India has a large number of local social entrepreneurs and grassroots initiatives working on various social issues in rural and urban areas. They play a significant role in shaping the social fabric of the nation, tackling grassroots challenges and bringing government schemes and programmes to the underserved communities. This role was duly acknowledged and appreciated by Governments and Development Actors across the globe during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the grassroots initiatives and social enterprises effectively provided last mile delivery of services.
However, these social entrepreneurs and enterprises face several challenges that hinder their ability to bring sustainable change on the ground including lack of structured approach in their work and in presenting their work, dearth of resources and inability to access and tap locally available and in-country resources. In addition, with India emerging as a growing economic power, international donors too have started investing in other countries.
On the other hand, there are many rising opportunities. The Government of India is proactively leading the transformation of the social landscape by reaching marginalized communities through social development schemes, programmes and enabling legal mechanisms. India’s middle-class segment is also growing, along with rise in charitable giving. Additionally, being the first nation to legalize corporate social responsibility, India is providing a structured boost to development endeavours at the grassroots.
Smile Foundation, in alignment with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, has been working to empower social grassroots initiatives as well as social entrepreneurs towards self-reliance and sustainability. Empowering Grassroots is rooted in the belief that it is important to develop capacities and harness the capabilities of social change makers and grassroots initiatives, in turn enabling them to address the needs of the civil society by supplementing and complementing the efforts of the government and in line with the global development strategies, for gaining resilience, future readiness, credibility and local support.
Built on Smile Foundation’s 20 years of extensive experience working with social entrepreneurs and local initiatives in India, Empowering Grassroots brings an India focused program to strengthen the capabilities of social change makers and grassroots organizations towards better governance, strengthened leadership, resilience and sustainability. The program enables them to gain credibility and support. It also helps them become self-sufficient by honing their skills in identifying, accessing and mobilizing locally available resources.
Empowering Grassroots Initiative launched for capacity building of NGOs/CBOs.
Partnered with Wilde Ganzen Foundation to scale up the SVP projects. Joined Together for Change Alliance.
Completed training for 500 Grassroots level Organizations from India.
Launch of Change the Game Academy global program. Co-created the classroom course of Local Fundraising and Mobilising Support. Chosen as Nodal partner for Asia region for CtGA
Adapted classroom courses into virtual courses. A versatile pool of Trainers and Dedicated Team in place
Training Initiatives Consolidated as Change the Game India. Completed training for 710 grassroot level organizations globally. A versatile pool of trainers and a dedicated team in place.
Mr Santanu Mishra, a law graduate, a Company Secretary, and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), specializes in strategic management, enterprise transformation and Institution building. After an illustrious career in the corporate sector spanning over 16 years and holding various leadership positions, he started his own practice as a Management Consultant and has been working with several Indian and global brands since then.
In 2002, Mr Mishra joined hands with some of his like-minded friends to set up Smile Foundation. He has spearheaded the scaling up of the organization since the inception, helping it evolve from an idea to an Indian social institution of repute.
Currently, he is playing the role of a mentor to the management team at Smile Foundation. His leadership and vision as a social change-maker have been widely recognized by several forums including the Social Impact Leaders & Change Makers Award by Business World, Sustainability Leader of the Year by UBS Forums & IBM, Bharatiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar from the then President of India late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, and the Odisha Living Legend Award by Odisha Diary. He is also a regular contributor to esteemed publications including the Economic Times, Business World, Times of India and Indian Express
Puneet has a rich experience of over 25 years marked by remarkable achievements and impactful leadership in the fields of banking, sustainable development, fundraising, marketing, and communications. He has led organisations including Care India, Helpage India, Dainik Bhaskar Group and Citi India. Throughout his career, Puneet has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to drive positive change and achieve significant milestones. As the Executive Director at Smile, he envisions building it as an impact institution of excellence in India in the coming years. Puneet loves to read, and enjoys cooking and gardening in his free time.
