The belief that shaped gROW
Turning crisis into opportunity for change.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19, grassroots NGOs stepped up as first responders.
They delivered food, enabled vaccinations and supported vulnerable communities, often at the cost of their own survival.
With depleted resources and mounting pressures, many struggled to pay their staff or keep the lights on.
EdelGive Foundation, along with a coalition of other funders and sector leaders, recognised a hard truth.
Philanthropy needs to evolve from funding only programmes to investing in organisational resilience.
So in 2021, the GROW Fund was born
GROW became a first-of-its-kind collaborative fund designed to strengthen 100 grassroots NGOs across India.
Its support focused on three pillars.
such as salaries, rent
and essential overheads
that keep organisations running.
skills in finance, technology, HR and leadership.
within systems to sustain long-term impact.
Here’s what
we saw
By the end of the two years, the NGOs were planning for the future with confidence, updating strategies, and investing in second-line leadership.
They began hiring strategically, upgrading technology, and building financial reserves.
At first, NGOs invested in basics like repairing toilets, buying furniture, paying overdue salaries. But within months, the story shifted.
The impact was validating
We learned that when given trust, flexible funding and the right tools, grassroots NGOs don’t just survive, they thrive.
They become resilient leaders and powerful changemakers for their communities.
₹147.9 Cr
mobilized in additional funding
93%
strengthened leadership pipelines
86%
achieved organisational growth
37%
built financial reserves
The pillars that made it possible
A structured programme providing NGOs with skills-based support to strengthen resilience and future readiness.
Regular check-ins, peer engagement and access to learning resources helped NGOs track progress and build capacity across key operational areas.
Curated training and resources strengthened operational and strategic capabilities.
Sessions, delivered by expert agencies, focused on finance, HR and technology which were critical areas identified through careful analysis.
These were delivered by expert agencies to address gaps and support holistic organisational growth.
A digital learning platform offering resources, toolkits, courses and sessions recordings, tailored to the needs of participating NGOs
It enables continuous learning and knowledge-sharing across peers.
The success of GROW proved the case for a new way forward, a collaborative model that invests in nonprofits at their foundation.
GROW+ builds on this momentum, helping organisations not only withstand shocks, but also lead community-driven solutions for today’s climate challenges.
From support to success
With GROW’s guidance and support, NGOs are building stronger teams, growing their skills and making a bigger difference in the communities they serve.
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Nurturing Aasraa Trust’s Mission with the GROW Fund support
Nurturing Aasraa Trust’s Mission with the GROW Fund support
Aasraa Trust works to uplift underserved children and youth in Uttarakhand through education and skills training. Like many growing NGOs, they faced challenges around workforce development and technological infrastructure. A valued supporter recommended The GROW Fund, and the partnership began.
“Working with The GROW Fund has been an unparalleled experience,” says Amit Balodi, CEO. “The workshops, training sessions, and feedback were invaluable learning opportunities.”
With the fund’s support, Aasraa was able to streamline processes and create key roles, including an Advocacy Manager who helped renew an important MOU with the Maharashtra state government. They adopted TYASuite software, which improved operations, transparency, and efficiency in procurement processes. At the same time, initiatives focused on organisational culture boosted employee satisfaction, reduced turnover and created a more motivated team.
“The most crucial area where we aimed to bring about change was streamlining our processes,” noted the team. Capacity-building initiatives have fostered a culture of learning, enhanced teamwork, and led to a more organised approach across departments.
The GROW Fund also helped Aasraa strengthen its brand through a website revamp to help them boost their visibility and communication. With this backing, the organisation is now preparing to expand to 120 Night Schools and 100 Evening Learning Centers across India, reaching 10,000 students. The fund has also contributed to Aasraa’s recognition through prestigious awards, highlighting the success and impact of its work.
The GROW Fund has been essential in addressing Aasraa Trust’s operational challenges, enhancing internal processes, and fostering valuable collaborations. As Aasraa continues to drive transformative change, the support from the GROW Fund remains a cornerstone of its success, empowering the organisation to make a lasting impact in the communities it serves.
