What Sehgal Foundation does

S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization established in 1999 and headquartered in Haryana, India. The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life of rural communities through community-led development, with operational coverage across 13 Indian states spanning northern, central, western, southern, and eastern India. It reaches more than 1 million people across 407 villages, with primary beneficiaries including rural households facing water scarcity, smallholder and marginal farmers, government-school students, and women in aspirational districts — segments that suffer from groundwater depletion, low agricultural productivity, inadequate school infrastructure, and limited last-mile access to government schemes.

The foundation's program portfolio is organized around six practice areas — Water Management, Agriculture Development, Transform Lives (school transformation), Local Participation and Sustainability, Outreach for Development, and Rural Research and Technology Innovation — supplemented by two proprietary technology products: JalKalp, a stainless-steel biosand water filter effective against pathogens, turbidity, iron, manganese, and arsenic; and MatiKalp, a low-cost ceramic pot filter producible locally in villages. Implementation infrastructure includes 65 check dams, 42 rejuvenated ponds, 183 recharge wells (each returning more than 1.5 million liters of rainwater per year), 1,850 soak pits, 163 soak wells, and 83 common rainwater storage structures. Education programming extends to Project Umeed (15 solar-powered digital libraries serving ~4,000 children) and Participatory Rural Games, board-game-based tools for agriculture, health, nutrition, and leadership training.

As a 501(c)-equivalent Indian nonprofit, SMSF generates no commercial product revenue; it is funded through corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants and donations. The foundation maintains a portfolio of 40+ corporate CSR partners across FMCG (Nestle, Coca-Cola India Foundation, United Breweries, Pernod Ricard, Dabur), financial services (HDFC Bank, Bank of America, IndusInd, DCB Bank), agri-inputs (John Deere, Mosaic Company Foundation, K+S Fertilizers), e-commerce and tech (Walmart Foundation, Flipkart Foundation, NVIDIA, Publicis Sapient, Publicis Groupe), professional services (Oliver Wyman, Mercer, EY Foundation), manufacturing (Whirlpool, Kohler, Godrej & Boyce), and capacity-building partners (CAWST Canada). Programs are delivered through direct field teams and in collaboration with government schemes including Jal Jeevan Mission and MGNREGA under a quadripartite government–CSR–NGO–community model. Awareness is generated through the foundation's knowledge center, podcast (SMSF Connect), community radio (CR Connect FM 107.8), and the DIALOGUE online platform for researchers and policymakers.

Name

Sehgal Foundation

Legal name

S M Sehgal Foundation

Website

https://smsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

S M Sehgal Foundation is an India-based nonprofit that improves rural livelihoods across 13 states through programs in water management, agriculture development, school transformation, and community governance, funded by corporate CSR partnerships and reaching over 1 million people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Development Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD)

Keywords

• Rural development services
• Water management programs
• Agriculture development
• Community education programs
• CSR implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Haryana

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

S M Sehgal Foundation is a nonprofit rural development organization that designs and implements community-led programs in water management, agriculture development, school transformation, local participation, outreach, and rural research across 13 Indian states. The foundation works in a quadripartite model with corporate CSR funders, government departments, and rural communities to deliver field-based interventions such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, sustainable farming, digital literacy, and community governance. It also develops and disseminates low-cost proprietary products such as the JalKalp biosand filter and MatiKalp ceramic pot filter for safe drinking water.

