What Ambuja Foundation does

Ambuja Foundation is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1993 under Section 25 (now Section 8) of the Companies Act in Maharashtra, India (CIN U91990MH1993NPL264710), originally established as the corporate social responsibility arm of Ambuja Cements and headquartered in Mumbai. It implements integrated rural development programs across six verticals—Water, Agriculture, Skills, Health, Women, and Education—delivered through 20+ regional field offices covering 4,297 villages in 14 states and 2 Union territories. Core programmatic assets include the Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (SEDI) for vocational training of rural youth, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective farming, the Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK) special education center in Punjab operational for 25 years, and grassroots community-owned enterprise brands such as Marwar Saheli, Bhuamrit, and Virasat-e-Malwa that sell on Flipkart and Amazon. Programmatic technology centers on community mobilization, watershed development, and structured monitoring with 1,300 data indicators logged quarterly across the six program verticals.

The foundation operates as a CSR implementing agency under contract from corporate partners rather than as a commercial enterprise. Annual program outlay exceeds Rs. 308 crores (~$37M USD), sourced from 100+ partners including HDFC Bank Parivartan, Hindustan Zinc, Asian Paints, Apollo Tyres, SBI Funds Management, NABARD, Better Cotton, and others; the foundation also partners with state governments on schemes in water, skills, agriculture, health, and education. Pearl Tiwari serves as CEO and Narotam Sekhsaria as Chairman. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales: the foundation secures multi-year, multi-state CSR implementation contracts with corporates, deploys field staff at the village level, and reports impact through third-party-validated SROI studies (10x return in Chhattisgarh, 13x in Kodinar, 5x in Rabriyawas). Reach includes 7.6 million people impacted, 1,34,000 youth trained, 2.7 lakh farmers with increased profits, 39,000 women empowered, and 70.44 MCM of water harvested. The foundation evolved from a single-company CSR entity to a multi-partner implementation agency following its 2017 repositioning around the vision of 'A Sustainable Prosperous society, built on long term partnerships.'

Name

Ambuja Foundation

Legal name

Ambuja Foundation

Website

https://ambujafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Ambuja Foundation is an Indian non-profit that implements integrated rural development programs across water, agriculture, skills, health, women, and education verticals, serving 7.6 million people in 4,297 villages across 14 states as a CSR implementation partner for 100+ corporates and government bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Development and Community Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Rural development programs
• Water resource management
• Skill development training
• Farmer producer organizations
• Women empowerment initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CSR Implementation Services: As a CSR implementing agency, Ambuja Foundation receives funding from corporate partners to implement rural development projects on their behalf. Partners include HDFC Bank Parivartan, Hindustan Zinc, Asian Paints, Apollo Tyres, and 100+ others across various sectors.
2. Annual Investment from Operations: From humble beginnings with Rs. 15 lakh budget in early 90s, the foundation now invests over 308 crores annually in pursuing its vision of rural prosperity

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Ambuja Foundation is a non-profit CSR implementation agency that designs and delivers integrated rural development programs across six verticals: water security, agriculture, skills training, health, women empowerment, and education. It works with corporate CSR partners, government bodies, and foundations to implement field-level programs covering 4,297 villages in 14 states, and supports community-owned enterprises that give rural producers direct market access.

Product overview

Ambuja Foundation is a pan-India NGO implementing rural development programs across six verticals: Water (drinking water security, water for livelihoods, water use efficiency), Agriculture (sustainable farming, farmer collectives, environment-friendly practices), Skills (SEDI training and placement), Health (maternal/child health, disease management, WASH), Women (SHG empowerment, socio-economic strengthening), and Education (school infrastructure, Ambuja Manovikas Kendra for special needs). The organization also promotes community-owned enterprises including Marwar Saheli (food products), Bhuamrit (agricultural products), and Virasat-e-Malwa (handicrafts), enabling rural communities to build independent enterprises with direct market access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEDI (Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute): Skill training and entrepreneurship development program for rural youth
• Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK)
• Marwar Saheli
• Bhuamrit
• Virasat-e-Malwa
• Sakhi
• Pankh

