What Sewa International does

Sewa International is a not-for-profit humanitarian organization registered as a charitable trust under the Indian Trust Act of 1882, headquartered in New Delhi with a formal establishment date of May 16, 1997 (originating from the 1993 Latur earthquake volunteer response). It delivers social-impact programs across six verticals: Disaster Management (relief operations for cyclones, floods, earthquakes, glacial bursts), Livelihood & Skill Development (community farming, Mahila Jyoti Kendra, PMKVY skill centers, digital literacy), Health & Sanitation (Mobile Medical Units, WASH, SHE menstrual health), Education (SEEK school kits, Sponsor a Child, STEM labs, School Adoption), Environment (tree plantation, water conservation, solar), and Leadership Development (Sewa Fellowship). It runs a sub-brand called Seema Shakti targeting border villages and maintains a Volunteer Management System, monthly Sewa Sandesh newsletter, and social journalism publications as digital touchpoints. The organization has presence in 25+ Indian states and 30+ countries through affiliated Sewa chapters, serving a cumulative 70 Lakh+ (7 million+) beneficiaries via 700+ projects and a paid staff of 198.

The underlying technology stack is a conventional NGO operating layer: a website, an online Volunteer Management System (VMS) at sewainternational.org/sewa-vms, donation portals (Zoho Forms-based), QR-code mobile-giving flows, email/newsletter infrastructure, and standard digital communications. There is no documented proprietary platform, no APIs, no AI/ML systems, and no disclosed data assets. Programs are delivered as parallel service offerings rather than integrated software modules.

The revenue model is diversified across individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring), corporate CSR partnerships (35+ corporates engaged via a dedicated registration portal and donor-relations pipeline), and a minor handicraft-merchandise revenue stream from Sewa Mahila Jyoti Kendra (textiles, eco-friendly bags, reusable sanitary napkins produced by women artisans). Pricing is donation-based; suggested giving levels exist (e.g., ₹750 per SEEK school kit) with monthly and one-time cadences. Distribution happens via direct field delivery, partnerships with local NGOs such as Being Volunteer Foundation and SVMM, and the global Sewa affiliate network. No financial results are publicly disclosed beyond the reference to financial reports hosted on the Resources section of the website.

Name

Sewa International

Legal name

Sewa International

Website

https://sewainternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sewa International is an Indian charitable trust delivering humanitarian programs across disaster relief, education, healthcare, livelihood, environment, and leadership development, serving 7 million+ beneficiaries across 25+ states with affiliates in 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid and Community Development Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Disaster relief operations
• Community development programs
• Women empowerment initiatives
• Skill development training

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Sewa International raises funds through individual donations via its website donation portal, QR codes for mobile giving, and cheque/draft submissions. Donors can make one-time or monthly recurring contributions.
2. Corporate CSR Partnerships: The organization partners with corporations for CSR initiatives, offering structured giving programs where companies can engage employees in charitable giving or fund specific projects aligned with their CSR mandates.
3. Sewing/Handicraft Products: Sewa Mahila Jyoti Kendra generates revenue through sale of handcrafted products including textile dyeing, weaving, apparel, bags, eco-friendly cotton bags, and reusable sanitary napkins produced by women artisans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sewa International is a non-profit charitable trust that delivers humanitarian services across disaster relief, education, healthcare, livelihood and skill development, women's empowerment, environment, and leadership development. It funds and operates programs such as disaster response operations, mobile medical units, school kit distributions, women's skill centers, community farming, and WASH infrastructure across 25+ Indian states with a global affiliate network in 30+ countries.

Product overview

Sewa International operates as a non-profit humanitarian organization offering a portfolio of social impact programs rather than a unified software product. The organization provides community-focused services across six primary verticals: Disaster Management (relief operations and emergency response), Livelihood & Skill Development (agricultural programs, women's skill centers, micro-entrepreneurship training, PMKVY skill centers, digital literacy, and SIDDC rehabilitation program), Health & Sanitation (mobile medical units, WASH school infrastructure, and SHE menstrual health program), Education (SEEK school kits, child sponsorship, STEM labs, and school adoption), Environment (tree planting, water conservation, waste management, solar energy), and Leadership Development (Sewa Fellowship). Additionally, the organization maintains a Volunteer Management System digital platform, Sewa Sandesh monthly newsletter, and Social Journalism case studies. These programs function as distinct service offerings rather than integrated software modules, with no shared technical platform connecting them. The organization is registered under the Indian Trust Act of 1882 and operates across 25+ states in India with presence in 30+ countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEEK: School Education Empowerment Kit - initiative providing school kits to underprivileged students including bags, notebooks, pencil box, drawing book, crayon, water bottle, lunch box etc.
• SAC
• SEEMA SHAKTI
• WASH
• SHE
• STEM
• School Adoption Program
• Community Farming Project
• Mahila Jyoti Kendra
• Micro Entrepreneurship & Skill Development
• Mobile Medical Unit (MMU)
• Sewa Fellowship
• Sewa Sandesh
• Ummedo Ki Udaan

