Top NGOs in Maharashtra: Maharashtra, located in western India, is home to numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in various fields such as education, health, environment, women empowerment, child welfare, and more. Several nonprofits work hard for various categories to live a better society. Maharashtra, like many other Indian states, has several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in multiple fields, including education, health, the environment, human rights, and rural development.
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Why Maharashtra Needs Strong NGO Support?
Maharashtra, one of India’s most industrially advanced states, continues to face significant developmental challenges including urban poverty, rural distress, healthcare accessibility gaps, migration pressures, environmental degradation, and educational inequality. NGOs play a critical role in bridging these socio-economic gaps by delivering grassroots interventions, community development programs, and sustainable livelihood opportunities across both urban and rural regions.
What Are NGOs and Why Are They Important?
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are non-profit entities that operate independently to address social, environmental, educational, and humanitarian challenges. In Maharashtra, NGOs strengthen public welfare systems by supporting marginalized communities, promoting inclusive development, and implementing innovative social solutions where institutional reach remains limited.
Top NGOs in Maharashtra 2026
These NGOs cover a wide range of areas, including education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, children’s rights, environmental protection, senior citizens’ welfare, support for orphans, and food aid. NGOFeed has always been committed to serving the cause of the NGO sector. Keeping in line with this objective, we have compiled a list of authentic NGOs working towards the betterment of society. The list includes some of the most prominent NGOs in Maharashtra. In this section, you can find a list of the top NGOs, a brief overview in a tabular form, and some vital statistics on their work in the service of those in need.
12. Marathwada Gramin Vikas Sanstha (MGVS)
The organization, which was formed in 1995 in the Aurangabad region, focuses on improving the health of the people while promoting rural development. This organization helps the people of the region adopt healthy practices by promoting initiatives related to rural sanitation and health awareness. The organization also helps the people of the region generate employment by empowering people through self-help groups. Furthermore, it carries out various welfare initiatives that benefit many districts of the region. These initiatives are significant in solving various social and economic problems. Through such consistent efforts, the organization helps uplift the people of the region while promoting sustainable development.
Impact:
- Rural sanitation and health awareness initiatives
- Employment generation and self-help group support
- Community welfare programs across multiple districts
11. Swades Foundation
The organization, founded in 2000 and operating in Raigad District, focuses on rural development, access to water, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. The organization strives to enhance the quality of life for these underprivileged communities through integrated village development programs. The organization has been successful in improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, thereby improving the health and hygiene of these communities. Furthermore, the organization facilitates livelihood generation through skill development and entrepreneurship training, enabling the people to become self-independent. Through these efforts, the organization continues to empower these rural communities to bring about sustainable changes in their lives.
Impact:
- Integrated village development improving rural infrastructure
- Access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities
- Livelihood generation through skill and entrepreneurship programs
10. Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme
Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme is an NGO established by Dr SD Gokhale in 1976 in Mumbai. The stimulus for this came from a group of parents affected by leprosy and thus shunned due to their deformities. Unfortunately, their children were also ignored and were not allowed to attend school. The mission of the organization is to diversify and strengthen its organisational competency to develop and implement strategies and programs to enhance the capacities of children, families and communities through empowerment, participation and advocacy. To spread its presence to fifty backward and most backward districts, including urban slums.
| Name | Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme |
| Types of Registration | Non-governmental Organization |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Late Founder President Dr S.D. Gokhale |
| Area of Work | We work on Education, Health, Senior Citizens Community & Livelihood. |
| Official Website | www.caspindia.org |
| Address | CASP Bhavan, Survey No.132/2, Plot No.3, Pashan- Baner Link Road, Pune 411021 |
| Contact Details | info@caspindia.org |
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9. IDEA Foundation
The Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) is an NGO based in Pune, Maharashtra. We are serving underprivileged children and women through education and skills programs. We started with a team of qualified, experienced social scientists and workers dealing with marginalised people’s education and development. It started to adopt a holistic approach to reduce school dropouts. IDEA began its work in a slum in 2002 with a study centre and later expanded its work to include educational sponsorship for High school children. It also started Skill development courses for women and youth in 2008.
| Name | Initiatives in Development and Education for All |
| Types of Registration | Non-Profit Organization |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Dr Usha Pillai |
| Area of Work | We work in Education, Women & Child Development & Skill Development. |
| Official Website | www.ideafoundation.org.in |
| Address | Survey Number: 18/2/6B, B-4, Chaitanya Society, Brahmachaitanya Society lane, Near Ambedkar Chowk, Warje, Pune – 411058. |
| Contact Details | contact@ideafoundation.org.in |
8. Catalysts For Social Action
Catalysts for Social Action (CSA) is an NGOs in Maharashtra that has worked in holistic child care for the last 15 years. We work in adoption, healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, education, skill training, and livelihood. The NGO’s mission is to build capabilities of the child care and protection systems to ensure vulnerable children are provided with the appropriate care and support & are guided towards their full potential. Catalysts for Social Action meticulously tries to enhance every aspect of underprivileged children’s lives, like health, nutrition, education, life skills, emotional well-being, sports and extracurriculars, to equip them for building a fulfilling life.
