How to start a social charity in India?

Question

Hi,

I would like to start a charity to help the poor pupil by giving scholarships, to start a oldage home.

Basic details I require is follows.

a. Which part of Govt, I need to get an approval/registration?

b. What are the basic requisites to start this?

Looking forward to have the better suggestion on this.

Regards

Gangadhar Kotu

Answer 1

Dear Gangadhar,

I will tell you a story, then you judge for yourself:

There was this man in the US of A, sitting quietly with a board which said" Donate generously for the cause of Israel". In front of him was a tin which was being generously contributed to. One passerby asked him, what was the cause that he wanted to help Israel. The man replied "Israel is my son."

Social charity in India is linked with scams. If it is sincere charity that you want to do, and make a mass movement out of it, please start small. Do not go to any government offices for any approvals. You need approvals only when there is money involved. Charity starts at home. Pick up a homeless child from the neighbourhood and give him support, teach a child who cannot afford. People will see the genuinity and attach themselves to your cause and the institution will grow.

Answer 2

Contact a charity in your area and meet with the staff. Ask them what government office they got their approval from, what paperwork and administrative tasks they had to complete, etc. You may have to contact several charities before you find one that has the time to help you.

You also need to get a very impassioned group of local people together who support your idea and will provide some start up funding and serve on the board of directors, you need to get letters of endorsement from existing organizations saying this program is needed,  you need to have data that shows your target group is in need whatever service it is that you want to provide and that they are not served otherwise, and you need to have a draft of what your first year's budget would look like (what expenses you expect to incur, what you expect to pay staff, etc.)