There is no single best tool. Databases answer who spent CSR money where. Intelligence platforms answer who you should pursue next and how. Consultants answer who will take your call. Mature teams combine all three.
Option 1 — Public CSR filings (free)
Best for verifying a known company's CSR spend. Limits: no NGO-specific matching, manual synthesis across companies and years.
Option 2 — CSR database products
Best for company lookup, sector/state filters, and exports. Limits: raw lists without pursuit strategy; contact quality varies.
Option 3 — Funder intelligence platforms (e.g. Sampoorna)
Best for researched shortlists, per-funder briefs, grant sizing, corridors, warm paths, and team pipeline. Pricing: ₹59,999/year with 14-day trial for qualified NGOs.
Option 4 — Fundraising consultants
Best for high-touch campaigns and board introductions. Limits: retainer cost; knowledge may leave when the engagement ends.
Decision matrix
| Need | Start with |
|---|---|
| Is Company X funding education in Maharashtra? | Public filings or database |
| Who should we pursue in Q3 with ₹25L–₹1Cr asks? | Intelligence platform |
| We need one anchor funder for a capital campaign | Consultant + platform research |
| New fundraiser onboarding | Platform briefs + database exports |