Products and services

• SEDI (Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute) Skill and entrepreneurship development training centers providing employment-oriented skills training (including Data Science and vocational courses) to rural youth across multiple states, with placement support and partnerships with the National Skill Development Corporation for certification. 1,34,000 youth have been trained through the program.
• Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK) A dedicated education institution for children with special needs located in Ropar, Punjab, providing special education for 25 years and achieving recognition including Punjab State Special Olympics titles for multiple consecutive years.
• Marwar Saheli A women-led grassroots enterprise from the Marwar region producing natural spices, homemade papads, and biscuits, run entirely by women and blending heritage skills with modern market access.
• Bhuamrit Agricultural cooperative from Uttarakhand that grew from 20 to 656 farmers, producing value-added products including basmati rice, organic jaggery, natural honey, mustard oil, and wheat flour, sold on Flipkart, Amazon, and direct to retail outlets in Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. The Bhu Amrit FPO won FPO of the Year 2025.
• Virasat-e-Malwa A collective celebrating the craft heritage of Punjab's Malwa region, uniting 220 women producers who create value-added handicraft products including Phulkari, Panji Dari, and woven products.
• Water Resource Management Programs Water security and watershed development programs creating drought-resilient rural villages, including drinking water security, water harvesting for livelihoods, irrigation, and water use efficiency. 70.44 MCM of water has been harvested through these initiatives.
• Agriculture Development Programs Agricultural development programs covering sustainable and organic farming models, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and environment-friendly practices, helping 2.7 lakh farmers achieve increased profits (24% higher profits in FPOs with 19% less pesticide use).
• Community Health Programs Healthcare programs covering maternal, child, and adolescent health, communicable and non-communicable disease management, curative primary health, and WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene). The Farakka program increased institutional delivery rate from 28.57% to 85.07%.
• Women Empowerment Programs Women empowerment programs covering Self-Help Group (SHG) social participation and inclusion, socio-economic strengthening, and building local institutions/federations, empowering 39,000 women.
• Education Programs Education programs creating enabling school environments with infrastructure, hygiene and WASH support, promoting reading and physical education, and providing special education through Ambuja Manovikas Kendra for children with special needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7.6 million people positively impacted across rural India
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HDFC Bank ParivartancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017, joined hands as CSR implementation partner to address community issues. Shared vision of sustainable rural livelihood led to over 20 active projects in 10 states positively impacting the most vulnerable rural populations.
• NABARDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the most significant government partners, invested 1.7 crore in 2024-25 across water, skills, agriculture, women, health and education. Collaboration started in 2008 and continues with supported projects across locations on FPO, WADI, Watershed, SHGs and Skilling.
• Better CottoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected in 2010 to enhance cotton practices and livelihoods. Instrumental in improving practices of over 2.1 lakh cotton farmers across 4 states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan).
• Hindustan Zinc LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR implementation partner that set up 4 Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institutes in Rajasthan, training over 3,655 youth for livelihoods.
• Apollo Tyres FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR Implementation partner helping truckers tackle HIV by establishing Healthcare Centers at truck terminals across 4 locations, impacting over 82,000 truckers. Initiative has obtained Government support under PPP model.
• Asian Paints LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSR implementation enhancing livelihood of 4.2 lakh individuals in nine villages in Vishakapatnam through water and health initiatives.
• IndusInd BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2018, partnered for rural livelihood and water resource management program addressing water scarcity and economic poverty in 30 villages of Jaitaran block, Pali district, Western Rajasthan.
• Ambuja Cements Ltd / Adani CementscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated rural development across manufacturing sites and organisational support to Ambuja Foundation.
• Anand Rathi Global FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoubling farmers income through water and agricultural interventions in Pali, Rajasthan.
• APM Terminals PipavavminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkill & Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Rajula, Gujarat.
• Ashok Leyland LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resource Management in Alwar, Rajasthan.
• AU Small Finance Bank LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting Skill Development Programme in Jaipur, Nagaur, Chirawa and Jaitara, Rajasthan and Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
• Hinduja FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Water Resource Management Programme in Alwar, Rajasthan.
• Hinduja Housing FinanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Management Project in Hindaun City, Karauli, Rajasthan.
• Hinduja Leyland FinanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resource Management Programme in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• Indian Council of Agriculture ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrishi Vigyan Kendra in Kodinar, Gujarat for agricultural research and extension.
• K.K. Birla Memorial SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkill & Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Gadepan, Kota, Rajasthan.
• Krishnashray Gurukul FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting SEDI at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
• Narotam Sekhsaria FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated Community Development Programme in Chirawa, Rajasthan, and field action research study focusing on Tobacco Cessation among expectant mothers across 3 locations.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-financial partnership for certification of skilled youth across SEDIs.
• Pernod Ricard India FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting quality healthcare and road safety for truck drivers in Derabassi, Punjab.
• Prince Pipes & Fittings LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive water harvesting project in Chomu district of Rajasthan.
• SBI Funds Management LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Gandhinagar, Sanand, Gujarat and Una, Himachal Pradesh.
• SKF India LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting SEDI Programme in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Sankrail, West Bengal and Jaitaran, Rajasthan and Water Resource Management in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resource Management in Amreli, Gujarat.
• TATA Motors Passengers Vehicle LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated Village Development Project (IVDP) in Dholka, Gujarat.
• The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resource Development in Gir, Gujarat.
• Yes FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year skilling initiative (FY 2024-2026) providing livelihood opportunities across six states: Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• VoltascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive health and education development initiative in Waghodia (Vadodara) and Sanand (Ahmedabad), Gujarat.
• Kanohar Electricals LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish new Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Three-year programme aims to train more than 1,000 rural youth.
• Sun PharmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resource Management program in Dhari, Gujarat.
• Marico LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create 10 crore liters of water storage capacity.
• Godrej AgrovetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support livelihoods through agricultural interventions.
• Western Coalfields LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing skill training programs in Chandrapur District.
• Cipla FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sports programs and skill development initiatives.
• Hinduja GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolistic Rural Development program benefitting 2.7 lakh people.
• SBI Funds ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner to empower youth through new skill centres.
• AU FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched future IT skills course for under-privileged youth.
• Hero MotorCorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffering skill courses for women.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Reliance Foundation: Large Indian corporate foundation operating across rural development, health, education, women empowerment and disaster response. Comparable corporate-foundation structure and integrated rural mandate, but operates as a funder rather than as a third-party CSR implementing agency.
• Tata Trusts: One of India's largest philanthropic umbrella foundations funding rural development, water, health and education. Broader and better-capitalized incumbent in the same development space; not a direct program-implementer but a major grantmaker overlapping Ambuja's domains.
• Infosys Foundation: Corporate foundation of Infosys funding rural development, education, health and sanitation across India. Comparable corporate-foundation structure and program verticals, but typically self-implements rather than serving as a third-party CSR agency.

