Resource Alliance's India NGO Awards are an innovative mechanism designed to promote professional and ethical standards in India’s nonprofit sector. The Awards recognize NGOs for their outstanding practice, achievements and financial sustainability. By encouraging an accountable and effective nonprofit sector, the India NGO Awards foster its long-term sustainability and contribute to an enabling environment in which philanthropic resources are deployed more effectively and efficiently for greater impact.
In 2010, a record 210 organizations applied for the Awards — reflecting their desire for openness, transparency and accountability. The 15 regional award winners demonstrate exceptional stewardship of philanthropic resources and exemplify how passion, skill and community ownership can impact millions of lives.
Heather Grady and Ashvin Dayal (center two) with hosts.
The Rockefeller Foundation is particularly pleased to see that so many of this year's finalists utilize participatory approaches to development, engaging the communities in which they work in program design and monitoring. The three winners exemplify this approach. One prime example of this approach can be found in our small category winner, the Developmental Association for Human Advancement (DEHAT), an autonomous voluntary developmental association that works collaboratively with the community it serves to address the root causes of problems plaguing its disadvantaged members. Another, in the medium category, is the Pardada Pardadi Educational Society (PPES), which seeks to empower women by providing free education and vocational training. PPES requires engagement of mothers as a prerequisite to enrolling a girl in their programs and includes parents and community leaders on their Board to ensure that the community is fully engaged in their work. Finally, in the large category, is the Akanksha Foundation, which seeks to achieve transformative change by equipping children living in slums with education and skills. Akanksha uses an innovative public-private partnership model whereby financial and administrative responsibility is eventually transferred to the community. These organizations are representative of the tremendous work of all 15 regional awardees.
2010 India NGO awardees
The Rockefeller Foundation proudly supports the India NGO Awards. In its nearly 100 year history, the Foundation has been at the vanguard of global philanthropy, supporting nonprofits throughout the world that contribute to the well-being of humankind. It is our belief that a healthy nonprofit sector is a vital tool for enabling the poor and vulnerable to become more resilient and to access opportunities that improve their lives.
