What Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation does

Sunset language rejThe Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (NSF) is a private, non-profit philanthropic foundation established in 2002 through an endowment from Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria, the founder of Ambuja Cements. Headquartered in Mumbai, India, and operating with 51-100 employees, NSF deploys grants, scholarships, fellowships, and capacity-building support across three programme verticals: Health (cancer care, tobacco control, and palliative care), Education (merit-based scholarships and institutional research grants from higher secondary through postgraduate levels), and Livelihood (rural development, water harvesting, and skill development through SEDI). The Foundation does not build or sell technology products; its primary "platform" is a network of more than 20 institutional partners — including Tata Memorial Hospital, IIT Bombay, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, BMJ, WHO, Salaam Bombay Foundation, Ambuja Foundation, and Deccan College — through which programmes are delivered.

The Foundation is funded through a family endowment and selects external contributions (notably FCRA-registered donations from Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Foundation, and Linkoping University). It distributes value at no cost to recipients — for example, undergraduate engineering scholarships (₹50,000-₹1,00,000), postgraduate repayable interest-free loans for studies at top global universities, and grants to NGOs implementing field programmes. LifeFirst, a tobacco cessation programme launched in 2012 with Salaam Bombay Foundation, is its flagship health initiative and has been formally recognised as a technical partner by India's National Tobacco Control Programme. The Foundation supports postgraduate scholars across 64 universities in 7 countries and has awarded 2,212 merit-based scholarships since 2005.

NSF's go-to-market is a grant-application and partnership model rather than a sales motion: it acquires partner NGOs and scholarship recipients via web portals (nsfoundation.co.in, pg.nsfoundation.co.in, engg.nsfoundation.co.in), institutional referrals, and direct outreach. Marketing channels are limited to owned digital properties, email communications, and research-based publications (Cancer Monograph 2017, Education Compendium 2019, 25+ LifeFirst research articles). The Foundation does not run paid advertising. Distributed beneficiary base spans 60,000+ cancer screenings, 25,000+ tobacco cessation users, 4.3 lakh+ stakeholders trained on tobacco-free schools, 6,000+ youth skilled with 85%+ employment outcomes, and 19,153+ families impacted through livelihood programmes.

Name

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation

Legal name

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation

Website

https://nsfoundation.co.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is a Mumbai-based, family-endowed philanthropic foundation (est. 2002) that funds health, education, and livelihood programmes across India through grants, scholarships, and fellowships delivered via 20+ institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Philanthropic foundation
• Education scholarships
• Cancer care grants
• Tobacco cessation
• Rural livelihood programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Operations (Endowment-Based): NSF was founded in 2002 through an endowment from Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria. The Foundation's operations are funded through this endowment and returns generated from it, distributed as grants, scholarships, and fellowships in health, education, and livelihood sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (NSF) is an Indian philanthropic foundation that provides grants, scholarships, fellowships, and capacity-building support across three focus areas: Health (cancer care, tobacco control, palliative care), Education (merit-based scholarships and fellowships for students at all levels), and Livelihood (rural development and skill development). The Foundation also delivers direct programmes such as the LifeFirst tobacco cessation counselling service and clinical fellowships for oncology training.

Product overview

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is a charitable foundation established in 2002 that supports initiatives across three core focus areas: Health (Cancer Care, Tobacco Control, Palliative Care), Education (Scholarships, Fellowships, Institutional Grants), and Livelihood (Rural Development, Skill Development). The foundation operates multiple distinct programmes including the PG Scholarship Programme and Undergraduate Engineering Scholarship Programme (which are standalone scholarship platforms), LifeFirst tobacco cessation counselling service, NGO Grants and Individual Awards for tobacco control, Clinical Fellowships for oncology training, and various publications and institutional grants. These programmes are unified by the foundation's mission to build capabilities and create sustainable impact across India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LifeFirst: A Tobacco Cessation Counselling service implemented in collaboration with Salaam Bombay Foundation, supporting individuals to quit tobacco through counselling support.

