the fifth es
tate
20
li
es at the
core of the HCL Grant to aid in selecting the
NGOs that are transforming the landscape of
Education, Health and Environment in rural
India. Since its inception in 2015, despite changes
in regulatory environments, pandemics and
operational challenges, organizations from all
over India have participated in the application
process with innovative models to catalyze rural
development. e applications are screened
using the criteria of sustainability, relevance,
innovation, replicability and scalability to assess
the NGO’s project, and financial modelling
and inclusion to assess the NGO itself. Pan-
India symposiums (and e-symposiums for
the two years of the pandemic) are held to
clarify the process and build networks. Due
diligence, including audits, field investigations
and assessments is conducted by the HCL
oundation team, along with subject matter
experts and a governance partner – Grant
ornton. e shortlisted NGOs are then
reviewed by an experienced Sub Jury, and the
three final recipients chosen by a Jury of eminent
persons. HCL Grant awards the winning NGOs
in each of the categories of Education, Health
and Environment
`
5 Crores (S$0.71 Million)
for a 3–5 year project. e Grant also awards
`
25
Lakhs (S$0.04 Million) to the other two finalists
in each category for a one-year project decided in
consultation with the HCL oundation. e total
committed fund for HCL Grant Edition VII is
`
16.5 Crores (S$2.4 million).
1587
800
+
210
47
30
9
3
•
•
•• •
t
he
hcl
GraNt
MethODOlOGy
H
CL GRANT
SELECTION
PROCESS
20212022