Solidarity Foundation Bangalore

What Solidarity Foundation Bangalore does

Solidarity Foundation is a Bengaluru-based registered nonprofit trust, established in 2012–2013, that supports female sex workers, gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQIA+), and people living with HIV primarily across the South Indian states of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It operates as a 'bridge' organisation intermediating between Indian philanthropic foundations, CSR-funded corporates, and four partner community-based organisations (Navajeevana Sanghatane, Beladingalu Mahila Okkuta, Udayasri Public Welfare Society, Modern Awareness Society) that deliver grassroots programming.

The foundation's work is organised around thematic pillars: (1) Project Vayati, a flagship livelihood programme delivering vocational training and corporate job placement (including placements at IBM and Innove via Don Bosco Skill Mission); (2) Health Services covering mental health, primary care, and sexual & reproductive health and rights (SRHR); (3) Digital Inclusion, providing digital-skills, online-safety, and digital-financial-inclusion training; (4) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) workshops for corporates and institutions; (5) Leadership Building, providing mentorship and psychosocial support to emergent movement leaders; and (6) Institutional Strengthening of partner CBOs. Tangible outputs include the 2023 comic-book series ('We Resist, We Rise!', 'A World of Possibilities', and the Kannada Red Stars), the June 2024 Mental Health Aid Training Manual produced with BALM Chennai, the June 2024 'Resourcing Social Movements' report, and the January 2026 SRHR Training Manual.

Its underlying technology is a relatively conventional digital communications and inclusion stack—a website, social-media channels, and published training resources—rather than proprietary software. The revenue model is fundamentally donation-funded, blending individual donations and payroll giving, foundation grants (Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, HCL Foundation), corporate CSR (Godrej, Thoughtworks, IBM), international grants (UNAIDS), nominal DEI training fees, and volunteer in-kind contributions. Governance rests with a four-person Board of Trustees (Freya D'Souza, Bakul Sharma, Riah Sivakumar, Shubha Chacko), and the foundation publishes annual reports and audit statements going back to FY2020-21.

Name

Solidarity Foundation Bangalore

Legal name

Solidarity Foundation

Website

https://solidarityfoundation.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Nonprofit social services
• Diversity inclusion training
• Livelihood skill building
• Sexual health advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Small contributions from individual donors, including payroll giving programs for long-term association and one-off donations. As a small foundation, these contributions ensure support reaches grassroots level groups.
2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funding: Corporate donations through CSR work, employee giving programs, and non-monetary resource sharing. Companies support livelihood programs and organizational activities.
3. Foundation Grants and Partnerships: Funding from philanthropic foundations including Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, HCL Foundation, and others to support programmatic work.
4. DEI Training Fees: Nominal fees charged for Diversity and Inclusion training workshops conducted for corporate partners, with payments contributing to Foundation support.
5. Volunteer and Resource Contributions: Non-monetary contributions including expertise, office equipment, and other resources from individuals and organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Solidarity Foundation is a registered nonprofit trust that supports sex workers, gender and sexual minorities, and people living with HIV through community organizing, leadership development, livelihood programs, health services, digital inclusion training, and institutional strengthening of grassroots community-based organizations in South India. It also conducts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for corporate partners and facilitates resource flows between foundations, corporates, and grassroots communities.

Product overview

Solidarity Foundation is a non-profit organization (registered trust) that does not offer a traditional software product. Instead, it provides a portfolio of social programs organized into thematic pillars: (1) Project Vayati - flagship livelihood initiative for transgender and LGBTQIA+ communities providing vocational training and employment placement; (2) Health Services - mental health support, primary healthcare, and SRHR programs; (3) Digital Inclusion - digital skills building and online safety; (4) DEI Services - corporate sensitisation and inclusion training; (5) Leadership Building - mentorship and capacity development for grassroots leaders; (6) Institutional Strengthening - CBO capacity building; and (7) Publications - training manuals and research reports. The organization operates primarily in South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu) and facilitates resource flow between donors, corporates, and grassroots communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Vayati: A holistic community development program under the Livelihood pillar that aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for gender and sexual minorities, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and sex workers. Project Vayati operates on a three-tiered approach at individual, community, and ecosystem levels to promote inclusive economic empowerment.

