Sunbird Trust
Sunbird Trust is a Bangalore-registered non-profit that delivers education, teacher training, scholarship, and community development programs in remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India, serving children, schools, and youth across seven states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBangalore, India
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sunbird Trust does
Sunbird Trust is a Bangalore-registered non-profit trust that delivers education and community development programs in remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India, operating field programs across seven states: Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Mizoram. Founded by retired Col. Christopher Rego (Retd.) and formally registered on December 11, 2014 (building on an informal initiative begun in Mizoram in 2004), the organization serves children aged 5–16 from farming families with limited access to quality education, alongside teachers, schools, and broader communities in border-area and insurgency-affected zones. The organization is governed by three Trustees and advised by a Board of Advisors that includes former sponsored students such as Dr. Benjamine Khiangte, a Consultant Gastroenterologist. Operations are uniquely enabled by a strategic partnership with the Indian Army (Assam Rifles and 5 Mountain Brigade) for logistics and infrastructure support in hard-to-reach terrain.
The core program portfolio comprises six education initiatives — the School Transformation Program (STP) for private schools, the Government School Transformation Program (GSTP) for public schools, the Access for All (AFA) scholarship program, the Teachers Training Academy (TTA), the Sunbird Emerging Leaders' Fellowship (SELF), and a Skill Development vocational training track — plus two community development programs (Solar Energy access and SALT Farming). The trust reports 65,791 annual scholarships, 38 schools and hostels built, and 4,93,261 lives impacted over 11 years; STP-transformed schools report a 75% enrollment increase, 63.93% improvement in academic performance, and 100% improvement in infrastructure. There is no proprietary technology platform — operations rely on standard office tools, donor management systems, and field reporting.
Sunbird Trust's revenue model rests on three streams: recurring child sponsorships at fixed annual price points (Rs 3,600 for tuition, Rs 22,000 for boarding, Rs 25,600 for combined tuition and hostel); one-time infrastructure donations (schools, hostels, toilets, solar lights, computers, library books); and corporate CSR partnerships with named companies including Axis Bank, NTT DATA, Schneider Electric India Foundation, Vedant Fashions, Jefferies, and Manipal Foundation. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, using school partnerships, volunteer networks, and CSR engagement to acquire both donors and beneficiaries. Annual financial figures are not publicly disclosed.
Sunbird Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sunbird Trust
- Legal name
- Sunbird Trust
- Website
- https://sunbirdtrust.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sunbird Trust is a Bangalore-registered non-profit that delivers education, teacher training, scholarship, and community development programs in remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India, serving children, schools, and youth across seven states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sunbird Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Non-Profit Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)
Keywords
Where Sunbird Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bangalore
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sunbird Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Child Sponsorship Programme: Individual donors sponsor specific children at fixed annual amounts (Rs 3,600 for school fees, Rs 22,000 for boarding fees, Rs 25,600 for combined tuition and hostel). Payments can be made monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually via online transfer, cheque, or demand draft.
- One-Time Donations: Donors contribute one-time funds for specific purposes such as building infrastructure (schools, hostels, toilets, classrooms), providing amenities (solar lights, clean water), educational equipment (computers, projectors, library books, teaching aids), and recreational facilities.
- Corporate CSR Partnerships: Corporations (Axis Bank, NTT DATA, Schneider Electric India Foundation, Vedant Fashions, Jefferies, and others) provide funding through CSR programmes to support specific initiatives such as school construction, sanitation facilities, solar lamps, and skill development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Rs 3,600 per year — tuition fees sponsorship for one child |
| Subscription | Annual | Rs 22,000 per year — boarding fees sponsorship for one child |
| Subscription | Annual | Rs 25,600 per year — combined tuition and hostel sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | One-time infrastructure and amenity donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sunbird Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sunbird Trust is a non-profit registered Trust that delivers education and community development programs in remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India. Its core offerings include school transformation programs, scholarships (Access for All), teacher training, vocational skill development, and community interventions such as solar energy provision and sustainable (SALT) farming.
