Introduction
Collective Good Foundation is an Indian nonprofit organisation that works with corporations, governments, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions and civil society organisations to design and implement scalable social-impact programs.
History and Background
Collective Good Foundation, also known as CGF, began its work in 2006 with a commitment to building collaborative ecosystems capable of generating sustainable social impact across India.
The Foundation works closely with Samhita Social Ventures. Together, Samhita and Collective Good Foundation combine social-sector research, program design, implementation, financing models, technology and partnerships to address complex development challenges.
CGF was created around the principle that large-scale social problems cannot be addressed effectively by organisations working in isolation. Its model therefore brings together funders, companies, government agencies, nonprofits, financial institutions, technical experts and community-based partners.
Over the years, the Foundation has expanded from implementing individual social programs to developing integrated solutions across livelihoods, financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, healthcare, education, climate resilience and institutional capacity building.
Mission and Purpose
Collective Good Foundation seeks to create continuous and irreversible improvements in the incomes and wellbeing of underserved people in India.
Its long-term work focuses particularly on youth, job seekers, informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, women, farmers and other communities that face barriers to employment, finance, markets and essential services.
The Foundation aims to move individuals from temporary or grant-dependent assistance toward sustainable income, formal financial services, secure employment, stronger businesses and improved social protection.
Its approach is centred on collaboration, innovation, evidence, measurable impact and scalable program models.
CGF also seeks to strengthen the wider development ecosystem by helping companies, foundations and government institutions design responsible and effective social-impact initiatives.
Focus Areas
Collective Good Foundation’s principal focus areas include livelihoods and income growth, employment and skilling, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, healthcare, education, agriculture, climate resilience, social security, technology for development and institutional capacity building.
The Foundation supports underserved individuals by improving access to skills, jobs, formal credit, markets, digital tools, financial literacy, healthcare services and government entitlements.
Its programs are designed to address immediate needs while also creating sustainable pathways toward greater economic security and resilience.
Governance and Organisational Structure
Collective Good Foundation is governed through a trustee-led structure supported by an advisory board, directors and an operational leadership team.
According to the Foundation’s 2024–2025 annual report, its trustees include Suman Srivastava, Jagdish Acharya and Noshir Dadrawala.
The Foundation’s advisors bring experience in development finance, governance, philanthropy, social impact, business and institutional leadership. They help guide strategy, strengthen program execution and support the development of scalable solutions.
The leadership and program teams are responsible for partnerships, research, finance, program design, implementation, monitoring, technology and impact measurement.
This structure enables CGF to combine strategic oversight with on-the-ground program management across multiple states and development sectors.
Funding and Financial Model
Collective Good Foundation receives financial support from corporations, philanthropic foundations, international development agencies, government partners and institutional donors.
Funding may be provided through corporate social responsibility contributions, philanthropic grants, development assistance, outcome-linked financing arrangements and collaborative funding platforms.
The Foundation also uses blended-finance models that combine philanthropic, public and private capital. These arrangements can reduce financial risk, encourage participation by formal lenders and increase the amount of capital available to underserved communities.
CGF states that structured catalytic philanthropy can unlock additional public and private capital. Its financing models are designed to help farmers, workers, women entrepreneurs and microbusinesses progress from grant-based support to formal finance or reliable salaried employment.
The Foundation publishes annual reports and audited financial reports, providing information about its activities, partnerships, governance and use of resources.
Does Collective Good Foundation Provide Grants?
Collective Good Foundation does not primarily operate as a conventional open-call grantmaking foundation. It generally works through structured programs developed with corporate, philanthropic, government and implementation partners.
However, some CGF initiatives provide direct financial support to program participants. These mechanisms may include returnable grants, direct cash transfers, credit guarantees and facilitated access to formal loans.
Returnable grants are small, interest-free amounts provided to eligible participants. Recipients repay the funds over an agreed period, allowing them to establish repayment behaviour and prepare for future participation in the formal financial system.
Eligibility for financial assistance depends on the specific program, target community, location and funding partnership. Individuals and organisations should review current program announcements rather than assume that the Foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications.
CGF may also engage nonprofit organisations and implementation partners to deliver programs. Such partnerships are usually selected according to program requirements, local experience, due diligence and implementation capacity.
