Namma Bengaluru Foundation

What Namma Bengaluru Foundation does

Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) is a Section 80G-registered not-for-profit foundation founded in 2009 by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Its stated mission is to make Bengaluru a model city through Responsible Advocacy, Creative Partnership, and Constructive Activism, addressing urban governance failures, environmental degradation, digital inequity, and crisis relief. NBF operates a portfolio of civic programs rather than commercial products. Core programs include Bengaluru Fights Corona (COVID-19 relief delivering food, grocery and wellness kits, vaccination drives, and oxygen concentrators), Protect Namma Bengaluru (tree protection, water conservation, road safety), Digital Literacy Labs (computer classrooms in government schools in partnership with Paytm Foundation, Mitsubishi, and boAt), BRACE (a registered consortium of 1,400+ Resident Welfare Associations for collective advocacy), Save Our Lakes (Lokayukta petitions covering 23 lakes and NGT litigation), and Makkala Kere Habba (lake festivals). Founded litigation, policy advocacy, broad-based research, and community participation are its primary tools, with active Public Interest Litigations in the Supreme Court, High Court, and National Green Tribunal.

NBF's business model is a donation-funded non-profit; it sells no products or services and generates no commercial revenue. Cumulative donations raised total Rs 14,049,210 (approximately USD 168,000) since inception, with tax exemption under Section 80G. Funding sources include individual donors, corporate CSR partnerships, and community fundraising campaigns (Rs 10 lakh targets for Digital Literacy Labs, Tree Plantation, and Corpus Fund; Rs 5 lakh for Makkala Kere Habba; Rs 800 per family grocery kits). Operational scale is small: a team of 16 employees including 2 trustees (Rajeev Chandrasekhar and K Sanjay Prabhu), a General Manager (Vinod Jacob), and a Programmes and Resources Manager (Usha Dhanaraj), supported by 24,985 reported volunteers. Distribution relies on the BRACE RWA network, government school partnerships, BBMP collaboration, and grassroots community events across Bengaluru; operating geography is restricted to Karnataka with no international delivery capability. Disclosed reach metrics include 5,79,684 people impacted, partnerships with corporates such as Amazon, Morgan Stanley, HP India, and BMW, and government relationships with BBMP, Manipal Hospitals, and several civic coalitions. The foundation operates no proprietary technology; its digital footprint is a standard WordPress website, Facebook and Twitter social channels, a YouTube podcast, and a Kannada-language sub-site.

Name

Namma Bengaluru Foundation

Legal name

Namma Bengaluru Foundation

Website

https://namma-bengaluru.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Namma Bengaluru Foundation is a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit civic advocacy foundation operating programs in urban governance reform, environmental protection (lake and tree conservation), digital literacy in government schools, and COVID-19 relief, serving Bengaluru citizens, 1,400+ RWAs via BRACE, and vulnerable communities through donation-funded campaigns and corporate CSR partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Advocacy and Urban Governance Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Public Health Financing, Budgeting & Grants Management (HLAJAMAC)

Keywords

• Civic advocacy services
• Urban governance reform
• Community mobilization programs
• Environmental conservation campaigns
• Digital literacy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: NBF operates as a 100% not-for-profit foundation that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations. Donations are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G. The foundation conducts various fundraising campaigns for specific causes like Digital Literacy Labs, Tree Plantation, Makkala Kere Habba, and Corpus Fund.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Namma Bengaluru Foundation is a not-for-profit civic advocacy foundation that delivers community programs and policy advocacy for urban governance reform in Bengaluru. Its core activities span COVID-19 relief (food, grocery kits, vaccination drives, oxygen concentrators), environmental protection (lake conservation, tree protection, water conservation), digital literacy education in government schools, RWA mobilization through BRACE, and litigation-based governance advocacy via PILs, RTI filings, and policy submissions. Funding comes from individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, and grants.

Product overview

Namma Bengaluru Foundation is a not-for-profit organization operating a portfolio of civic programs rather than a commercial product platform. Its initiatives include: Bengaluru Fights Corona (COVID-19 relief with food, groceries, health camps, vaccination); Protect Namma Bengaluru (environmental campaigns for trees, water, road safety); Digital Literacy Labs (computer education in government schools via CSR partnerships); BRACE (RWA confederation of 1,400+ associations for governance advocacy); Makkala Kere Habba (lake festivals promoting community conservation); Save Our Lakes Campaign (legal and grassroots lake protection); Urban Governance Advocacy (policy reform, RTI, PILs); and the Namma Bengaluru Podcast and Awards. These programs work together to advance the foundation's mission of making Bengaluru a model city through responsible advocacy, creative partnership, and constructive activism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRACE: Bengaluru Residents' Associations Confederation Ensemble - A registered consortium of 1400 RWAs and citizens within Bengaluru, promoting citizen participation in governance.
• Kere Habba
• Makkala Kere Habba