| Name | Catalysts For Social Action |
| Types of Registration | Non-governmental Organization |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Vipul Jain, Shibani Jain and Bharati Dasgupta |
| Area of Work | We work on Education, Health, Child Development & Livelihood. |
| Official Website | www.csa.org.in |
| Address | 711 & 712, Bhaveshwar Arcade Annex, Nityanand Nagar, LBS Marg, Near Shreyas Cinema, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA – 400086. |
| Contact Details | info@csa.org.in |
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7. Cuddles Foundation
Our vision is to give every child fighting cancer a chance to survive it. We are a child-centric organization – if faced with a decision between budget and child survival, we have always chosen the latter. We work through partnerships with the government and charitable hospitals that treat underprivileged children with cancer. They track our patients’ progress through our FoodHeals™ App, ensuring children are completing treatment and improving their nutritional status. The App was designed to aid our nutritionists in their work while simultaneously increasing the overall accuracy, consistency and efficiency of our program.
| Name | Cuddles Foundation |
| Types of Registration | Non-Profit Organization |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Purnota Dutta Bahl |
| Area of Work | We work in Education, Women & Child Development & Skill Development. |
| Official Website | www.cuddlesfoundation.org |
| Address | 407, 4th Floor, Konark Shram, 156, Tardeo Rd, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034 |
| Contact Details | team@cuddlesfoundation.com |
6. Antarang Foundation
Antarang Foundation is a Mumbai-based NGO established in 2012. It bridges the gap between education and employment and envisions an India where every youth is passionate, productive and positively engaged in the career of their choice. With this vision in mind, they aim to empower and support 2.5 million young adults in transitioning into their desired career trajectories by 2030. Experience the steady growth of our idea, marked by many meaningful milestones that have shaped us into who we are today.
| Name | Antarang Foundation |
| Types of Registration | Non-profit Organization |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Priya Agrawal |
| Area of Work | Antarang works with youth ages 14 – 25 through our CareerAware and CareeReady programs. |
| Official Website | www.antarangfoundation.org |
| Address | C231, Tawari Pada, Dr SS Rao Marg, Lalbaug, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400012 |
| Contact Details | info@antarangfoundation.org |
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5. Annamrita Foundation
He believes that by eating food, man gets his physical existence and values ​​of culture and participates in the divine, for which he strives in his innermost being. Their purpose is to serve children with the same love and devotion that a mother does for herself; their vision is to help provide nutritious, sacred, high-quality food for underprivileged children in India. In line with the objectives of the Mid-Day Meal Project, they aim to increase school enrollment, reduce malnutrition and ensure that no child is deprived of education due to poverty and hunger.
| Name | Annamrita Foundation |
| Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Srila Prabhupada |
| Area of Work | To provide the mid-day meals to school children with funds from government and individual donations. |
| Official Website | www.annamrita.org |
| Address | Annamrita Foundation, Unit No. 5, Suvarna House, 1st Floor, Ramakrishna Chemburkar Marg, Opp. BPCL Materials Gate, Mahul, Chembur, Mumbai – 400074 |
| Contact Details | info@annamrita.org |
4. Alert India
ALERT-INDIA, founded in 1978, is committed to improving the health and social status of people affected by leprosy and other communicable diseases with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as tribal, women, children and disabled through people-centred disease control programs and community initiatives.
| Name | Alert India |
| Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Antony A Samy |
| Area of Work | We work on tribal, women, children and disabled people. |
| Official Website | www.alertindia.org |
| Address | B-9, MIRA MANSION, SION (WEST), MUMBAI, MH 400022 |
| Contact Details | info@alertindia.org |
3. United Way Mumbai
United Way Mumbai is a Mumbai-based NGO. It is a part of the 130+-year-old United Way movement involved in about 1800 communities across 41 countries worldwide. We improve lives by mobilising the caring power of communities. We work with NGOs, companies, individuals and government agencies to improve community conditions.
United Way Mumbai has identified five priority areas for interventions, based on years of experience and understanding of the Indian development sector. These areas of focus encompass the most pressing social problems in our communities. The solutions created by United Way Mumbai go beyond short-term charity and are designed to address the root causes of these problems.
