Swades Foundation
Swades Foundation is a Mumbai-based nonprofit that runs integrated rural development programs—water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihoods—across 5 districts in Maharashtra, reaching 1.1 million people and impacting 600,000+ lives through its 4E and 6S Dream Village frameworks.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Swades Foundation does
Swades Foundation is a private nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala, headquartered in Mumbai, India. It executes integrated rural development programs across 5 districts and 17 blocks in Maharashtra, reaching over 1.1 million people and positively impacting 600,000+ lives through interventions in water and sanitation, health, education, and economic development. Its operational methodology rests on two proprietary frameworks: the 4E Model (Engage, Empower, Execute, Exit) for community-driven sustainability and the 6S Dream Village framework (Swacch-Clean, Sundar-Beautiful, Swasth-Healthy, Sakshar-Literate, Samruddh-Prosper, Shristi-Climate) that defines measurable village-level transformation criteria. Implementation is delivered through 1,360+ Village Development Committees, 1,417 Self-Help Groups, and 12,500+ trained community volunteers, with sub-brands including Swadhin (women entrepreneurs marketplace), Gyan Mitra (community trainers), and Mass/Excellence Scholarship programs.
The foundation's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit structure diversified across individual donations (fixed denominations of ₹500–₹5,000 with 80G tax exemption), corporate CSR partnerships (including a ₹5.5 crore Oracle grant), a Letter of Intent with the Government of Maharashtra to co-create 1,000 Dream Villages, and capital raised through the NSE Social Stock Exchange's Zero Coupon Zero Principal instrument (₹100 million raised in 2024). Compliance posture includes FCRA registration for foreign contributions and SEBI-regulated listing on the Social Stock Exchange. The stated objective is lifting one million rural Indians out of poverty every five years; reported economic impact is ₹1,260 million added to annual GDP through livelihood initiatives, though this represents community-level economic uplift rather than organizational revenue.
Swades Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Swades Foundation
- Legal name
- Swades Foundation
- Website
- https://swadesfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Swades Foundation is a Mumbai-based nonprofit that runs integrated rural development programs—water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihoods—across 5 districts in Maharashtra, reaching 1.1 million people and impacting 600,000+ lives through its 4E and 6S Dream Village frameworks.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Swades Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Development Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO), Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)
Keywords
Where Swades Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
Swades Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual supporters through the organization's donation portal, with tax exemption under 80G
- Social Stock Exchange (ZCZP): Zero Coupon Zero Principal instrument listed on NSE Social Stock Exchange, regulated by SEBI. Raised INR 100 million in 2024
- Corporate CSR Partnerships: Corporate social responsibility funding from companies aligned with specific thematic development or village cluster development initiatives
- Oracle/Swades Foundation Programme: ₹5.5 crore grant from Oracle for rural livelihoods programme supporting women farmers in Maharashtra
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Fixed denomination donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Swades Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Swades Foundation is a non-profit rural development organization that implements integrated community programs in water and sanitation, primary healthcare, education, and economic development across rural Maharashtra. Its flagship Swades Dream Village initiative uses a proprietary 6S framework (Swacch, Sundar, Swasth, Sakshar, Samruddh, Shristi) and a 4E Model (Engage, Empower, Execute, Exit) to lift rural households out of poverty. The organization works through Village Development Committees, Self Help Groups, and certified community trainers to deliver measurable livelihood and social outcomes.
Product overview
Swades Foundation operates as a rural development NGO with a multi-pronged programmatic approach rather than a single unified technology product. Its core offerings include the Swades Dream Village program (village transformation using the 6S framework), Water & Sanitation, Health, Education, and Economic Development programs. These are complemented by sub-brands like Swadhin (women entrepreneurs marketplace), Gyan Mitra (community trainer network), Mass and Excellence Scholarships, and the NSE Social Stock Exchange fundraising platform. The organization does not offer a software product, API, or AI-powered technology platform—the offerings are social impact programs focused on grassroots rural development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dream Village: A comprehensive community-driven rural development model embodying six qualities: Swacch (Clean), Sundar (Beautiful), Swasth (Healthy), Sakshar (Literate), Samruddh (Prosper), and Shristi (Climate-conscious).
- Swadhin
Products and services
- Swades Dream Village Holistic village transformation program applying the 6S framework (Swacch-Clean, Sundar-Beautiful, Swasth-Healthy, Sakshar-Literate, Samruddh-Prosperous, Shristi-Climate-conscious) to deliver water access, sanitation, primary healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities to rural households in Maharashtra.
- Water and Sanitation Program Rural water access and sanitation program providing 763+ drinking water schemes, 35,000+ individual household toilets, WASH facilities in 390+ schools, and open-defecation-free certification for 1,503+ hamlets, targeting underserved rural communities in Maharashtra.
- Health Program Primary healthcare access program delivered through 2,700+ trained community health volunteers (Swades Mitras), Mobile Vision Care (415,000+ screenings, 22,000+ cataract surgeries), village health camps, and maternal-child health services for rural populations.
- Education Program Education support program providing school infrastructure (659+ libraries, solar infrastructure in 365+ schools), teacher training (4,500+ teachers), Mass Scholarship (grades XI-XII) and Excellence Scholarship (higher education), and the EduSkilling soft-skills training for college students.
- Economic Development Program Livelihood program covering On-Farm interventions (sustainable farming, drip irrigation, Safed Musali cultivation), Off-Farm interventions (dairy, goat rearing, poultry), and Non-Farm vocational skills training, aimed at enabling rural households to earn INR 2 lakhs+ annually through diversified income sources.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600,000+ lives positively impacted
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Swades Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Swades Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Swades Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.
