What Ken Foundation does

Ken Foundation is a Visakhapatnam-headquartered non-profit society (KEN Foundation Society) founded in 2009 by Santosh Pulletykurty, operating across four Indian cities — Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad — with a 9-person core team. The organization executes 840+ grassroots programs focused on six pillars: disaster relief, community development, differently-abled and sports, education and livelihood, environment and conservation, and women and girl child initiatives. Its portfolio includes concrete programs such as Disaster Relief Support, COVID-19 Relief, Ocean Guardians (underwater cleanups), Para Champions Programme, Sewing Nest (vocational training for women), Literacy for All (library program), Tribal Upliftment, and Blood Donation Camps, cumulatively reaching 223,800+ lives and training 12,000+ individuals in livelihood skills. The organization is funded through individual donations (online payment gateways only — no cash), corporate CSR partnerships (e.g., Tata International Sustainability Initiative), and grants; it holds Section 80G tax-exemption status for donors but is explicitly not FCRA registered, restricting inbound foreign donations. Distribution relies on grassroots volunteer networks and partner institutions including shelter homes, orphanages, the District Collector (Visakhapatnam), Municipal Corporation Health Departments, the US and Australian Navies, Andhra University, and IIM Vizag. The underlying operating model is human-led program execution with no proprietary technology stack, and revenue mechanics are donation- and CSR-dependent rather than commercial.

Name

Ken Foundation

Legal name

KEN Foundation Society

Website

https://kenfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ken Foundation is an Indian non-profit society founded in 2009 in Visakhapatnam that executes grassroots programs across disaster relief, women and child empowerment, education and livelihoods, ocean conservation, and para sports across four cities. It serves tribal communities, shelter homes, underprivileged women and children, fishermen, and differently-abled individuals, reaching 223,800+ lives through donation- and CSR-funded program delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Social Impact Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Grassroots social programs
• Disaster relief services
• Livelihood skill training
• Women empowerment programs
• Ocean conservation initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Visakhapatnam

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Ken Foundation operates as a non-profit funded primarily through donations from individuals and organizations. Donations are accepted through online payment gateways only (no cash donations). The organization is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, allowing donors to claim 50% tax deduction on contributions. Foreign donations are not accepted (not FCRA registered).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ken Foundation is a non-profit society that designs and delivers grassroots social-impact programs for underprivileged communities in India, with thematic pillars covering disaster relief, education and livelihood skill development, women and girl-child empowerment, youth development, para-sports support, and environmental and ocean conservation. Its core activities are organized around named, standalone programs (e.g., Disaster Relief Support, Sewing Nest, Para Champions Programme, Hunger Smiles, Ocean Guardians, Women Empowerment) delivered through field staff, volunteer networks, and partner organizations in Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Funding comes primarily from individual donations (eligible for 50% tax deduction under Section 80G), corporate CSR partnerships, and program-specific grants, with no FCRA registration.