Subroto Roy has done his BE (Civil) from the National Institute of Technology followed by PGDM from the Xavier Institute of Management. He has an experience of more than 24 years from organizations such as Development Alternatives, Educomp, Wish Foundation and Tara Livelihood Academy. His journey with Smile Foundation started with leading the programmes division and he is now part of the operations and management team.
Sarita holds M.Phil. in Sociology from the Central University of Hyderabad and a post-Graduate Certificate in Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. Sarita comes to us with 23+ years of experience at the national & international levels with government & private sector consulting and with development sector organizations in providing image-building plans and advising the organizations for innovating social responsibility plans & exercises.
She has spearheaded initiatives for caring for the community, gender specialists, and contributing to the underprivileged communities by supporting a wide range of socio-economic, educational and gender equality initiatives. She holds expertise in designing and providing technical assistance to community-based & non-governmental organizations in program development, community assessment, evaluation and governance.
Mukesh George is a passionate facilitator, mentor, and coach with more than 11 years of experience in Training and Development. He is a Master Trainer for local fundraising and mobilizing support trained by the Management for Development Foundation (MDF). He is a Non-Violence Communication practitioner. He also holds a certificate in Social Ethical and Emotional Learning (Developed by) Emory University.
Isha comes with 8 years of work experience as a human rights lawyer, and in the policy advocacy space. She has previously worked with organisations such as Magic Bus India, SEWA, AVPN and grassroots organisations such as Utthan and Centre for Social Justice. Isha’s background includes managing flagship programs, such as the USAID health initiative in Madhya Pradesh, mobilizing philanthropy in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and leading a fellowship program for peace, justice, and conflict resolution. At Smile, she is working on mobilizing resources for Empowering Grassroots vertical which builds capacities of community based organisations.
Sindhu Nambiath, a national trainer for Mobilising Support and Scaling-up Management, holds a Master’s in Social Work from MG University, Kerala, and an M. Phil in Public Health from JNU. With over two decades of experience in the social development sector across India & South Asia, she collaborates with government entities, the UN, multi/bilateral agencies, and national organizations. Her expertise includes social policy & advocacy, evidence-based advocacy, research & evaluation, knowledge management, program management, capacity development, networking, partnership & organizational development. She is a recipient of JRF and SRF from UGC, Government of India.
Amol Dhakane, with more than 17 years of diverse experience in Sales, Marketing, Business Strategy, and Operations, has worked with Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless, and British Petroleum. Currently COO at NuSocia and Master Trainer at Smile Foundation, he is dedicated to grassroots impact through training and coaching.
Sujata Raghavan, with three decades of experience, emphasizes communication as pivotal for unlocking individual potential and achieving collective goals. Her multifaceted role spans training rural communities, building grassroots media networks, editing, writing, translating articles, and contributing as Editor and Project Manager at Charkha Development Communication Network. As a national trainer, she focuses on mobilizing support for EG.
Shantanu Basu is an accomplished Mobilizing Support Trainer with expertise in Soft Skills, Behavioral Training, Sales, Coaching, Team Building, Management, and Leadership with a strong track record of delivering exceptional results in Learning and Development.
Parvathy Ganeshan is a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the development sector. Holding a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and a graduate degree in Education, she started work by coaching and mentoring high school girls. Currently, she successfully manages an online coaching center for school students and is a key member of the leadership team at ATMA Foundation, a development organization. Additionally, she serves as a certified trainer of Local Fundraising for Smile Foundation.
Manju Menon, Co-Founder and CEO of NuSocia brings 18 years of experience in Social Impact. A graduate of Goldman Sachs 10K women program, she’s pursuing a PhD in Social Entrepreneurship at TISS Mumbai. Associated with Empowering Grassroots since 2016, she’s an International Master Trainer on Local Fundraising and Mobilizing Support.
