In 2021–22, the Rotary CSR India Grant model was launched to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds of companies to do community service projects.
The results achieved so far are encouraging. Total CSR collections, including cash contributions from clubs, have increased more than fivefold—from $4.02 million in 2021–22 to $20.92 million in 2025–26. Considering the aggregate TRF contribution in Zone 4,5,6 and 7 of $45.39 million, the CSR contribution of $20.92 million last year represents 46 per cent of total contribution. Thus, CSR funds have the potential to become a really significant sources of funding for Rotary projects in India.
For 2026–27, we should set an ambitious but achievable target of mobilising over $42 million in CSR funds, a 100 per cent growth over 2025–26. The estimated CSR funds available in this Rotary year are ₹59,600 crore, equivalent to around $5.21 billion. Against this enormous pool of corporate funding, Rotary’s current mobilisation represents only a very small proportion.
The challenge is not the availability of funds, but creating awareness on preparedness, capability and outreach among Rotary clubs. At present, only a few RI districts in India are aggressively pursuing CSR grants. While some RI districts have started making progress, most of them are yet to develop a successful and sustained CSR programme.
Why are many districts and clubs not pursuing CSR funds aggressively? The principal reasons are: Lack of adequate awareness about the Rotary CSR India Grant model; a perception that CSR grants are complicated and difficult to obtain; little CSR awareness and training programmes at the district level; and many clubs don’t have a charitable entity that is registered under relevant laws and sections of Companies Act to avail CSR funds for their service projects.
CSR fundraising must receive visibility and organisational attention comparable to global and district grants.
Also, there is lack of a dedicated resource person or team to guide clubs through the CSR process, and many clubs have little exposure to the successful CSR projects already being implemented by Rotary across India. Some Rotarians also display lack of confidence in approaching corporates and presenting their club projects professionally. These challenges can be addressed through structured training, mentoring and support for club members.
Proposed strategy
To achieve our mobilisation target for this year, CSR fundraising must receive a level of visibility and organisational attention comparable to that given to other TRF programmes like global and district grants.
CSR funding receives limited time and attention. In many Rotary programmes like Disha, only 15–30 minutes are devoted to CSR projects. This needs to change; CSR funding should be treated as a major strategic avenue for Rotary in India. A two-pronged strategy is proposed: First, create widespread awareness and capability through district-level CSR seminars; and second, form a dedicated CSR Resource Team in districts to provide continuing support to Rotary clubs. These two initiatives, along with the support of RISAO-CSR team and the Rotary CSR National Committee, can create a nationwide CSR movement.
Every district should organise a CSR seminar as a practical workshop enabling Rotarians to understand how to actually secure CSR funding. Resource persons from the RISAO team and the CSR National Committee should be invited to guide, motivate and support the districts. The District Resource Team should facilitate and support the mechanism, not take away the ownership of CSR fundraising from the clubs.
Every club must be encouraged to identify → Prepare → Approach → Follow Up → Secure → Execute → Report. This should become the basic CSR cycle for Rotary clubs, and will enable the organisation to move from a largely opportunity-driven approach to a structured and measurable CSR fundraising programme.
Rotary has several inherent advantages when approaching corporates, and these strengths need to be presented more effectively to the corporate sector. The key is to expand CSR fundraising from a relatively small number of successful districts to a much larger number of districts and clubs across India.
The writer is a past governor of RID 3011, and convener, Rotary National CSR Committee