# How to Find CSR Funders for Your NGO

> Start by mapping your programs to CSR categories, then research companies that spend in your sector and operating states using public disclosures and annual reports. Filter further by budget alignment, past project patterns, and implementation preferences to build a shortlist of likely funders. The most productive approach targets a small set of well-matched companies rather than sending generic proposals widely.

**URL:** https://sampoornaintelligence.com/insights/how-to-find-csr-funders
**Description:** A systematic methodology for researching and identifying CSR funders in India — using public records, CSR-eligible categories, geographic matching, and budget alignment.

## Summary

A systematic methodology for researching and identifying CSR funders in India — using public records, CSR-eligible categories, geographic matching, and budget alignment.

## Key sections

### Step 1: Understand CSR-Eligible Categories

CSR spending in India is governed by India's CSR law, which defines the broad categories under which companies can spend their CSR budgets. Understanding these categories is the foundation of funder research, because every CSR project must map to at least one eligible category.

### Step 2: Use Public Records to Find Companies in Your Sector

Public records contain companies' CSR spending details. This is the single most important research tool available to Indian NGOs, and most NGOs don't know it exists or don't know how to use it effectively.

### Step 3: Research Company CSR Policies and Past Projects

Once you've identified companies that fund your sector, go deeper. Most large companies publish their CSR policy on their website — usually under an "Investor Relations" or "Sustainability" or "CSR" section. This policy document tells you:

### Step 4: Geographic Matching

Geography is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors in CSR funder matching. The CSR law encourages companies to spend CSR funds in areas near their operations, particularly in "local areas" around their manufacturing facilities, offices, and project sites.

### Step 5: Budget Alignment

One of the most common mistakes NGOs make is approaching a company with a budget ask that's wildly out of range. A company that typically funds small projects will not approve a much larger proposal, no matter how good it is. Conversely, a company that writes large checks may not be interested in a small project because the administrative overhead isn't worth it.

### Step 6: Build Your Funder Shortlist

Now combine all the research into a structured shortlist. For each potential funder, create a profile with:

### What Most NGOs Get Wrong

The biggest mistake NGOs make is skipping the research phase entirely. They find a list of "top CSR companies" online and send the same proposal to all of them. This approach has a very low success rate, which means most proposals are wasted effort.

### Next Steps

Once you've built your shortlist, the next steps are:

## Related

- https://sampoornaintelligence.com/insights/
- https://sampoornaintelligence.com/insights/strategic-connection-not-outreach
- https://sampoornaintelligence.com/funding-intelligence