Corporate Social Responsibility Partnerships
Collective Good Foundation helps companies plan and implement corporate social responsibility programs aligned with India’s development priorities and Schedule VII of the Companies Act.
Its support can cover the complete program cycle, including needs assessment, program strategy, partner identification, due diligence, implementation planning, financial management, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.
The Foundation works with companies to convert CSR commitments into programs that address clearly defined social problems and generate measurable results.
Its partnerships may focus on livelihoods, employment, women’s empowerment, healthcare, financial inclusion, education and climate resilience.
CGF’s collaboration with Samhita Social Ventures combines nonprofit implementation capabilities with CSR strategy, research and advisory expertise.
Livelihoods and Income Growth
Improving incomes is a major priority for Collective Good Foundation.
The Foundation supports workers, farmers, micro-entrepreneurs and job seekers through skilling, employment pathways, market connections, formal finance and access to social-security systems.
Programs may help participants develop technical, financial and digital skills while connecting them with employers, buyers, e-commerce platforms, financial institutions or government schemes.
For micro-entrepreneurs, support can include business training, working capital, digital tools, credit readiness and market access.
For workers and young job seekers, interventions may include vocational skills, career preparation, job placement and links to formal employment opportunities.
The objective is to create lasting economic improvement rather than short-term income relief.
Financial Inclusion and Catalytic Finance
Collective Good Foundation uses catalytic and blended-finance mechanisms to expand access to capital for people who are often excluded from conventional financial systems.
Many informal workers and micro-entrepreneurs lack credit histories, formal documentation, collateral or digital financial records. These barriers can prevent them from obtaining affordable loans even when they have viable businesses and the capacity to repay.
CGF works with banks, non-banking financial companies, fintech platforms and government agencies to develop inclusive financial pathways.
Its interventions include financial-literacy training, credit-readiness assessments, returnable grants, credit guarantees and support with formal loan applications.
The Foundation’s digital systems can help manage participant onboarding, financial assessments, applications, repayments and coordination with lending partners.
This approach is intended to build financial capability and help participants transition gradually from philanthropic support to sustainable formal finance.
REVIVE Alliance
The REVIVE Alliance is one of Collective Good Foundation’s major livelihood and financial-inclusion initiatives.
It was developed as a blended-finance facility and livelihood accelerator to improve income security and resilience among informal workers and micro-entrepreneurs.
The initiative has involved collaboration with partners including the United States Agency for International Development, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Omidyar Network, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Kingdom’s development authorities, along with corporate partners.
REVIVE has used instruments such as returnable grants, direct cash transfers, skilling, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship support.
Women form an important part of the program’s target population because they frequently experience disproportionate barriers to credit, employment, technology and market opportunities.
Women’s Economic Empowerment
Collective Good Foundation develops programs that help women strengthen their livelihoods, enterprises, financial capabilities and access to essential services.
One prominent model has involved interest-free returnable grants for women entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional financial products.
Participants can use the capital to meet business needs, adopt digital tools or rebuild income-generating activities. Successful repayment helps demonstrate financial discipline and may support progression toward banks, microfinance institutions or other formal lenders.
The Foundation has also participated in programs that connect women’s economic wellbeing with health, skills, entrepreneurship and access to government services.
This integrated approach recognises that financial empowerment is influenced by healthcare access, household responsibilities, mobility, digital participation and social conditions.
Healthcare and Wellbeing
CGF’s health-related programs focus on improving access to essential services, supporting vulnerable communities and strengthening the connection between health and economic security.
The Foundation collaborates with companies, government institutions, healthcare organisations and community partners to design and implement health interventions.
Programs may address preventive healthcare, women’s health, community awareness, access to services, sanitation and the capacity of public-health systems.
CGF’s approach recognises that illness and limited healthcare access can reduce household income, weaken livelihoods and increase financial vulnerability.
Education, Skilling and Employment
Education and workforce development are important parts of the Foundation’s economic-mobility strategy.
CGF supports initiatives that equip youth and job seekers with relevant technical, digital, financial and professional skills.
Training is connected, where possible, with employment, enterprise development or market opportunities. This helps ensure that skills programs are linked to practical economic outcomes.