Direct peers

• Smile Foundation: Indian development non-profit implementing education, health and livelihoods programs for underprivileged children and families through corporate partnerships. Comparable CSR-implementation partner model and multi-vertical approach.
• Pratham Education Foundation: One of India's largest NGOs focused on education and livelihood skilling for under-served communities. Comparable rural program delivery model, partner-driven funding, and measurement-led approach to impact.
• Naandi Foundation: Indian non-profit implementing large-scale programs in rural water, agriculture, education and livelihoods with corporate and government partnerships. Closely comparable integrated rural-development mandate and CSR-implementation orientation.
• Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR): Pune-based NGO specializing in watershed development, climate-resilient agriculture and rural livelihoods across multiple Indian states. Directly comparable to Ambuja Foundation's water-resource management and sustainable agriculture programs.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: Long-standing Indian NGO delivering integrated rural development across agriculture, livestock, water and livelihoods across many states. Directly comparable to Ambuja Foundation's multi-vertical grassroots model and pan-India rural footprint.
• SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association): Indian organization mobilizing rural and informal-sector women into collectives for economic empowerment, healthcare and social security. Directly comparable to Ambuja Foundation's women empowerment, SHG and rural enterprise programs.

Emerging players

• Magic Bus India Foundation: India-based NGO focused on livelihood skilling and education for underprivileged youth, with strong corporate partnerships. Comparable to Ambuja Foundation's SEDI skill-development programs, though more focused on a single vertical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WeAreACF
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCST9_ssxFiP1Nh886nRqvug/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ambuja-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ambuja_foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ambuja Foundation