A practical checklist for Indian donors to verify NGOs before donating — including government databases, registration checks, and red flags to watch for.
India has over 3.1 million registered NGOs — and not all are legitimate or effective. A few minutes of verification ensures your money reaches genuine organisations doing real work.
Every legitimate NGO must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, Indian Trusts Act, or Section 8 of Companies Act. Search on NGO Darpan (ngo.india.gov.in).
Ask for registration numbers. Verify with the Income Tax department.
If the NGO claims to receive foreign donations, verify FCRA registration on the Ministry of Home Affairs website.
Look for annual reports with audited financials. Check administrative overhead ratio (ideally below 25%).
Look for a professional website, contact information, team details, programme photos, and active social media.
Check if the NGO is listed on FundsForAll, GuideStar India, or has received awards from reputable institutions.
Start with a small donation. See how the NGO communicates, acknowledges, and reports.
Every NGO on FundsForAll undergoes multi-step verification: registration certificate, 12A/80G/FCRA checks, bank account verification, physical address verification, and campaign-specific review.
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Search on NGO Darpan (ngo.india.gov.in) for the organisation name or registration number. You can also verify with the Charity Commissioner of the respective state.
12A provides income tax exemption to the NGO itself. 80G allows donors to claim tax deductions. An NGO ideally should have both.
Written by
FundsForAll Editorial
Content Team
11 May 2026