- Australian Consulate-General in MumbaicoreAustralian Consulate-General in Mumbai, under its Direct Aid Programme, partnered with Swades Foundation to train young Nashik farmers as solar technicians. The skilling initiative transformed farm incomes from Rs 200/day to Rs 15,000-25,000 monthly as photovoltaic installers.
- OraclecoreOracle partnered with Swades Foundation for a ₹5.5 crore rural livelihoods programme in Maharashtra's Nashik and Raigad districts. The programme completed its first year supporting 900+ women farmers and entrepreneurs through sustainable farming, dairy management, and financial literacy training. Introduced Safed Musali cultivation to 525 women as a climate-resilient high-value crop.
- Government of MaharashtraflagshipSwades Foundation and Government of Maharashtra signed a Letter of Intent to co-create 1000 Swades Dream Villages across the state. The partnership was witnessed by Hon'ble Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This builds on the success of 75 villages in Raigad district recognized as Dream Villages.
- GTT FoundationsupportingGTT Foundation partners with Swades Foundation on the EduSkilling programme to deliver structured soft skills training to college students, bridging the gap between education and employment opportunities.
- NABFINScoreSwades Foundation signed MOU with NABFINS (NABARD Financial Services) to facilitate credit linkages for dairy operations, benefiting thousands of entrepreneurs by providing access to formal credit for livestock development.
- Tulsi Eye HospitalsupportingPartner hospital for the Mobile Vision Care programme, providing cataract surgeries and eye care services to underserved rural communities through Swades Foundation's health interventions.
- Swades Believers (60+ Organizations)supportingOver 60 organizations listed as believers/supporters of Swades Foundation including Marsh, HDFC, Honeywell, and various corporate partners who engage through volunteering and CSR initiatives.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Swades Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ambuja Foundation: Indian rural development foundation focused on water, agriculture, health, and skills in rural communities. Closely comparable to Swades in operating model (holistic community programmes, water security, farmer livelihoods) and target geography (rural India, including Maharashtra-adjacent states).
- S M Sehgal Foundation: Rural development NGO working on water management, agriculture, education, and women's empowerment across multiple Indian states. Comparable to Swades in operating verticals, donor-driven model, and outcomes measurement approach.
- Seva Mandir: Rajasthan-based rural development NGO running integrated programmes on education, health, water, and livelihoods with strong community-institution model. Closely comparable to Swades on community-driven, integrated rural development and SHG/VDC equivalent structures.
- BAIF Development Research Foundation: One of India's oldest rural development NGOs, focused on livestock, agriculture, watershed, and livelihoods. Highly comparable to Swades' Economic Development pillar and SHG/FPO model, with a longer but similarly community-driven operating model.
Broad incumbents
- Reliance Foundation: Corporate foundation of Reliance Industries running rural transformation, health, education, and women's empowerment programmes pan-India. Direct comparator to Swades on integrated rural development with WASH, health, education, and livelihoods pillars.
- Tata Trusts: India's largest philanthropic foundation, funding rural livelihoods, water, health, and education programmes across multiple states. Comparable to Swades in mission and integrated rural development approach, but with vastly larger capital base and a grant-making (not direct-implementation) model.
Emerging players
- Digital Green: Tech-enabled agricultural extension NGO working with smallholder farmers in India and globally. Comparable to Swades on farmer training and FPO strengthening, with a complementary technology-led delivery approach to community-driven models.
- Pratham Education Foundation: One of India's largest NGOs, primarily focused on education but with growing livelihoods and vocational skilling programmes. Comparable to Swades' education pillar (Mass/Excellence scholarships, EduSkilling) and CSR-funded model.
- WaterAid India: Specialist WASH NGO with significant Maharashtra presence, working on water, sanitation, and hygiene. Comparable to Swades' Water & Sanitation pillar and recognised with the 2018 Best Water NGO Award won by Swades in the same domain.
Regional players
- Solidaridad Network: International civil society organization running farmer livelihoods, climate-resilient agriculture, and supply chain programmes in India. Comparable to Swades' rural livelihoods work (Safed Musali, dairy, FPOs) and the Oracle-style corporate-CSR partnership model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Swades Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceSwades Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Swades Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Swades Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Swades Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Swades Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Swades Foundation
What does Swades Foundation do?
Swades Foundation is a non-profit rural development organization that implements integrated community programs in water and sanitation, primary healthcare, education, and economic development across rural Maharashtra. Its flagship Swades Dream Village initiative uses a proprietary 6S framework (Swacch, Sundar, Swasth, Sakshar, Samruddh, Shristi) and a 4E Model (Engage, Empower, Execute, Exit) to lift rural households out of poverty. The organization works through Village Development Committees, Self Help Groups, and certified community trainers to deliver measurable livelihood and social outcomes.
Is Swades Foundation a public or private company?
Swades Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Swades Foundation founded?
Swades Foundation was founded in 2012. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Swades Foundation based?
Swades Foundation is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Swades Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are social Stock Exchange (ZCZP), corporate CSR Partnerships and oracle/Swades Foundation Programme.
Who are Swades Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ambuja Foundation, S M Sehgal Foundation, Seva Mandir and BAIF Development Research Foundation. Broad incumbents are Reliance Foundation and Tata Trusts. Emerging players are Digital Green, Pratham Education Foundation and WaterAid India. Solidaridad Network is listed as a regional player.
Does Swades Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Swades Foundation.
What industry is Swades Foundation in?
Swades Foundation's product category is Rural Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAL, Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation. Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 8300.