A postgraduate s in Sociology and Extension Education, Santa is a dedicated social worker with over a decade of experience in development organizations. Passionate about impacting lives, she founded skill training centers in Bangalore’s slums, initiated POSH, and established ICC as a leading international organization. Santa has trained more than 100 institutions on child safety compliance.
Karen Grace Paul, a seasoned trainer with 16 years in education, HR, and trauma-informed services, excels in creating and managing diverse training programs. Her expertise spans in-person and online modules, staff development, team effectiveness, capacity building, fundraising, and training development across all organizational levels.
Kaushik Mitra is a marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, brand positioning, and multi-channel communications. Past roles include senior positions in communication agencies managing Fortune 500 brands in India with expertise in advertising, direct marketing, PR, digital marketing, alliances, and loyalty programs.
Sudipta, with more than 30 years of training and entrepreneurial expertise, co-founded Ideas Box under Amar Chitra Katha. She excels in curriculum development, training delivery, event design, and TV show production. A skilled storyteller, she engages in business and impacts storytelling for development organizations and the corporate sector.
Richa is a seasoned Entrepreneur, Life Coach, and Trainer with over 18 years of experience. As the International Master Trainer on Local Fundraising, she has empowered students, corporates, schools, and development organizations. Richa is the Founder of the Kaivalya Foundation, supporting individuals in achieving work-life harmony. Additionally, she is a Reiki Master.
Vivek, a postgraduate in Medical & Psychiatric Social Work, serves as a Medical Social Service Officer at AIIMS-Delhi. With diverse experience as a Life-skill trainer and a passion for Nonviolent Communication (NVC) since 2010, he’s also an avid reader, cinephile, and creator of sketch notes & posters. Vivek has developed training material, co-authored an NVC book, and earned certification as a Trainer of Mobilising Support by CtGA in 2023.
Manjusha with postgraduate degrees in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai, and Law from Pune University, specializes in community mobilization. She has a background in social initiatives with Adivasi communities in Maharashtra, focusing on designing curricula and training for CBOs and village-level workers. Her work in Empowering Grassroots involves training and mobilizing support, with a focus on women’s enterprises, forest-based livelihoods, and legal aid centers in tribal areas.
Sindhu Nambiath, a national trainer for Mobilising Support and Scaling-up Management, holds a Master’s in Social Work from MG University, Kerala, and an M. Phil in Public Health from JNU. With over two decades of experience in the social development sector across India & South Asia, she collaborates with government entities, the UN, multi/bilateral agencies, and national organizations. Her expertise includes social policy & advocacy, evidence-based advocacy, research & evaluation, knowledge management, program management, capacity development, networking, partnership & organizational development. She is a recipient of JRF and SRF from UGC, Government of India.
Manju Menon, Co-Founder and CEO of NuSocia brings 18 years of experience in Social Impact. A graduate of Goldman Sachs 10K women program, she’s pursuing a PhD in Social Entrepreneurship at TISS Mumbai. Associated with Empowering Grassroots since 2016, she’s an International Master Trainer on Local Fundraising and Mobilizing Support.
Sudipta, with more than 30 years of training and entrepreneurial expertise, co-founded Ideas Box under Amar Chitra Katha. She excels in curriculum development, training delivery, event design, and TV show production. A skilled storyteller, she engages in business and impacts storytelling for development organizations and the corporate sector.
Amol Dhakane, with more than 17 years of diverse experience in Sales, Marketing, Business Strategy, and Operations, has worked with Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless, and British Petroleum. Currently COO at NuSocia and Master Trainer at Smile Foundation, he is dedicated to grassroots impact through training and coaching.
A postgraduate s in Sociology and Extension Education, Santa is a dedicated social worker with over a decade of experience in development organizations. Passionate about impacting lives, she founded skill training centers in Bangalore’s slums, initiated POSH, and established ICC as a leading international organization. Santa has trained more than 100 institutions on child safety compliance.
