OUR SHOULDERS FOUNDATION

What OUR SHOULDERS FOUNDATION does

Our Shoulders Foundation is a Chennai-based non-profit charitable organization founded in 2016 (Reg. No. 1/2016/BK4) that delivers social impact programs to underprivileged communities across Tamil Nadu, India. Operating with a small core team of 6 employees, the foundation runs six program verticals: Technical Skill Training (delivered through a Grow with Google partnership with Coursera and NASSCOM Foundation across 16 colleges, covering digital marketing, data analytics, IT support, UX design, and project management), Vocational Training (bakery, hospitality, RO water installation, electrical and plumbing), Community Development (entrepreneur training, urban slum initiatives, RWA training, social cause events), Health and Sanitation (WASH projects, COVID-19 relief, de-addiction awareness, FRIENDS of 108 emergency response), Environment Sustainability (water body revival with CII, afforestation including a Guinness World Record-affiliated effort with Sathyabama University), and Farmers Support (seeds, tools, and modern techniques for rural farming families in Tiruvallur District).

The foundation does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its "core technology" is the consumption of Coursera-hosted Grow with Google course content delivered through a 16-college consortium, supplemented by on-ground program delivery at community sites. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. The organization is funded entirely through a combination of individual donations (accepted via UPI at ourshoulders@upi), corporate CSR contributions, and grants, with Malladi Drugs named as a disclosed CSR partner. The foundation holds Section 12A and Section 80G tax exemptions plus CSR-1 registration, enabling donor tax deductions and corporate CSR eligibility. Strategic partners include Google, Coursera, NASSCOM Foundation, Sathyabama University, CII, Greater Chennai Corporation, and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.

Name

OUR SHOULDERS FOUNDATION

Legal name

Our Shoulders Foundation

Website

https://ourshoulders.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Our Shoulders Foundation is a Chennai-based non-profit (founded 2016) delivering free technical skills training, vocational programs, health, environmental, and agricultural support to underprivileged communities across Tamil Nadu, funded through donations, CSR, and grants via partnerships with Google, Coursera, NASSCOM, and government bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Community Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC), WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Vocational skills training
• Community development programs
• Technical education initiatives
• Health sanitation programs
• Environmental conservation projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The foundation accepts donations through UPI payments (ourshoulders@upi), program-specific support, and general contributions. Donors can direct funds to specific programs including Technical Skill Training, Vocational Training, Health & Sanitation, Community Development, Environment, and Farmers programs.
2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funding: Corporate CSR partnerships including Malladi Drugs (Play Area Construction in Kuthambakkam Village) and collaborations with Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board for resettlement area support.
3. Program Service Revenue: Training programs and skill development services delivered in partnership with educational institutions and government bodies, providing vocational and technical training to beneficiaries.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Our Shoulders Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that delivers free skills training, vocational education, community development, health, sanitation, and environmental sustainability programs to underprivileged men, women, and children in Tamil Nadu, India. Its core offerings span the Grow with Google technical training program, vocational trades, urban slum interventions, WASH initiatives, water body revival, afforestation, and farmer support — all delivered free of charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