The Foundation also works with implementation partners, employers and sector specialists to design training programs that reflect changing labour-market requirements.
Agriculture and Farmer Support
Collective Good Foundation works with farmers and agricultural communities to improve productivity, income security and market participation.
Support may include training, financial services, climate-resilient practices, market linkages, digital tools and access to government programs.
By connecting farmers with buyers, institutions and formal financial systems, CGF seeks to reduce vulnerability and help agricultural households develop more stable sources of income.
Its agricultural work can also contribute to broader priorities involving food security, rural livelihoods and climate resilience.
Technology and Data-Driven Implementation
Technology plays an important role in the Foundation’s approach to scaling social programs.
Digital platforms can support participant registration, training, program monitoring, financial transactions, partner coordination and impact measurement.
CGF uses data to identify communities with significant needs, track program performance and adapt interventions based on emerging evidence.
Technology also supports greater financial visibility for informal workers and micro-entrepreneurs. Digital business and repayment records can help participants demonstrate credit readiness to formal financial institutions.
The Foundation combines technological tools with community-based delivery because digital systems alone may not address barriers related to trust, literacy, language and local access.
Partnerships and Implementation Model
Collective Good Foundation works through partnerships with companies, foundations, government departments, international agencies, nonprofit organisations and financial institutions.
Corporate and philanthropic partners provide financing, knowledge and institutional support. Government partnerships can enable programs to connect with public systems and reach larger populations.
Grassroots nonprofit organisations contribute community relationships, local knowledge and implementation capabilities.
Banks, non-banking financial companies and fintech organisations help create pathways to formal financial services.
CGF can act as a program designer, implementation manager, fund administrator, capacity-building partner or monitoring and evaluation organisation, depending on the requirements of a project.
Impact and Examples of Work
Collective Good Foundation reported that its work had affected approximately 10 million lives by 2023–2024.
Its programs have helped women entrepreneurs obtain returnable capital, enabled workers and small-business owners to build financial and digital skills, and connected underserved borrowers with formal financial institutions.
The Foundation has worked with more than one million micro-entrepreneurs and informal workers through its financial-inclusion and livelihood ecosystem.
Its activities have included financial-literacy and entrepreneurship training, returnable-grant distribution, credit-readiness assessment, support for formal loan applications and connections to structured credit pathways.
CGF has also worked with numerous implementation organisations, funders, banks, non-banking financial companies, fintech firms and government agencies.
Beyond direct participation numbers, the Foundation’s impact model focuses on whether individuals experience lasting improvements in income, employment, financial security, business growth and resilience.
Transparency and Accountability
Collective Good Foundation publishes annual reports describing its programs, partnerships and organisational achievements.
Audited financial reports are also made available through its website. These documents support transparency regarding the Foundation’s finances and use of institutional funding.
CGF employs monitoring, evaluation and data analysis to assess program implementation and outcomes. This allows partners to review performance, identify challenges and improve program design.
The organisation also conducts due diligence when selecting implementation partners and uses structured program-management processes to monitor the use of funds.
Why Collective Good Foundation Matters
India’s informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, women, youth and farmers frequently face interconnected barriers involving skills, employment, credit, healthcare, technology and markets.
Addressing only one of these challenges may not produce lasting economic improvement.
Collective Good Foundation responds through integrated programs that combine financial assistance, capacity building, market access, institutional partnerships and technology.
Its use of blended finance is particularly significant because it seeks to make philanthropic funding catalytic. Instead of operating only as direct assistance, philanthropic capital can help attract formal lenders, reduce risk and create longer-term financial pathways.
Conclusion
Collective Good Foundation is an Indian nonprofit organisation that builds partnerships and scalable solutions across livelihoods, financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, healthcare, education, agriculture and climate resilience.
Since beginning its work in 2006, the Foundation has developed from a project implementation organisation into a collaborative platform working with corporations, governments, donors, financial institutions and grassroots nonprofits.
Its programs use tools such as skilling, market linkages, returnable grants, credit guarantees, formal finance and digital technology to help underserved communities achieve sustainable economic progress.
Although CGF is not primarily an open-call grantmaking foundation, it channels institutional and philanthropic capital through structured programs that directly support workers, entrepreneurs, women, youth and farmers across India.
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