Product overview

Ken Foundation is a non-profit organization offering a diverse portfolio of social impact programs rather than a unified technology product. The organization operates multiple distinct initiatives organized around six core focus areas: Calamity & Disaster Relief (Disaster Relief Support), Environment & Conservation (Cleanup Campaign, Ocean Guardians, Water Bowl Project), Differently Abled & Sports (Para Champions Programme), Education & Livelihood Programs (Educational Outreach, Literacy for All Library Program, Sewing Nest), Women & Girl Child Initiatives (Women Empowerment, Girl Child Program, Clothing for Dignity, Transcending Barriers, Empowerment on Wheels), and Community Development (Hunger Smiles, Kid's Outings, Winter Smiles, Paint a Smile, Blood Donation Camps, Joy of Giving, Supporting Vulnerable Communities, Empowerment Programs, Volunteering Efforts, Global Partnerships, Partnering for Polio Eradication, Tribal Upliftment Initiatives). These programs are implemented as standalone service offerings rather than an integrated platform, with cross-cutting CSR partnership opportunities for corporate engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Relief Support Immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation program delivering food, clean water, clothing, hygiene kits, and medical aid to disaster-affected communities, followed by rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and ensuring access to education and healthcare.
• Cleanup Campaign Environmental stewardship program organizing beach cleanups after Ganesh Visarjan and hill-waste removal after tourism events to clear harmful debris from marine and coastal habitats and promote eco-friendly celebrations.
• Ocean Guardians (Underwater Cleanup) Underwater cleanup initiative in which trained volunteer divers remove plastic, fishing gear, and debris from oceans to restore marine ecosystems and protect coral reefs.
• COVID-19 Relief Response Comprehensive pandemic relief delivering food supplies, PPE to frontline workers, and sanitation and hygiene kits to curb infection spread among vulnerable communities.
• Para Champions Programme Initiative empowering differently-abled athletes by providing an inclusive platform to compete with dignity, addressing their unique sporting needs and celebrating their stories of resilience.
• Paint a Smile Transforms living spaces in orphanages and shelter homes into bright, colorful sanctuaries through murals and artwork to spark imagination, ease anxiety, and remind children they are seen and valued.
• Water Bowl Project Distributes free water bowls in neighborhoods and parks to combat dehydration among birds and animals during hot summers.
• Winter Smiles Distributes warm blankets, woollen rugs, and winter clothing to destitute families and tribal communities in remote areas to provide protection from harsh winters.
• Educational Outreach Removes barriers to education by distributing school supply kits, raising family awareness, and creating supportive environments that nurture leadership, teamwork, and confidence among underprivileged children.
• Sewing Nest Equips underprivileged women with sewing and garment-making skills plus entrepreneurial training to build sustainable livelihoods in the apparel industry, promoting economic independence.
• Clothing for Dignity Provides clothing to marginalized individuals, especially women, treating clothing as essential to dignity, participation in society, and enabling access to education and employment.
• Hunger Smiles Delivers wholesome, nutritious meals to destitute and marginalized community members to address hunger and restore dignity, health, and hope.
• Women Empowerment Program Provides holistic approach combining education, communication skills, and vocational training to help women achieve self-reliance, financial independence, and break through social barriers.
• Tribal Upliftment Initiatives Empowers tribal communities including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups through skill development, livelihood opportunities, education, health awareness, and preserving their cultural identities.
• Supporting Vulnerable Communities (Expanding Horizons of Compassion) Expanding Horizons of Compassion initiative extending essential support to shelter homes, orphanages, and isolated individuals lacking basic necessities like groceries and hygiene supplies.
• Blood Donation Camps Partners with government hospital blood banks to collect blood donations that save lives of infants, destitute individuals, and Thalassemia patients from financially struggling families.
• Girl Child Program (Girls' Education Initiative) Girls' Education Initiative providing school supply kits, guidance, and encouragement to underprivileged girls to complete schooling and break the cycle of poverty.
• Transcending Barriers (Transgender Inclusion Initiative) Inclusive initiative supporting transgender community members through education access, holistic care, and opportunities for social and economic upliftment to achieve dignity and self-reliance.
• Empowerment on Wheels Transforms lives of destitute girls by teaching them to drive, providing mobility for independence and opening livelihood opportunities in the transportation sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• 840+ grassroots programs executed successfully
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tata International Sustainability InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint beach cleanup drive partnership for environmental sustainability. Combines corporate resources with grassroots execution for ocean conservation impact.
• US Navy (US and Australian Consulates)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity and cultural exchange programs with Navy sailors visiting Visakhapatnam. Includes children's programs, volunteer engagements, and international goodwill initiatives.
• Australian NavycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity service partnerships through Australian consulate, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and social development initiatives.
• Ocean CleanupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeeting and collaboration for underwater cleanup initiatives and marine conservation programs.
• Government Hospital Blood BankscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for blood donation camps ensuring collected units reach patients from financially struggling families, including Thalassemia patients.
• Andhra UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelf-defence awareness sessions conducted at the university for women's safety and empowerment.
• Martin Luther UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive sessions with social work students for education and awareness.
• IIM Vizag VatsalyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen empowerment initiative partnering with IIM Vizag for marginalized women development.
• Municipal Corporation Medical and Health DepartmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pulse Polio Immunization Program from 2012 to 2017, supporting polio eradication efforts.
• District Collector (Visakhapatnam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative distribution of life jackets to fishermen for safety during deep sea fishing operations.
• GeniSciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEADify program for cultivating creative thinkers and science education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pratham: One of India's largest NGOs focused on education and livelihood for underprivileged children; highly comparable as a direct grassroots service-delivery NGO accepting donations and CSR funding.
• Goonj: Large Indian grassroots NGO focused on community development, disaster relief, clothing distribution, and livelihood programs - directly comparable mission and operating model to Ken Foundation, but at significantly larger scale.
• CRY (Child Rights and You): India-based NGO focused on child rights, education, and underprivileged children's welfare, with a strong corporate partnership and donor-driven model very similar to Ken Foundation's women-and-children focus areas.
• Akshaya Patra Foundation: India's largest mid-day meal NGO with a multi-city operating footprint, strong CSR partnership engine, and 80G-registered donation model - directly comparable to Ken Foundation's scale and structure.
• Magic Bus India Foundation: Youth-focused Indian NGO delivering livelihood, education, and life-skills programs at the grassroots level; comparable in program design and CSR-partnership-led funding model.

Regional players

• GiveIndia: India's largest online donation platform that aggregates and routes individual donations to vetted NGOs including grassroots organizations like Ken Foundation - comparable as a funding ecosystem peer.
• Teach For India: Indian education-equity NGO working with underprivileged children and youth through fellowship and mentorship programs; comparable in education focus, CSR partnerships, and youth empowerment model.

Broad incumbents

• SOS Children's Villages India: International NGO operating across India with focus on orphaned and abandoned children; comparable in orphanage support programs, donor-driven funding, and multi-city operating model.
• Habitat for Humanity India: India arm of a global nonprofit focused on housing, disaster response, and community development; comparable in operating model, multi-city footprint, and donor/CSR partnership structure.
• Helpage India: Established Indian NGO operating across elder care, disaster relief, and community development with a multi-city footprint and donor-driven model - comparable in breadth and CSR orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ken_foundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClfciuCE81yT9p9sJdcRD2A
• Facebookfacebook.com/ken.foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/kenfoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ken Foundation