Richa is a seasoned Entrepreneur, Life Coach, and Trainer with over 18 years of experience. As the International Master Trainer on Local Fundraising, she has empowered students, corporates, schools, and development organizations. Richa is the Founder of the Kaivalya Foundation, supporting individuals in achieving work-life harmony. Additionally, she is a Reiki Master.
Sujata Raghavan, with three decades of experience, emphasizes communication as pivotal for unlocking individual potential and achieving collective goals. Her multifaceted role spans training rural communities, building grassroots media networks, editing, writing, translating articles, and contributing as Editor and Project Manager at Charkha Development Communication Network. As a national trainer, she focuses on mobilizing support for EG.
Karen Grace Paul, a seasoned trainer with 16 years in education, HR, and trauma-informed services, excels in creating and managing diverse training programs. Her expertise spans in-person and online modules, staff development, team effectiveness, capacity building, fundraising, and training development across all organizational levels.
Vivek, a postgraduate in Medical & Psychiatric Social Work, serves as a Medical Social Service Officer at AIIMS-Delhi. With diverse experience as a Life-skill trainer and a passion for Nonviolent Communication (NVC) since 2010, he’s also an avid reader, cinephile, and creator of sketch notes & posters. Vivek has developed training material, co-authored an NVC book, and earned certification as a Trainer of Mobilising Support by CtGA in 2023.
Shantanu Basu is an accomplished Mobilizing Support Trainer with expertise in Soft Skills, Behavioral Training, Sales, Coaching, Team Building, Management, and Leadership with a strong track record of delivering exceptional results in Learning and Development.
Kaushik Mitra is a marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, brand positioning, and multi-channel communications. Past roles include senior positions in communication agencies managing Fortune 500 brands in India with expertise in advertising, direct marketing, PR, digital marketing, alliances, and loyalty programs.
Manjusha with postgraduate degrees in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai, and Law from Pune University, specializes in community mobilization. She has a background in social initiatives with Adivasi communities in Maharashtra, focusing on designing curricula and training for CBOs and village-level workers. Her work in Empowering Grassroots involves training and mobilizing support, with a focus on women’s enterprises, forest-based livelihoods, and legal aid centers in tribal areas.
Parvathy Ganeshan is a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the development sector. Holding a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and a graduate degree in Education, she started work by coaching and mentoring high school girls. Currently, she successfully manages an online coaching center for school students and is a key member of the leadership team at ATMA Foundation, a development organization. Additionally, she serves as a certified trainer of Local Fundraising for Smile Foundation.
Empowering Grassroots Initiative launched for capacity building of social initiatives and social entrepreneurs.
Partnered with Wilde Ganzen Foundation to scale up the SVP projects. Joined Together for Change Alliance.
Completed training for 500 Grassroots level initiatives from India.
Launch of Change the Game Academy global program. Co-created the classroom course of Local Fundraising and Mobilising Support. Chosen as Nodal partner for Asia region for CtGA
Adapted classroom courses into virtual courses. A versatile pool of Trainers and Dedicated Team in place
Completed training for 710 Grassroots level initiatives globally. A versatile pool of trainers and a dedicated team in place.
Empowering Grassroots Initiative launched for capacity building of social initiatives and social entrepreneurs.
Partnered with Wilde Ganzen Foundation to scale up the SVP projects. Joined Together for Change Alliance.
Completed training for 500 Grassroots level initiatives from India.
Launch of Change the Game Academy global program. Co-created the classroom course of Local Fundraising and Mobilising Support. Chosen as Nodal partner for Asia region for CtGA
Adapted classroom courses into virtual courses. A versatile pool of Trainers and Dedicated Team in place
Completed training for 710 Grassroots level initiatives globally. A versatile pool of trainers and a dedicated team in place.
Punjab
Goa
Uttarakhand
Rajasthan
Himachal Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Delhi
Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Telangana
Tamilnadu
Odisha
Chattisgarh
Bihar
Jharkhand
West Bengal
Assam
Tripura
Manipur
Chandigarh
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