Products and services

• Bengaluru Fights Corona COVID-19 relief initiative delivering food delivery drives, grocery kits, wellness and immunity kits, health camps, vaccination drives, mask-up awareness campaigns, and oxygen concentrator distribution to vulnerable citizens of Bengaluru.
• Protect Namma Bengaluru Environmental protection initiative covering save trees campaigns, water conservation, road safety, no honking campaigns, World Environment Day activities, and Save Earth campaigns for Bengaluru's citizens and environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,79,684 people impacted through various initiatives
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Morgan StanleyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2025NBF organized a Cleanathon at National Military Memorial Park on International Biodiversity Day in association with Morgan Stanley.
• Paytm FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2025Paytm Money, in collaboration with Paytm Foundation, established a Digital Classroom at Government Pre-University College, Yediyur, Bengaluru, as part of its CSR initiative. This initiative promotes interactive learning and integrates technology-driven education for students, designed by Namma Bengaluru Foundation.
• MitsubishicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2024Namma Bengaluru Foundation collaborated with Mitsubishi to launch a Computer Classes Program at Government Higher Primary School, Devarachikkanahalli on 10th December 2024. The program provided 143 students with hands-on training in digital literacy and software applications using 10 desktops.
• boAt LifestyleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2023NBF collaborated with boAt Lifestyle to launch the Skill 360 Program at Government PU College for Girls, Ramamurthynagara, empowering 51 students through digital learning with a 60-hour SkillUp360 course.
• HP IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2022NBF in association with HP organized a Cleanthon at Lalbagh Botanical Garden with over 300 HP employees taking the pledge to keep surroundings clean.
• BMW- Deutsche Motoren, WhitefieldminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2022NBF hosted a Cyclothon and Cleanthon with BMW- Deutsche Motoren to celebrate World Bicycle Day and World Environment Day.
• AVAS (Association for Voluntary Action and Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2021NBF partnered with AVAS for mega vaccination camps across 9 locations with more than 1500 beneficiaries. Also collaborated on grocery kit distribution and various COVID-19 relief drives.
• BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2021NBF was appointed as official partner by BBMP in the largest vaccination drive in Bengaluru. The drive enhances mobilization of beneficiaries and increases vaccination in BBMP limits. Also partnered for health camps and COVID-19 relief initiatives.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021NBF in association with Amazon distributed 10 oxygen concentrators to Medical Superintendent Dr Radhakrishna of Sir C V Raman General Hospital, Indiranagar for COVID-19 patients needing oxygen support.
• Jhatkaa.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBF partnered with Jhatkaa.org for online petition to prevent felling of 33,000 trees for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project. Successfully pushed for public consultation on BSRP.
• United Bengaluru Lake CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of lake groups, experts, and citizens led by NBF for lake protection and rejuvenation. Petitions filed at Lokayukta for 23 lakes.
• Manipal HospitalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBF organized multiple webinars with doctors from Manipal Hospitals on health topics including COVID-19, diabetes, heart health, and emergency response.
• Rotary E Club of Bangalore 3190minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Mega Women's Health Camp at Sudhamanagara for cervical cancer screening and women's health awareness.
• Bangalore Society of Obstetrics & GynaecologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for multiple Mega Women's Health Camps for BBMP school teachers and urban poor women.
• Desi MasalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood distribution partner during COVID-19 lockdown relief drive.
• JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerous donor and partner in COVID-19 food delivery drive.
• Atria FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate donor and supporter of COVID-19 relief initiatives.
• Satsang FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in COVID-19 food delivery and relief operations.
• Lions ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized mega tree plantation drive at Thippagondanahalli Lake Reservoir with 200+ volunteers planting 1000+ saplings.
• Project Vruksha FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner for Save Bannerghatta Campaign and other tree protection initiatives.
• Vimove FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for World Environment Day celebrations recognizing unsung heroes working towards sustainable development.
• Rotary EConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in water conservation campaigns including plogging and bird water feeder distribution at Doddanekundi lake.
• REWABEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting NBF initiatives and social justice causes.
• Europe Asia Business Connect (EABC), GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner expressing commendation for NBF's service-oriented work and organizational dedication.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• United Bengaluru Lake Campaign: Coalition of Bengaluru lake groups led by NBF for lake protection; a thematic partner/peer in the same lake-conservation ecosystem where NBF is the convener.
• India Climate Justice / Climate Reality India: Climate advocacy group working on environmental policy and grassroots action in India; overlaps with NBF's environmental programming, particularly around tree-saving and lake-conservation advocacy.
• Socratus Foundation: India-based civic think tank focused on urban governance and citizen rights; overlaps with NBF's policy-advocacy and governance-bill work, though narrower in operational scope.

Direct peers

• Praja Foundation: Mumbai-based non-profit working on urban governance transparency, civic data, and citizen participation; runs comparative civic indices analogous to NBF's BBMP reform and RTI-focused work, serving as a strong comparable in the Indian urban civic-advocacy space.
• Janaagraha: Bengaluru-based non-profit focused on urban governance reform and citizen participation in city infrastructure; directly comparable to NBF's BRACE-style mission of improving Bengaluru's civic systems and quality of life through advocacy and community organizing.
• Jhatkaa.org: India-focused civic advocacy organization running digital campaigns and petitions on environmental and governance issues; already a partner of NBF on tree protection and rail project petitions, making it a peer on citizen-driven campaigns and policy advocacy.
• ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment): Bengaluru-headquartered research and action NGO working on biodiversity conservation and environmental policy; directly comparable to NBF's Save Our Lakes Campaign and tree-protection initiatives, with stronger research orientation.

Others

• GiveIndia: India's largest philanthropic giving and grantmaking platform; relevant as an ecosystem peer enabling donation flows that NBF depends on, and as the infrastructure through which NBF could potentially scale its donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity India: Large non-profit delivering community development, housing, and disaster relief in India — comparable to NBF's COVID-19 relief and community-engagement work but at significantly larger scale and broader thematic scope.
• CPR (Centre for Policy Research): India's leading policy think tank engaging on urban governance, environment, and public policy; comparable to NBF's policy-advocacy arm but with a much broader research and policy portfolio at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Namma_Bengaluru
• YouTubenamma-bengaluru.org/category/namma-bengaluru-podcast
• Facebookfacebook.com/nammabengalurufoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/namma-bengaluru

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Namma Bengaluru Foundation