Products and services

• SEEK (School Education Empowerment Kit) Educational support initiative providing school kits (bags, notebooks, pencil boxes, crayons, water bottles, lunch boxes) to underprivileged students to prevent school dropout.
• Sponsor a Child (SAC) Child sponsorship initiative providing critical educational support to children facing unforeseen hardships by covering school-related expenses during family crises.
• STEM Education Program Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics initiative for underserved students in Delhi featuring a fully equipped STEM laboratory with high-speed internet, interactive digital modules, and project-based experiential learning tools.
• School Adoption Program School transformation initiative involving classroom and wall painting, educational museum visits, computer lab establishment, sports day organization, and STEM-based exposure to create vibrant learning environments.
• Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) Mobile healthcare service delivering essential medical care to underserved communities across Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Haryana, with MBBS doctors, diagnostic facilities including ECG and pathological tests, and free medicines for minor ailments.
• WASH Program (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Water, sanitation, and hygiene initiative for schools and communities conducting WASH audits, building or renovating toilets and handwashing stations, installing safe drinking water systems, and promoting hygiene education.
• SHE Program (Sanitation, Hygiene & Empowerment) Initiative for adolescent girls addressing menstrual health through school-based awareness sessions, distribution of reusable eco-friendly sanitary napkins, and toilet construction to prevent school dropout.
• Community Farming Project Sustainable agriculture initiative in Uttarakhand's Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts empowering small and marginal farmers through land pooling, collaborative farming, and blending traditional knowledge with modern practices to revive dormant lands.
• Sewa Mahila Jyoti Kendra Women's skill development initiative across Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tripura focusing on craft-based economy including embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and weaving for financial independence and leadership.
• Micro Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Micro-entrepreneurship initiative fostering economic empowerment among underprivileged individuals through comprehensive training, group engagement, equipment support, and exposure to Khadi India and Gandhi Darshan.
• PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) Centers Skill training centers across Uttarakhand and West Bengal providing industry-specific training in hospitality, IT/ITES, apparel, food processing, and agriculture under India's national skill development program.
• Digital Literacy (Sewa Yuva Jyoti) Digital literacy program running basic computer courses including coding and accounting skills at multiple centers in Uttarakhand and Tripura to empower youth for digital workforce participation.
• SIDDC (Sewa International Design & Development Centre) Rehabilitation program providing capacity building workshops, training cum exhibitions, and financial assistance through bank linkages for poor women in rural areas, originally set up after the 2001 Bhuj earthquake.
• Disaster Relief Operations Emergency response service covering search and rescue operations, relief camp setup, cooked food distribution, debris clearing, and first-aid supply distribution during natural disasters including cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and glacial bursts.
• Sewa Fellowship Fellowship program nurturing socially conscious leaders through values-based training, project work, and mentorship to inspire innovation and drive positive change in communities.
• Seema Shakti Border Village Empowerment & Resilience Initiative focusing on education, healthcare, and livelihood skills training for marginalized populations in border regions including Ladakh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Environment Programs Environmental conservation programs including tree plantation and afforestation, water conservation projects, waste management and cleanliness drives, renewable energy solutions (solar panels), and environmental awareness workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 Lakh+ beneficiaries served across programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Sewa USAcoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa CanadacoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa UKcoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa AustraliacoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa South AfricacoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa NZ (New Zealand)coreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Sewa MauritiuscoreOthersAffiliate of the global Sewa movement, part of 30+ country network united under the banner of 'Sewa' movement for humanitarian service.
• Being Volunteer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Maharashtra Flood 2019 response, engaged in search and rescue operations, relief materials collection and distribution in flood-hit areas of Sangli and Kolhapur.
• SVMM (Sanjay Vidyarthi Memorial Mission)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of Mobile Medical Van donation from Sewa International for conducting medical camps in remote areas with difficult terrain.
• Corporate Partners (35+)majorGTM or Marketing Partner35+ corporate partners supporting CSR initiatives. Partners engage through employee giving programs, project sponsorship, and structured CSR partnerships.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oxfam India: Indian arm of Oxfam International working on inequality, gender, disaster response, and livelihood. Comparable to Sewa in program verticals and CSR/institutional fundraising, with significantly larger international backing.
• Tata Trusts: India's largest philanthropic foundation supporting education, health, livelihood, and rural development at massive scale. Comparable in program verticals, geographic breadth, and CSR/corporate partnership model, though operating with significantly greater capital.
• Habitat for Humanity India: Indian arm of global housing non-profit, focused on shelter, WASH, and disaster resilience. Comparable to Sewa's WASH, disaster relief, and community development programs with an international parent brand.
• GiveIndia: India's largest online donation platform aggregating 2,000+ verified NGOs. A complementary rather than competitive entity — Sewa International could be listed as a partner NGO, and GiveIndia represents a fundraising channel comparable to Sewa's own donation portal.

Direct peers

• Smile Foundation: Indian development non-profit operating across education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment through a multi-vertical program model. Highly comparable to Sewa in program structure, CSR partnership approach, and beneficiary segments.
• CRY (Child Rights and You): One of India's largest child rights NGOs with programs spanning education, healthcare, and child protection. Comparable to Sewa's education programs (SEEK, Sponsor a Child) and similar CSR-driven funding model.
• Goonj: India-based non-profit focused on urban-to-rural material redistribution, disaster relief, and community development. Closest comparable to Sewa's grassroots, volunteer-driven humanitarian model serving rural and underprivileged Indian communities across multiple states.
• SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association): India-based trade union and women's empowerment organization serving over 1.7 million women through skill development, healthcare, and livelihood programs. Highly comparable to Sewa Mahila Jyoti Kendra and similar women-focused skill-building verticals.
• Akshaya Patra Foundation: India's largest mid-day meal NGO serving millions of school children daily. Comparable to Sewa in scale (millions of beneficiaries), government partnership model, and CSR-driven funding structure.
• Helpage India: Indian non-profit providing healthcare, livelihood, and elder support across multiple states. Similar registered trust structure, multi-state program delivery, and donor-funded model to Sewa International.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sewa-international

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Sewa International