Product overview
Sunbird Trust offers a comprehensive suite of education and community development programs unified under its 'Peace Through Education' mission. The core education portfolio includes the School Transformation Program (STP) for private schools, the Government School Transformation Program (GSTP) for public schools, the Access for All Program (AFA) for scholarships, the Teachers Training Academy (TTA) for educator development, the Sunbird Emerging Leaders' Fellowship (SELF) for graduate employability, and Skill Development for vocational training. Community programs encompass Solar Energy access and SALT Farming for sustainable livelihoods. These programs work together to address the holistic needs of remote and conflict-affected communities in Northeast India.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- School Transformation Program (STP): A 360-degree initiative to turn under-resourced schools in remote and conflict-affected areas into centers of excellence and peace.
- Access for All Program (AFA)
- Government School Transformation Program (GSTP)
- Teachers Training Academy (TTA)
- Skill Development
- Sunbird Emerging Leaders' Fellowship (SELF)
Products and services
- School Transformation Program (STP) A 360-degree initiative to transform under-resourced private schools in remote and conflict-affected areas of Northeast India into centers of excellence, focusing on infrastructure improvement, school leadership development, pedagogical excellence, and student leadership.
- Access for All Program (AFA) Scholarship and financial support program that bridges the gap in educational opportunities for children from remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India by addressing financial barriers to schooling and boarding.
- Government School Transformation Program (GSTP) Comprehensive intervention program to transform under-resourced government schools in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh into schools of excellence, addressing infrastructure, pedagogy, school leadership, and student outcomes.
- Teachers Training Academy (TTA) Professional development academy for government teachers in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh, providing knowledge, skills, and resources to create effective, engaging, and culturally responsive learning environments through specialized workshops and training modules.
- Sunbird Emerging Leaders' Fellowship (SELF) 12-month fellowship placing Sunbird-sponsored graduates in underserved schools and communities across Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya, equipping them with practical skills, mentorship, and career-focused training.
- Skill Development Vocational training initiative empowering youth from Northeast India with employable skills through partnerships with top institutions, covering sectors including hotel management, retail, beauty and wellness, construction, electrical and electronics, solar panel technician, nursing aide, textile skills, coding, and business.
- Solar Energy Program Provides sustainable solar electricity access to remote villages of Northeast India, offering lighting solutions for communities without reliable power connectivity.
- SALT Farming Sustainable agriculture technique transforming hilly terrains, enabling communities to practice agriculture in challenging geographic conditions.
- Child Sponsorship Programme Subscription-style programme where individual donors sponsor specific children at fixed annual amounts covering tuition, boarding, or combined tuition-and-hostel fees, with monthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual payment options.
Quantifiable outcome
- 65,791 annual scholarships provided; 38 schools and hostels built; 4,93,261 lives impacted across Northeast India
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sunbird Trust
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sunbird Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sunbird Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ANAHA TrustcoreMr. C Balalgopal, Trustee of ANAHA Trust, serves as an advisor and supporter of Sunbird Trust. He has stated that Sunbird does more to bring peace and harmony in conflict zones than any other initiative he can think of, indicating a strategic alignment around peace-building through education.
- Azim Premji UniversitycoreAzim Premji University conducted a three-day workshop at Sunbird's Teacher Training Academy in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on foundational literacy and balanced literacy approaches for teachers. The university also conducted workshops on multilingual education and culturally relevant practices.
- Indian Army (Assam Rifles and 5 Mountain Brigade)coreThe Indian Army, including Assam Rifles and the 5 Mountain Brigade at Aalo, provides significant logistical and infrastructure support to Sunbird Trust. The Army has helped construct staff quarters, hostels, classroom blocks, playgrounds, and has provided transportation support in Papikrung and other remote areas in Shi-Yomi district. Two more Army-approved construction projects are underway in Papikrung.
- Navnirmiti Learning FoundationminorNavnirmiti Learning Foundation serves as the knowledge partner for foundational numeracy sessions at Sunbird's Teacher Training Academy, providing hands-on mathematical teaching methodologies using 'Do, Discover and Discuss' pedagogical approaches.
- Government of Arunachal PradeshcoreIn March 2024, Sunbird Trust signed an MoU with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to take up 10 government schools under its Government School Transformation Programme in Shi-Yomi district. The government invited Sunbird Trust to conduct needs analysis assessments across representative schools in the district.
- Ramakrishna MissionminorRamakrishna Mission partners with Sunbird Trust in supporting education initiatives in Northeast India, sharing expertise and resources for programme delivery.
- Teach for IndiaminorTeach for India contributes to Sunbird Trust's programmes by providing fellowship alumni who work with the organisation and by sharing pedagogical expertise. Several Sunbird staff members are Teach for India alumni.
- Adhyayan FoundationminorAdhyayan Foundation supports Sunbird Trust's education programmes through strategic expertise and funding for school transformation initiatives.
- GoonjminorGoonj, a community development organisation, collaborates with Sunbird Trust on community development programmes in Northeast India, potentially around livelihood support and resource mobilisation.
- One Future CollectiveminorOne Future Collective supports Sunbird Trust as a social impact partner for community development programmes.
- SAATHIYAminorSAATHIYA partners with Sunbird Trust for the Skill Development initiative, providing vocational training in Hotel Management (Food & Beverage). Tonyo Sareng from Manipur completed a SAATHIYA programme and was placed at Welcomhotel by ITC, Bangalore.
- Bangalore Baptist HospitalminorBangalore Baptist Hospital partnered with Sunbird Trust for the Skill Development initiative, providing six-month training in Home Health Care. Doipakkim from Manipur completed his diploma there and was hired as a nursing assistant at the same hospital.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sunbird Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Akanksha Foundation: Indian non-profit running school transformation programmes and after-school support for underserved children, comparable to Sunbird's STP/AFA model of combining infrastructure, scholarships, and pedagogy in low-income communities.
- Goonj: India-based non-profit addressing education, livelihood, and rural community development through donor-driven material and infrastructure support; comparable community-development orientation in underserved Indian regions.
- Smile Foundation: Indian non-profit operating child education, livelihood, and community development programmes with corporate CSR partnerships — closely comparable funding mix and programme architecture to Sunbird Trust.
- Barefoot College: India-based rural development NGO combining education, solar energy, and livelihood programmes in remote villages; particularly comparable to Sunbird's solar energy and SALT farming community programmes in remote Northeast villages.
- Teach For India: Fellowship-based non-profit placing graduates in low-income schools across India; structurally similar to Sunbird's Sunbird Emerging Leaders' Fellowship (SELF) and overlapping through shared alumni and pedagogical partnership.
- Magic Bus India Foundation: Indian non-profit running child education, life-skills, and livelihood programmes for underprivileged youth with corporate CSR partners; comparable beneficiary cohort and CSR-driven funding model to Sunbird.
Broad incumbents
- Azim Premji Foundation: Major Indian philanthropic foundation focused on improving equity and quality of education in underserved government schools, including teacher capacity building — directly comparable to Sunbird's GSTP and Teacher Training Academy work.
- Pratham Education Foundation: One of India's largest education NGOs running school transformation, teacher training, and learning programmes at national scale; comparable to Sunbird Trust's STP/GSTP/TTA programmes though at vastly larger geographic scope.
Emerging players
- BAIF Development Research Foundation: Indian rural development NGO with livelihood, agriculture, and community programmes in remote Indian regions; comparable to Sunbird's SALT farming and community development work though more agriculture-focused.
- RoundGlass Foundation: Philanthropic foundation supporting education, sports, and community health in underserved Indian regions; comparable mission to Sunbird Trust's holistic community development and education focus in Northeast India.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sunbird Trust social profiles
Digital presenceSunbird Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sunbird Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Sunbird Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sunbird Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sunbird Trust
What does Sunbird Trust do?
Sunbird Trust is a non-profit registered Trust that delivers education and community development programs in remote and conflict-affected regions of Northeast India. Its core offerings include school transformation programs, scholarships (Access for All), teacher training, vocational skill development, and community interventions such as solar energy provision and sustainable (SALT) farming.
Is Sunbird Trust a public or private company?
Sunbird Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sunbird Trust founded?
Sunbird Trust was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sunbird Trust based?
Sunbird Trust is headquartered in Bangalore, India, in the Asia region.
How does Sunbird Trust make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Child Sponsorship Programme is the primary driver. The others are one-Time Donations and corporate CSR Partnerships.
Who are Sunbird Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Akanksha Foundation, Goonj, Smile Foundation, Barefoot College, Teach For India and Magic Bus India Foundation. Broad incumbents are Azim Premji Foundation and Pratham Education Foundation. Emerging players are BAIF Development Research Foundation and RoundGlass Foundation.
Does Sunbird Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sunbird Trust.
What industry is Sunbird Trust in?
Sunbird Trust's product category is Education Non-Profit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAG, Child Protection & Child Rights. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.