Strengthening Badlao Foundation’s Capacity Through Partnership
Strengthening Badlao Foundation’s Capacity Through Partnership
Badlao Foundation, a grassroots organisation dedicated to improving the lives of tribal communities, forest dwellers, women, and children in Jharkhand, has always been committed to realizing its vision of providing a better quality of life through inclusive social and infrastructure development. Their mission, focused on empowering communities through Gram Sabhas, traditional community organisations, and women-based groups, faced significant challenges, particularly during the pandemic. The organisation recognised the need for robust organisational support to continue its impactful work and saw the GROW Fund as a beacon of hope.
The GROW Fund was identified as an essential resource for strengthening Badlao Foundation's core capacities, particularly in becoming a model training institution for Panchayati RajInstitution (PRI) training in the Santhal Pargana region. The Foundation aimed to enhance its outreach, increase deliverables to society, and modernise its operations through new technology, tools, and manpower. This ambitious plan included a comprehensive professional restructuring and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various operational aspects, such as MIS & Communication, Reporting & Documentation, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Organisational Branding.
With the GROW Fund's support, Badlao Foundation focused on several critical areas: internal team capacity building, particularly in fundraising and project proposal writing; leadership and management training; and improving the organisation's financial health. The Foundation also strengthened its HR, Finance, and Communication, Programme, and MIS departments. By addressing these areas, the Foundation saw significant improvements in technology adoption, fundraising capabilities, and strategic planning.
The impact of these efforts was profound. Badlao Foundation expanded its operations, secured new projects, improved its networking, and enhanced its digital presence, including a redesigned website. The organisation's functioning became more efficient, and the staff's skills were significantly enhanced through regular training and capacity-building programmes. The community empowerment efforts also saw positive changes, indicating a broader impact across all levels.
Reflecting on their journey, Badlao Foundation acknowledges the importance of self-evaluation, which helped them identify areas of improvement. By focusing on technology, fundraising, and strategic planning, the organisation made substantial progress, setting a strong foundation for future growth. They plan to continue their development by seeking support from expert consultants for strategy development, risk mitigation, and staff training.
Badlao Foundation's collaboration with the GROW Fund has been instrumental in enabling the organisation to overcome challenges, scale its operations, and improve programme implementation. Their journey over the past two years, marked by significant organisational development, is a testament to the power of targeted support and continuous learning. As they look ahead, Badlao Foundation remains committed to their mission and is eager to further expand their impact in Jharkhand and beyond, serving Tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with renewed vigor and dedication.
Empowering Change Through Collective Action at Shohratgarh Environmental Society (Lucknow)
Empowering Change Through Collective Action at Shohratgarh Environmental Society (Lucknow)
In the non-profit sector, leadership is a journey of resilience and commitment, focused on making a meaningful difference every day. Sandeep Srivastava, reflecting on his organisation's participation in a transformative programme, emphasizes the power of collective action in achieving lasting change. Their participation in the programme reinforced their belief in collective action and its pivotal role in non-profit leadership. It provided them with essential tools to amplify their efforts, especially in resource-constrained environments, strengthening their resolve to foster amore equitable society.
Through strategic improvements, the organisation has streamlined operations and enhanced team collaboration, resulting in reduced project turnaround times and increased overall efficiency.
A comprehensive Theory of Change has been developed to guide interventions, ensuring sustainability and maximising impact across diverse community needs. There is a steadfast commitment to achieving complete digital transformation, integrating advanced technology to enhance operational efficiency, support data-driven decision-making, and broaden community engagement on a global scale.
Through participation in the programme, the organisation has embraced resilience and collective action as core principles of effective non-profit leadership. This journey has not only refined internal operations but also empowered the organisation to expand its impact and drive positive change in communities worldwide. As the organisation continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to advancing its mission with determination and purpose, guided by the belief that unified effort can achieve a more just and equitable society.