Products and services

• Post Graduate Scholarships Programme Interest-free loan scholarship programme for Indian students pursuing postgraduate courses at top institutions worldwide; includes mentoring process and access to a global scholar network.
• Undergraduate Engineering Scholarships Scholarship programme offering Excellence Awards of ₹1,00,000 and Certificates of Merit of ₹50,000 to outstanding fourth-year engineering students from listed colleges in Mumbai.
• Higher Secondary Awards Merit-based scholarships in partnership with BCPT for meritorious students from lower income groups pursuing higher secondary education (grades 11-12) and diploma courses; includes career mentoring and guidance.
• LifeFirst Tobacco Cessation Programme Tobacco cessation counselling service implemented in healthcare settings, workplaces and schools; includes training course for healthcare providers developed with Harvard School of Public Health and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
• NSF NGO Grants and Individual Awards (Tobacco-Free India) Annual awards to support NGOs working towards tobacco-free schools and individuals demonstrating leadership in tobacco control at district level in India.
• Clinical Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology Fellowship programme at Tata Memorial Hospital and HNCII for training young doctors in head and neck oncology under senior oncology specialists; over 120 head and neck surgeons and medical oncologists trained.
• Rural Development Programme Rural development projects supporting natural resource management, animal husbandry, agri-based livelihoods, water harvesting, and self-help groups through partner NGOs.
• Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) Vocational training institute in Chirawa, Rajasthan supported through Ambuja Foundation, providing skills training to youth and encouraging entrepreneurship.
• BMJ Online Palliative Care Course Online curriculum developed with BMJ (British Medical Journal) to sensitise healthcare professionals to essential palliative care services.
• N. R. Kamath Chair for Institutional Excellence at IIT Bombay Institutional grant allowing visiting professors from Harvard University and Cornell University to conduct lectures, workshops, and research at IIT Bombay.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000+ people screened for oral, breast and cervical cancer
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017NSF initiated the N. R. Kamath Chair for Institutional Excellence at IIT Bombay in 2017, with support from IIT Bombay alumni. This enables visiting professors from Harvard University and Cornell University to spend a semester at IIT Bombay conducting lectures, workshops, and research for students and faculty.
• Salaam Bombay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012NSF collaborates with Salaam Mumbai Foundation on LifeFirst, a Tobacco Cessation Counselling service initiated in 2012 and implemented in healthcare settings, workplaces, and schools. NSF also jointly instituted the Tobacco-Free India Grants and Awards with Salaam Mumbai Foundation since 2009-2010.
• Deccan College (Sanskrit and Lexicography Fellowship)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011NSF partners with Deccan College to offer MA and PhD fellowships in Sanskrit and Lexicography since 2011, supporting over 100 Fellows. The fellowships fund development of Sanskrit dictionaries crucial for studying history, culture, religion, and linguistics.
• Bombay Community Public Trust (BCPT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006NSF partners with BCPT for the Higher Secondary Awards programme, offering merit scholarships to students of lower income groups pursuing grades 11-12 and diploma courses. Over 400 scholarships awarded since 2006.
• Dana Farber Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Dana Farber Cancer Institute is a major donor to NSF, providing funding that enables the Foundation's health programmes. Donations received range from ₹14.2 lakh (FY 2020-21) to ₹1.99 crore (FY 2024-25), totalling several crores across multiple fiscal years. The partnership is a key revenue stream for NSF's health vertical.
• BMJ (British Medical Journal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF partnered with BMJ to develop an online curriculum sensitising healthcare professionals to essential palliative care services. Over 200 doctors, nurses, social workers and counsellors have enrolled in the course, of which 30% received scholarships from NSF. The course is hosted at educationindia.bmj.com.
• Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF has established a Clinical Fellowship programme at Tata Memorial Hospital for training young doctors in head and neck oncology. Over 120 head and neck surgeons and medical oncologists have been trained under senior oncology specialists. TMH is a key partner in NSF's cancer care vertical.
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — India Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF supports the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center (an office of Harvard Global Research Support Centre India), designed to facilitate strategic relationships and support research, training, and knowledge translation. Also collaborates with Harvard on LifeFirst programme development.
• Ambuja FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF supports Ambuja Foundation's rural development projects (natural resource management, agri-livelihoods, water harvesting) and the Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) in Chirawa, Rajasthan. Over 6,000 youth skilled through SEDI with 85%+ employment rate. Also supports Ambuja Manovikas Kendra for special children education.
• Ummeed Child Development Centre, MumbaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF supports Ummeed's Inclusion Fellowship Program (UIFP) aimed at creating Inclusion Champions who will work in schools to create an ecosystem where all children, including those with disabilities, can thrive.
• King George V Memorial TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF supports Fellowships for doctors in Non-Oncology Palliative Care at King George V Memorial Trust. The Fellowship programme trains Fellows in evidence-based assessments and treatments in palliative care management under expert guidance.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with WHO, NSF developed an Implementation Framework for National Palliative Care Plan. NSF also collaborates with WHO TDR for operational research training (Dr. Himanshu Gupte is a WHO TDR SORT IT trainer). LifeFirst is recognised as a technical partner by India's National Tobacco Control Programme.
• Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Head and Neck Cancer Institute of India (HNCII)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF has enabled the training of more than 120 head and neck surgeons and medical oncologists under guidance of senior oncology specialists, including through fellowships at this institute in Mumbai.
• Prince Aly Khan Hospital, MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF provided infrastructure and capacity building support for the oncology department and supported establishment of the palliative care department at Prince Aly Khan Hospital, Mumbai.
• Aravind Eye Care Systems (Madurai and Coimbatore)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF provided infrastructure support to Aravind Eye Care Systems for improving diagnosis and treatment facilities.
• Sankara Nethralaya, ChennaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF provided infrastructure support to Sankara Nethralaya for improving diagnosis and treatment facilities.
• L V Prasad Eye Care (Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF provided infrastructure support to L V Prasad Eye Care for improving diagnosis and treatment facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.
• Massachusetts General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts General Hospital partners with NSF on LifeFirst research activities, contributing to evidence-based implementation and documentation of the tobacco cessation programme.
• Institute of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute of Public Health collaborates with NSF on LifeFirst research activities for evidence-based tobacco cessation implementation.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Largest global health-focused philanthropic foundation, with significant tobacco-control, cancer-care, and global health grantmaking programmes. Comparable to NSF's health vertical at a vastly larger scale and as a reference point for evidence-based health grantmaking.