Product overview

S M Sehgal Foundation is a rural development NGO offering multiple interconnected programs focused on water management, agriculture development, education transformation, and community participation. The core product portfolio includes JalKalp and MatiKalp water filters (sustainable drinking water solutions), the Water Management Program (rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge), Agriculture Development Program (farmer capacity building), Transform Lives school transformation program, Local Participation and Sustainability initiatives, Outreach for Development, Rural Research and Technology Innovation, Project Umeed digital libraries, and Participatory Rural Games for community education. These programs work together to address water security, agricultural productivity, education quality, and community empowerment across rural India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JalKalp Biosand Water Filter Sustainable stainless steel biosand filter that delivers clean drinkable water without recurring maintenance or electric power; effective against E. coli, total coliforms, parasites, microbes, and worms, and addresses turbidity, iron, manganese, and arsenic contamination. Designed for rural households and communities lacking reliable drinking water infrastructure.
• MatiKalp Ceramic Pot Filter Low-cost, locally resource-based ceramic pot filter that can be produced in villages; addresses pathogens, turbidity, iron, and manganese, with ongoing innovation for arsenic removal. Targeted at rural households and communities as an affordable safe-water solution.
• Water Management Program Works with rural communities to harvest and store rainwater, replenish groundwater by building and restoring village water infrastructure (check dams, recharge wells, soak pits, ponds), and manage wastewater safely. Delivered for rural villages and supported through CSR-funded projects.
• Agriculture Development Program Builds the capacities of smallholder farmers and women producers on improved agricultural practices, water-efficient techniques, and new technologies to promote sustainable rural livelihoods. Targeted at small and marginal farmers across rural India.
• Transform Lives (School Transformation) Program Provides rural schoolchildren with access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, a safe learning environment, and digital and life-skills awareness training. Designed for government schools in rural and underserved districts.
• Local Participation and Sustainability Program Creates awareness among communities about the value of participating in local institutions and improving last-mile delivery of government programs. Targeted at rural residents and panchayati raj institutions.
• Outreach for Development Program Facilitates participation and positive social change in rural communities by creating awareness and sharing knowledge through community radio, podcasts, publications, and multimedia. Targeted at rural audiences and development practitioners.
• Rural Research and Technology Innovation Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Recharge well sends more than 1.5 million liters of rainwater back into the ground each year
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nestle India LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Vriddhi and Virddhi projects in Nuh, Haryana and Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh focused on rural development including water conservation and community development.
• Coca-Cola India FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Jaldhara - water stewardship initiative in rural Maharashtra across 10 villages in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar; also WASH initiatives in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh; and Gurugram WASH in School program.
• HDFC Bank LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParivartan project in Nuh and Mahendragarh, Haryana; Uttarakhand (Champawat and Nainital); and Mathura and Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh; HRDP Parivartan Telangana.
• Walmart FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrop Residue Management project in Kaithal and Kurukshetra, Haryana; FPO support in Bijapur, Karnataka and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
• United Breweries LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Jal Samridhi in Googal Kota, Rajasthan; Water Conservation Projects in Alwar, Rajasthan; Neer Samriddhi in Punjab; Jal Sanchay in Karnataka.
• The Mosaic Company FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrishi Jyoti project supporting agriculture development and nutrition awareness in Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• John Deere India Pvt LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated Village Development Project (IVDP) in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh; LISA Project in Muzaffarnagar and Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh.
• First American (India) Pvt LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool Transformation in Telangana and Rural Transformation Watershed Development at Kolar, Karnataka.
• Pernod Ricard India FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGram Utthan and Jal Sanchay in Rajasthan; Gram Utkarsh in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh; Jal Kranti in Karnataka.
• CAWST, CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining & Capacity Building on Safe Drinking Water across India; capacity building workshops on WASH topics.
• Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation Projects in Bijapur, Karnataka and Kheda, Gujarat.
• BMW India FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater For Future project in Nuh and Gurugram, Haryana.
• Ashland Speciality Ingredients G.PminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Guar Project in Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.
• DaburminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation Project in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.
• The Coca-Cola FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Access to Water project in Hyderabad, Telangana; WASH Project in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
• EY Foundation IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJal Kushal water conservation project in Alwar, Rajasthan.
• Bank of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJal Kushal water conservation project in Alwar, Rajasthan.
• Honasa Consumers LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding Access to Clean Water Through Matikalp project in Samastipur, Bihar.
• Global Water ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASH in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) Phase II in Maharashtra.
• IDHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia Climate Resilient Landscape (ICRL) Program in Chikamanglur, Karnataka.
• HCCB (Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation Project in Medak, Telangana.
• Flipkart FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFostering a Green Future project empowering children and youth with eco-consciousness in Kaithal and Kurukshetra, Haryana.
• IndusInd Bank LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation Project in Jhajjar and Bhiwani, Haryana.
• Canpack India Private LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGram Unnayan I & II project in Nuh, Haryana.
• DCB BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJalagam 2.0 projects in Bikaner, Rajasthan and Indore, Madhya Pradesh; Jal Sanrakshan III in Medak, Telangana.
• Publicis SapientminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGram Uday 8 project in Nuh, Haryana.
• Publicis Groupe EntitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrishi Samriddhi IV project in Nuh, Haryana.
• KohlerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASH in School project in Nuh, Haryana.
• Mercer Consulting India Pvt LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation and School Transformation Project in Nuh, Haryana.
• Oliver Wyman Pvt. Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBright Futures project transforming schools with sustainable energy and safe spaces in Nuh, Haryana.
• Costa CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASH in School_Gurugram project.
• Whirlpool of IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRooftop Rainwater Harvesting system in four government schools in Ballabgarh, Faridabad.
• Balance HerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation and School Transformation Project in Nuh, Haryana.
• Jhajjar Power Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGram Vikas project in Jhajjar, Haryana.
• Godrej & BoyceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParyavaran Samruddhi project in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab.
• K+S FertilizersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnnat Krishi project in Kotputli-Behror and Alwar, Rajasthan.
• NVIDIA Graphics Pvt LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Conservation in Kolar, Karnataka.
• Caspian FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm Pond Development in Medchal Malkahgiri, Telangana.
• Crossing BordersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen Empowerment in Local Development project in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
• Trees for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Umeed bringing digital libraries to rural schools.
• Guru Krupa FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Umeed bringing digital libraries to rural schools.
• India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Umeed bringing digital libraries to rural schools.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dalmia Bharat Foundation: CSR arm implementing rural water, sanitation, education and livelihood programs in Indian states. Peer in the corporate-CSR rural development space.
• Mahindra Foundation: CSR arm running rural development, water security, education and farmer-focused programs in India. Direct peer in Esops-style CSR delivery for water and agriculture.
• Wipro Foundation: CSR arm executing water, agriculture, education and community programs in rural India; well-suited as a peer given overlapping rural focus and CSR funding model.
• Tata Trusts: India's largest philanthropic foundation, funding rural water, agriculture, health and education programs at multi-state scale. Directly comparable as a high-trust implementation/funding partner for India CSR programs.
• Reliance Foundation: Corporate-affiliated foundation running rural transformation, water security, agriculture, and education programs across India. Overlapping focus areas (water stewardship, school transformation, farmer livelihoods) and similar CSR-funded operating model.
• HCL Foundation: Corporate CSR foundation running rural development, water and education programs across multiple Indian states. Directly comparable multi-state rural development footprint.
• Ambuja Cement Foundation: Corporate CSR foundation focused on water conservation, agriculture, and community development around plant locations in rural India. Strong overlap with Sehgal Foundation's water-and-agriculture program mix.
• Adani Foundation: Corporate CSR foundation of the Adani Group implementing water conservation, agriculture, education and community development across multiple Indian states — directly comparable program portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Infosys Foundation: Long-established corporate foundation funding rural development, education, healthcare and sanitation across India. Comparable as a CSR grantmaker/implementer, with a broader portfolio beyond rural water and agriculture.

Regional players

• WaterAid India: Specialist international NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene in India. Comparable as a mission-aligned water/WASH operator, though with global rather than corporate-CSR funding base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sehgalfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMSFPage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sehgal Foundation