NGO Stats

Although there’s no centralised database on the number of NGOs in India, unofficial figures indicate that there are over 20 lakh NGOs registered under various Societies’ Registration Acts, Trust Act, etc.

The general policy of the government of India is not to encourage soliciting of foreign contribution. However, if funds are intended for bona fide welfare activities, foreign contribution can be received by NGOs by obtaining registration or prior permission from the central government. NGOs in the country have to register with the government for receiving foreign contributions as per the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).The total number of NGOs registered under FCRA is 43,527 .

Nearly half of the registered NGOs under FCRA – over 19,000 out of the 43,527 – do not file annual returns with the government  containing details of foreign receipts and utilisation.

A child welfare organisation in the US, Compassion International, has emerged as the biggest foreign donor to India, nearly doubling its donation from 99.2 crores in 2010-11 to 183.83 crores in 2011-12.

The second biggest donor, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is also from the USA with a contribution of 130 crore.

The US remains the biggest donor country at 3838.23 crores, a 20% jump in donations from the country from the previous year.

Organisations based in Delhi, receive the maximum foreign donations of  2,285 crores of any other state.

A Chennai-based NGO, The World Vision of India, received the highest amount of foreign contributions in the country.

So NGOs anybody?