Our Shoulders Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization (registered 2016, Chennai-based) offering a portfolio of social impact programs rather than a unified software product. The core programs include: Technical Skill Training (Grow with Google with Coursera, covering digital marketing, data analytics, IT support, project management, UX design); Vocational Training (bakery, hospitality, RO water installation, electrical/plumbing); Community Development (entrepreneur training, urban slum initiatives, RWA training); Health & Sanitation (COVID-19 relief, WASH projects, de-addiction awareness); Environment Sustainability (water body revival, afforestation); and Farmer Support. The organization does not operate a technology product platform — all programs are delivered through direct community engagement, volunteering, and local partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grow with Google Technical Skill Training Free technical skill training program providing industry-relevant online certifications to economically weaker students (family income below 5 lakhs), with supplementary soft skills sessions covering communication, critical thinking, teamwork, interview preparation, and resume building.
• At-Risk Youth Vocational Training Vocational training programs for at-risk youth in observation homes (e.g., Kelly's Observation Home, Purasaiwalkam) and special homes (e.g., Children Special Home, Chengalpattu), providing rehabilitation and structured skill development.
• Industrial Trades Training (Electrical, Plumbing, RO Water) Practical trades training covering electrical work, plumbing, and RO water system installation/maintenance, providing high-demand technical skills for the construction and maintenance industries.
• Bakery and Life Skills Training Vocational program combining baking skills with essential life skills to foster entrepreneurship and employment in the food industry.
• Hospitality Industry Training Training program preparing individuals for entry-level and advanced roles in hotels, catering, and broader service sectors.
• Urban Slum Community Development Programs Targeted community development programs in urban slums of RK Nagar, Perumbakkam, and Athipattu, including entrepreneurship training, Residential Welfare Association (RWA) empowerment, and social-cause awareness campaigns.
• Entrepreneur Training Program Capacity-building workshops in Ezhil Nagar and Perumbakkam designed to create economic independence and self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship training.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Program Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program including community awareness drives in Ezhil Nagar (500+ families), school programs in Okkiyam Thuraipakkam, and child handwashing training in Perumbakkam (150 children).
• De-Addiction Awareness Program Community outreach program aimed at substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation pathways, in collaboration with the NAPDDR Department.
• FRIENDS of 108 - Thozhamai 108 Emergency Response Support Flagship emergency response support initiative ensuring faster community mobilization for 108 ambulance services, inaugurated at Patrician College in partnership with 108 Ambulance Services.
• Water Alliance Project (Water Body Revival) Water body revival initiative in collaboration with CII, cleaning, desilting, and reviving local lakes and ponds to restore ecosystems and improve groundwater tables (10 water bodies restored including 5 major lakes and 5 ponds).
• Afforestation and Mass Sapling Program Mass-scale afforestation initiative including a supporting role in a Guinness World Record for planting approximately 30,000 seedlings with 20,000 participants on 15 acres at Sathyabama University, plus an 8-acre initiative planting 17,308 seedlings.
• Farmers Support Program Agricultural support initiative for farming families in Kuthambakkam Village, Tiruvallur District, providing seeds, tools, and training combining modern and traditional farming techniques (300+ farming families supported).
• COVID-19 Community Relief Intervention Six-month emergency relief operation directly supporting vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with the Greater Chennai Corporation, reaching over 1,500 community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,330+ students trained, 2,500+ course completions, 999+ community members engaged, 333+ families reached, 66 entrepreneurs supported
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Google (via Grow with Google)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrow with Google project providing self-learning online courses to economically weaker students. Includes Google Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, IT Support, IT Automation, Project Management, and UX Design courses.
• CourseracoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline learning platform partner for Grow with Google technical training program, providing course delivery infrastructure.
• NASSCOM FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner in the Grow with Google consortium, supporting skill development initiatives for underprivileged students in Tamil Nadu.
• Sathyabama UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAchieved Guinness World Record together for planting approximately 30,000 seedlings with 20,000 participants across 15 acres. University-hosted environmental conservation initiative.
• Greater Chennai CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for COVID-19 community intervention and health initiatives targeting vulnerable populations.
• Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership for WASH programs and resettlement area agricultural and community development support.
• CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Alliance Project partnership for cleaning, desilting, and reviving local lakes and ponds. Restored 10 water bodies including 5 major lakes and 5 ponds.
• NAPDDR DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe-addiction awareness programs collaboration for substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation pathways.
• Patrician CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRIENDS of 108 emergency response support initiative (Thozhamai 108) inaugurated at Patrician College.
• 16 Colleges in Tamil Nadu ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution consortium participating in Grow with Google technical training program for student enrollment and course delivery.
• Kelly's Observation Home, PurasaiwalkamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training programs for at-risk youth in observation home setting, providing specialized skill training for rehabilitation.
• Children Special Home, ChengalpattucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing support and mentorship programs for children in special home, delivering technical aptitude training for brighter future.
• 108 Ambulance Services (FRIENDS of 108 - Thozhamai 108)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency response support initiative ensuring faster community mobilization for 108 ambulance services.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity India: International NGO with India operations focused on housing and community development — adjacent as community-development peer serving low-income Indian populations.
• SOS Children's Villages of India: International NGO with India operations providing childcare, education, and youth vocational training in institutional settings — directly comparable to OSF's at-risk youth programs at Kelly's Observation Home and Children Special Home.

Direct peers

• NASSCOM Foundation: India-focused non-profit that runs digital skilling and livelihood programs for underprivileged youth; directly comparable on the technical skill training and corporate partnership model that OSF leverages.
• Smile Foundation: Delhi-NCR based Indian NGO operating education, healthcare, livelihood, and community programs across states — comparable multi-vertical Indian non-profit model.
• Goonj: Mumbai-headquartered Indian non-profit focusing on community development, rural livelihood, WASH, and disaster relief across India; comparable grassroots community development and WASH focus.
• Akshaya Patra Foundation: Large India-headquartered NGO with Bengaluru HQ; runs diversified social programs including education, skill development, and community welfare across multiple states — directly comparable multi-program Indian non-profit.
• Magic Bus India Foundation: India-focused NGO delivering livelihood and skills training to underprivileged youth using a curriculum and partner-driven model; comparable in target population (economically weaker youth) and employment outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Pratham Education Foundation: One of India's largest education and livelihood NGOs with pan-India operations; comparable as an established incumbent in the skills-training and community-development space.
• CRY (Child Rights and You): Established pan-India child welfare NGO; comparable as an established Indian non-profit working with vulnerable populations, particularly children in underserved communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/our-shoulders-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OUR SHOULDERS FOUNDATION