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| Name | United Way Mumbai |
| Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Mihir Doshi |
| Area of Work | We work on Education, Health, Income, Environment, Public Safety & Social Inclusion. |
| Official Website | www.unitedwaymumbai.org |
| Address | 6th Floor, Mumbai Educational Trust, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400 050 |
| Contact Details | contact@unitedwaymumbai.org |
2. Akanksha Foundation
The Akanksha Foundation is an NGO based in Mumbai. We build the largest network of innovative schools that help children maximise their potential and influence systemic reform. For over 29 years, Akanksha has educated children from low-income communities across Mumbai and Pune – first, through our after-school centres, and since 2007, through the Akanksha Schools.
Akanksha is an education professional who focuses on improving schools through her School Project initiative. This model is based on the best practices of high-performing schools from around the world, as well as Akanksha’s own extensive experience in education. For over 30 years, Akanksha has served some of the poorest slum communities in Mumbai and Pune, and currently reaches nearly 12,000 children through 26 schools in these cities, as well as Nagpur. Additionally, Akanksha has an extensive alumni network of over 4000 individuals.
| Name | The Akanksha Foundation |
| Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Shaheen Mistri |
| Area of Work | The foundation works primarily in education, addressing non-formal education through the Akanksha centre and formal education by initiating school reform through The School Project. |
| Official Website | www.akanksha.org |
| Address | Voltas Premises, Z Block Building, 2nd floor, T B Kadam Marg, Chinchpokli -East, Mumbai – 400 033 |
| Contact Details | reetika.singh@akanksha.org |
1. Akshara Centre
Akshara Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Mumbai for women and children empowerment. We work in education, productive work and resistance to violence in their lives; they can become strong and independent contributing members—an NGO where all women can lead violent-free, dignified lives without discrimination. Akshara is a non-profit organization and resource center that works towards the empowerment of women and girls.
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We are led by a team of 14 people, supported by a strong volunteer base and a number of ambassadors who are dedicated to our cause. In addition, on the left, you will find our partners, Harassmap and Stand Up Against Violence, who are working with us to make India a more equitable society. Akshara is a project of FREA-India, a registered Trust with document number F1656 (BOM), and has an exemption from Income Tax under Section 80G. We are also registered under FCRA.
| Name | Akshara |
| Types of Registration | Not For Profit |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Nandita Shah |
| Area of Work | We work on Women Empowers |
| Official Website | www.aksharacentre.org |
| Address | Dhuru Bldg, 2nd floor, opp Bank of Maharashtra Gokhale Road, Dadar West, Mumbai 400028, India |
| Contact Details | akshara.frea@gmail.com |
NGO Focus Areas at a Glance (Maharashtra)
| NGO Name | Focus Area | District |
| Akshara Centre | Women Empowerment & Gender Equality | Mumbai |
| The Akanksha Foundation | Education & School Reform | Mumbai, Pune |
| United Way Mumbai | Community Development, Health & Environment | Mumbai |
| Alert India | Public Health & Disease Awareness | Mumbai |
| Annamrita Foundation | Child Nutrition & Welfare | Mumbai |
| Antarang Foundation | Career Guidance & Youth Employability | Mumbai |
| Cuddles Foundation | Pediatric Healthcare & Nutrition | Mumbai |
| Catalysts for Social Action | Child Protection & Institutional Care | Mumbai |
| IDEA Foundation | Education & Women Empowerment | Pune |
| Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme (CASP) | Livelihood & Community Development | Pune |
| Swades Foundation (New – 2025) | Rural Development, Water & Livelihoods | Raigad |
| Marathwada Gramin Vikas Sanstha (MGVS) (New – 2025) | Rural Health & Community Development | Aurangabad |
Conclusion
NGOs in Maharashtra continue to strengthen social development by addressing critical challenges related to education, healthcare, nutrition, gender equality, and rural empowerment. Their collaborative approach with communities and institutions ensures sustainable impact and contributes to inclusive growth throughout the state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly is a non-governmental organization (NGO)?
An NGO is a non-profit organization that works for a social cause. It is a non-profit organization.
How are non-governmental organizations funded?
Non-governmental groups are sponsored in a variety of ways. Individuals, foundations, businesses, and governments are funding sources for non-governmental organizations.
Is it difficult to form a non-profit organization (NGO)?
No, but the following criteria determine the amount of difficulty:
1) the founders’ or founding entity’s experience and history.
2) the local community needs another NPO (your Country and state have special rules for NPO creation and operation so that they will differ).
3) the local community’s need for another NPO.
How are NGOs funded?
Funding typically comes from donations, CSR partnerships, grants, and community participation.
Are Maharashtra NGOs involved in rural development?
Several NGOs actively work in rural districts focusing on water access, agriculture, health, and livelihood generation.
Can students volunteer with NGOs in Maharashtra?
Yes, many NGOs offer volunteering opportunities in education programs, community outreach, and awareness initiatives.
Which NGO sectors are most active in Maharashtra?
Education, healthcare, women empowerment, nutrition, and rural livelihood development are among the most active sectors.










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