home of the Asiatic lion, while supporting the communities who live alongside it, is globally important work. For donors and CSR teams interested in conservation, it is a respected, well-governed organisation. Ask about its programmes in the region and how contributions are used, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Pratham (Gujarat)
Pratham, one of India's largest education NGOs, runs programmes in Gujarat to help children master reading and basic arithmetic, working with communities and government schools. Its widely cited learning assessments keep its work measurable. For CSR teams that want learning outcomes at scale, Pratham is reliable. Ask for its coverage in the region and learning data, and confirm its compliance before funding.
Akshaya Patra Foundation (Gujarat)
Akshaya Patra runs one of the world's largest school lunch programmes, cooking and delivering mid-day meals to children in government and aided schools, with kitchens serving Gujarat. A hot, nutritious meal raises school enrolment, attendance and concentration. For donors who want a measurable, child-focused outcome, the programme is clear and proven, and its scale makes it a frequent CSR partner. Ask about meals served in the region and review its accounts, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Goonj (Gujarat)
Goonj is a national organisation known for turning urban material into a resource for rural development and for major disaster relief, with activity in Gujarat including Saurashtra. It links everyday giving to dignity-based development rather than charity. For donors and CSR teams interested in rural development and disaster response, Goonj has a strong record. Ask about its current work in the state and how contributions are used, and confirm its registrations before giving.
HelpAge India (Junagadh)
HelpAge India works for the care, health and dignity of older people, running mobile healthcare, helplines and support programmes in Junagadh and across Gujarat. As families change and younger members migrate for work, support for the elderly is increasingly needed. For donors and CSR teams focused on older people, HelpAge is an experienced national partner. Ask about its local programmes and the elders it serves, and confirm its compliance before funding.
SOS Children's Villages (Gujarat)
SOS Children's Villages provides family-based care, education and a stable home for orphaned and abandoned children, with programmes in Gujarat. The family-style model gives children long-term security rather than only institutional care. For donors who want to fund a child's whole upbringing, it offers a well-established structure. Ask about the children in care in the state and their education and outcomes, and confirm its registrations before giving.
Smile Foundation (Gujarat)
Smile Foundation is a national NGO running education, health and livelihood programmes in Gujarat, including learning centres for underprivileged children and mobile health services. Its programmes are well documented and frequently funded through corporate CSR. For donors who want established systems and reporting, it is a dependable option. Ask for the specific programmes in the region and their results, and verify its registrations before giving.
How to verify any NGO before you donate in Junagadh
Run the same short checklist before you give, whatever the cause:
- 12A — confirms registration for income-tax exemption as a charity.
- 80G — makes your donation eligible for a tax deduction; collect a valid receipt.
- CSR-1 — required before a company can route CSR funds to the NGO.
- FCRA — needed if the NGO accepts foreign contributions; confirm it is active.
- Reporting — read the latest annual report and audited accounts, and ask for concrete results.
You can browse NGOs whose compliance has been checked on NGOLists, and the compliance guide explains each registration in plain language.
Junagadh's NGOs care for its most vulnerable people and its famous lions alike. Choose the cause that matters to you, run the checks above, and give with confidence — and elsewhere in Saurashtra, see our guide to the top NGOs in Rajkot.
Find verified NGOs in Junagadh 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.