Direct peers

• Infosys Foundation: Corporate philanthropic foundation supporting education, healthcare, rural development, and arts across India. Comparable to NSF in its education and healthcare grantmaking emphasis and Indian non-profit operating model.
• Tata Trusts: India's largest philanthropic foundation, supporting initiatives across health, education, livelihood, and rural development through grants and capacity building. Directly comparable to NSF as a multi-sectoral Indian grantmaking foundation, though at substantially larger scale.
• Reliance Foundation: Corporate philanthropic foundation supporting health, education, rural development, and livelihood programmes across India. Comparable to NSF's multi-vertical grantmaking model and pan-India ambition, though operating at meaningfully larger scale.
• Aditya Birla Foundation: Indian philanthropic foundation supporting education, healthcare, and rural livelihoods. Closely comparable to NSF in family-endowed multi-sector grantmaking and health-education focus.
• HCL Foundation: Indian corporate philanthropic foundation operating programmes in education, livelihood, health, and environment. Comparable to NSF in operating model (programme-led, multi-sectoral) and Indian context.
• Wipro Foundation: Corporate philanthropic foundation focused on education, healthcare, and livelihood programmes in India. Comparable to NSF in structure and Indian multi-sectoral grantmaking, though with stronger education emphasis.
• Azim Premji Foundation: India-focused philanthropic foundation with a strong education vertical and integrated livelihood/skills programmes, funded through an endowment from the Wipro founder. Closely comparable to NSF in structure (endowment-funded), multi-sectoral focus, and emphasis on capacity building.
• Salaam Bombay Foundation: Mumbai-based NGO focused on youth health (tobacco cessation), education, and livelihood, co-founded by Padmini Sekhsaria. NSF's joint operator on LifeFirst and Tobacco-Free India Awards, making it the closest implementation partner and direct peer in tobacco control.
• Ambuja Foundation: Indian philanthropic foundation run by the Sekhsaria family, focused on rural development, water harvesting, agri-livelihoods, and education. NSF's livelihood and rural-development programmes are implemented largely through Ambuja Foundation, making it the closest operational peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nsscholarship
• Facebookfacebook.com/narotamsekhsariafoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/narotam-sekhsaria-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation