AROH Foundation
Ever donated a few bucks to a cause and wondered, ‘Did it really make a difference?’ Well, think about scaling that up. The power of corporate social responsibility in India alone is worth billions and NGOs are the engines turning that money into tangible change. It’s a massive, impactful industry that’s reshaping our society.
We often think of corporations and nonprofits as worlds apart, right? But here’s a surprising fact: some of the most innovative social solutions are born from partnerships between these two. It’s like finding the perfect recipe where the business acumen of a corporation meets the heart and soul of an NGO, creating something truly extraordinary.
Leading this transformative movement is the AROH Foundation, founded in 2001 by Dr. Neelam Gupta. With a childhood experience of seeing stark poverty, Dr. Gupta gave her life to social change, culminating in the creation of AROH. Today, the foundation operates across 27 Indian states, focusing on education, skill development, and holistic rural development. Dr. Gupta’s vision has made AROH a trusted partner for corporations for meaningful CSR initiatives, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and sustainable impact.
The AROH Foundation works with corporations an implementing partner for their CSR initiatives. They design and execute multi-sectoral projects, with the corporations’ CSR objectives. Their work spans education, health, water and sanitation, skill development, and women’s empowerment. With technology and innovation, AROH takes care of efficient data management and impact assessment. Successful projects like the Reserve Bank of India’s Centers for Financial Literacy, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Yojana, and the Hriday Project in Rajasthan show AROH’s ability to bring social change.
In the spotlight is founder Dr. Neelam Gupta in an interview for our prestigious “India’s Leading NGOs Driving Corporate Social Responsibility, 2025” edition. Learn from her insights and valuable lessons as an entrepreneur to excel and make it the best company.
Prime Insights: What inspired the establishment of your NGO, and how has it changed over the years?
Dr. Neelam Gupta’s childhood experience of witnessing poverty firsthand inspired her to establish the AROH Foundation in 2001. Over the years, it has evolved into a multispectral NGO focusing on education, skill development, and holistic rural development across 27 Indian states.
Prime Insights: What are the core focus areas of your NGO in corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
AROH Foundation’s core CSR focus areas are education, skill development, health, water and sanitation, women’s empowerment, natural resource management, and renewable energy. They aim to get rid of poverty and increase sustainable development in India.
“AROH Foundation is not just driving CSR—it’s redefining impact, bridging gaps, and turning corporate goodwill into lasting social transformation.”
Prime Insights: How does your organization collaborate with corporations to implement impactful CSR initiatives?
The AROH Foundation collaborates with corporations by acting as an implementing partner for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. They design and execute multi-sectoral projects in areas such as education, health, water and sanitation, skill development, and women’s empowerment, with the corporations’ CSR objectives.
Prime Insights: Can you share some of the most successful CSR projects your NGO has done?
The AROH Foundation has successfully done notable CSR projects with prominent organizations:
Reserve Bank of India’s Centers for Financial Literacy CFL): Implemented the CFL initiative across various districts, empowering over 1.7 million individuals with financial literacy, helping informed financial decisions and economic stability.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY): Partnered with the Government of India’s flagship skill development program to provide market-driven skill training and job placements to about 2000 rural unemployed youth in top national and international firms.
Hriday Project in Rajasthan: Partnering with LIC Housing and Finance Ltd., AROH implemented the ‘Hriday’ project in 2021, for the holistic development of seven villages in Baran District, benefiting approximately 10,000 residents through interventions in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure.
Prime Insights: What role do technology and innovation play in your CSR initiatives?
The AROH Foundation uses technology and innovation into its CSR initiatives by having smart classrooms to improve educational experiences and using digital tools, web-based software, and mobile applications for efficient data management, execution, monitoring, and impact assessment, making sure of transparency and accountability throughout project lifecycles.
Prime Insights: How does your NGO measure the impact of its CSR programs on society and the environment?
The AROH Foundation measures the impact of its CSR programs by utilizing digital tools, web-based software, and mobile applications for data management, execution, monitoring, and impact evaluation. This approach looks after transparency and accountability throughout project lifecycles.
Prime Insights: What strategies do you use to engage communities and stakeholders in CSR initiatives?
The AROH Foundation engages communities and stakeholders in its CSR initiatives through participatory approaches, including community consultations, capacity-building workshops, and active involvement in project planning and execution. This strategy makes sure that programs are customized to local needs, building ownership and sustainability.
Prime Insights: Can you highlight a case study where your NGO’s CSR collaboration led to significant social change?
Project RISE is an ongoing AROH Foundation CSR initiative focused on uplifting underprivileged children in urban slums by improving enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes—empowering marginalized students with quality education to break the cycle of poverty.
Prime Insights: What are the key trends shaping the future of CSR, and how is your NGO adapting to them?
Key trends shaping the future of CSR include resource convergence, digital transformation, impact measurement, and stakeholder collaboration. The AROH Foundation adapts by aligning its projects with national development goals, using digital tools for monitoring impact, and building partnerships for sustainable, inclusive change.
Prime Insights: How does your NGO work with government bodies and policymakers to drive CSR efforts?
The AROH Foundation works closely with government bodies by aligning its CSR initiatives with national schemes and policies. It engages in capacity-building and policy dialogues to make sure that its projects complement public efforts, driving systemic, sustainable change.
Prime Insights: What initiatives does your NGO undertake to promote sustainable and long-term social development?
The AROH Foundation promotes sustainable social development through initiatives like Project RISE for quality education, holistic rural development programs enhancing health, sanitation, and livelihoods, and integrated water resource management. It builds local capacity through community empowerment and strategic partnerships with government and corporate stakeholders.
Prime Insights: How can businesses and individuals contribute to or partner with your NGO for CSR activities?
The AROH Foundation invites businesses and individuals to contribute through financial support, expertise, and resource sharing. These partnerships integrate CSR with sustainable development, driving transformative change in marginalized communities while complementing government initiatives.
Prime Insights: What are your NGO’s future goals and vision for expanding CSR efforts in India?
The AROH Foundation envisions broadening its CSR impact across India by deepening partnerships with government bodies and corporate entities, scaling successful initiatives in education, health, livelihoods, and fostering sustainable, systemic change in marginalized communities.