Products and services

• Project Vayati A holistic community development program and flagship livelihood initiative creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for LGBTQIA+ communities, PLHIV individuals, and sex workers through vocational training, skill development, and employment placement support. Operates on a three-tiered approach at individual, community, and ecosystem levels.
• Health Services Program Comprehensive health support including mental health services (workshops, counselling, ToT programs), primary health initiatives, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programs for LGBTIAQ+ persons, female sex workers, and people living with HIV.
• Digital Inclusion Program A thematic pillar ensuring consistent knowledge and information flow about the organisation. Works with GSM, FSW and PLHIV communities to build digital skills, enable online safety and presence, and ensure growing understanding of digital rights and digital financial inclusion.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Services Sensitisation workshops, webinars, and awareness programs for workplaces, educational institutions, and healthcare providers. Includes arts-based learning programs, community empowerment initiatives, and corporate partnership development for inclusive hiring practices. Nominal fees charged for corporate workshops.
• Leadership Building Program Program providing close handholding support, mentoring, and psychosocial support to emergent leaders among gender/sexual minority and sex worker groups with vision for bringing about social change. Aims to enable change-makers to raise their voices and shape the agenda around issues of sexuality at state and national level.
• Institutional Strengthening Program Capacity-building support for Community-Based Organisations including compliance, leadership development, crisis management training, social entitlements facilitation, and networking support in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
• Corporate Involvement Program Collaborative diversity and inclusion initiatives placing LGBT community members, CSR funding support, employee giving programs, and livelihood program support for sexual minority groups through corporate partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 candidates placed in formal employment through Project Vayati residential training program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Navajeevana SanghatanecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner CBO in Bommanahalli, Karnataka focused on collectivizing female sex workers. Part of the core network of community-based organizations implementing programs at the grassroots level.
• Beladingalu Mahila OkkutacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner CBO in Raichur, Karnataka building a robust community-centred crisis management strategy for marginalized communities.
• Udayasri Public welfare SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner CBO in Karimnagar, Telangana using ICTs and creative methods to give visibility to sexual minority issues.
• Modern Awareness SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner CBO in Warangal, Telangana focused on creating new avenues for education of transwomen and engaging with crisis mitigation.
• Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with BALM, Chennai to build capacities of community First Responders for better self and community care. Produced the Training Manual on Mental Health Aid by First Responders for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganised public consultation on intersex persons' rights in collaboration with NIMHANS on October 23, 2017, to provide a platform for intersex persons to discuss their issues.
• Aravani Art ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArt-based collaboration for creative engagement and community visibility initiatives.
• DesignBekuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign partnership for creative engagement and visibility of community work.
• The Queer Muslim ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce the 'Safe and Strong: An LGBTQ+ Guide to Facebook and Instagram' for online safety and wellbeing of the LGBTIQ+ community.
• Don Bosco Skill MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Project Vayati residential training program. Successfully placed 5 candidates including positions as evaluation team member, trainer, office assistant, and hospitality team member. Training provided to sexual minority community participants.
• InnoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate employer partner for Project Vayati job placement program, providing employment opportunity for trained community member as office assistant.
• IBMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate employer partner for Project Vayati placement program, employing trained participant in hospitality team.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Varta Trust: Kolkata-based resource organization that supports LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized groups through media, research, and capacity building. Comparable as a movement-support intermediary in eastern India.
• Naz Foundation (India) Trust: A New Delhi-based nonprofit working on HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and LGBTQIA+ rights in India. Directly comparable as a community-led NGO serving MSM and gender minority populations with health and rights programming.
• Sangama: Bengaluru-based NGO working with sexual minorities, sex workers, and people living with HIV on health, rights, and livelihood. Shares Solidarity's geography, beneficiary populations, and rights-based approach.
• India HIV/AIDS Alliance: National NGO working on HIV programming with key populations including sex workers and MSM. Comparable as an intermediary that channels donor funding to community-based organizations across India.
• SAATHII: Chennai-headquartered nonprofit working on sexual and reproductive health, HIV, and rights of marginalized communities. Comparable as a South India-based peer with health, rights, and CBO-strengthening programming.
• Nazariya (formerly Point of View): Mumbai-based feminist organization working on gender, sexuality, and queer rights through research, advocacy, and grants. Comparable as a peer in movement resourcing and gender/sexuality philanthropy in India.
• CREA: New Delhi-based international feminist human rights organization focused on gender, sexuality, and bodily autonomy. Comparable as a grantmaker and capacity-builder advancing gender and sexual rights in South Asia.
• Humsafar Trust: Mumbai-based nonprofit supporting MSM and transgender communities with health, advocacy, and community mobilization. Closely aligned with Solidarity's CBO-driven, community-empowerment model for sexual minorities.

Others

• Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives: Major Indian philanthropic foundation funding social justice, equity, and inclusion causes. Listed as a Solidarity donor; included as an OTHERS peer given its role as a funder in the same ecosystem rather than a direct programmatic competitor.

Emerging players

• Swasti (Health Catalysts): Bengaluru-based public health nonprofit working on marginalized communities' health and wellbeing. Comparable in South India geography and focus on vulnerable populations, though with a broader health-systems lens.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SolidarityFound
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIjIfogOcfV4MghgO69i-mw
• Facebookfacebook.com/SolidarityFoundationBengaluru
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solidarity-foundation-bangalore
• Instagraminstagram.com/solidarityfoundation

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 Solidarity Foundation Bangalore