Kohima, the hill capital of Nagaland and home of the Naga people, has a vibrant, church-rooted civil society shaped by community and a long search for peace. Its NGOs focus on youth empowerment, women's peace work, HIV and addiction care and 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 Kohima, 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 Kohima and Nagaland, 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.
Youthnet
Youthnet, based in Kohima and registered with 12A, 80G and CSR-1, enables and empowers young people across the Northeast through education, employment, entrepreneurship and skill development. In a region where youth unemployment is a real challenge, connecting young people to skills and work is transformative. For donors and CSR teams interested in youth, livelihoods and entrepreneurship, it is a compliant, well-regarded partner. Ask about its programmes and the young people it reaches, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Naga Mothers' Association
The Naga Mothers' Association, established in 1984, is an esteemed civil-society organisation working for women's empowerment, social justice and peace, including notable work against drug abuse and for those affected by HIV. Its peace and women's-rights work has shaped Naga society for decades. For donors and CSR teams interested in women's empowerment and social justice, it is a deeply respected organisation. Ask about its current programmes and how contributions are used, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Evangel Mission and Welfare Association
Evangel Mission and Welfare Association works on children's welfare, education, vocational training and women's empowerment, alongside livelihood activities, in the Kohima region. Church-rooted welfare organisations have deep community trust in Nagaland. For donors interested in education and women's and children's welfare, it is a local organisation worth researching. Ask about its programmes and the people they reach, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Kripa Foundation (Northeast)
Kripa Foundation works on HIV/AIDS care and drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, with a presence across the Northeast — a region where these needs are pressing. Supporting people to recover from addiction and live with HIV is sensitive, life-saving work. For donors and CSR teams interested in health, addiction and HIV care, it is an experienced, compassionate partner. Ask whether it works in the region and how contributions are used, and confirm its registrations before funding.
Pratham (Northeast)
Pratham, one of India's largest education NGOs, works across India including the Northeast to help children master reading and basic arithmetic. Its widely cited learning assessments keep its work measurable. For CSR teams that want learning outcomes, Pratham is a reliable, well-governed partner. Ask whether it runs programmes in Nagaland and for any local learning data, and confirm its compliance before funding.
Smile Foundation (Northeast)
Smile Foundation is a national NGO running education, health and livelihood programmes across India, including the Northeast, with 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 whether it runs programmes in the state and for their results, and verify its registrations before giving.
Goonj (Northeast)
Goonj is a national organisation known for turning urban material into a resource for rural development and for major disaster relief, with work across the Northeast. It links everyday giving to dignity-based development rather than charity, valuable in remote hill areas. For donors and CSR teams interested in rural development and disaster response, Goonj has a strong record. Ask about its work in the region and how contributions are used, and confirm its registrations before giving.
SOS Children's Villages (Northeast)
SOS Children's Villages provides family-based care, education and a stable home for orphaned and abandoned children, with programmes in the Northeast. 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 its nearest programmes serving children from the state and their outcomes, and confirm its registrations before giving.
HelpAge India (Nagaland)
HelpAge India works for the care, health and dignity of older people, running mobile healthcare, helplines and support programmes across India including the Northeast. 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 programmes serving the state and the elders it reaches, and confirm its compliance before funding.
Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children)
Bal Raksha Bharat runs child-welfare programmes across India, including the Northeast, on education, health and nutrition and child protection. As the Indian arm of a well-known global child-rights organisation, it brings strong systems and reporting. For donors and CSR teams focused on children, it is a dependable partner with measurable projects. Ask whether it runs programmes in the state and the children reached, and confirm its registrations before funding.
How to verify any NGO before you donate in Kohima
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.
Kohima's NGOs carry the Naga spirit of community — empowering youth, mothers leading for peace, and care for the most vulnerable. Choose the cause that matters to you, run the checks above, and give with confidence — and elsewhere in Nagaland, see our guide to the top NGOs in Dimapur.
Find verified NGOs in Kohima 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.