Smile Foundation

Smile Foundation is one of India's largest and most trusted development organisations. Established in 2002, Smile Foundation is an Indian development organization, impacting the lives of over 20 lakh children and their families every year. The organisation runs more than 400 projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment in over 2,000 remote villages and urban slums across 27 states of India. Started by a group of friends who wanted to give back to society, Smile Foundation has grown into a well established institution that works closely with communities, government programmes, and corporate partners. The organisation works as a catalyst for change, complementing government efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and partners with like-minded institutions to implement high-impact programmes at the grassroots. Major Areas of Work

• Education: Smile Foundation views education as both a means and an end to a better life, since it helps children build a strong foundation and break free from the cycle of poverty and disease. Programmes cover schooling, nutrition, and holistic development for children. smilefoundationindia
• Health: Healthcare services are taken directly to underserved communities, recognising that a child cannot stay in school if they or their family are unwell.
• Livelihood: Skill training and placement support help underprivileged youth find stable employment.
• Women Empowerment: Adolescent girls and women are supported through community engagement, education, and health initiatives.
• Empowering Grassroots: Smaller community-based organisations are helped to become locally sustainable through capacity building and mentorship.
• Disaster Response: The foundation responds to the needs of people affected by disasters across the country.

Major Initiatives and Programmes

Shiksha Na Ruke: Helps children from difficult circumstances get back to school and continue their education. Health Cannot Wait: Brings accessible, quality healthcare to underprivileged communities. She Can Fly: Supports girl children with quality education, nutrition, and health support. Swabhiman: Focuses on women's empowerment. Tayyari Kal Ki: Trains and upskills youth between 18 and 32 years of age for employment and a secure livelihood. smilefoundationindia Social Venture Philanthropy: A venture capital-style model where Smile Foundation identifies and funds credible community organisations, helping them scale sustainably.

Impact

• Over 20 lakh children and families reached every year smilefoundationindia
• 400+ projects running across the country smilefoundationindia
• 2,000+ villages and urban slums reached smilefoundationindia
• 27 states covered across India smilefoundationindia
• Recognised with the India Today RPG Happiness Awards 2023, CSR Times Award 2022, Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 2012, and Guidestar India Platinum accreditation

Smile Foundation offers the chance to work at scale, with a 20+ year track record and a presence across most of India. Employees get to work directly with underserved communities while also engaging with major corporate partners like HDFC Bank, Philips, Reliance, and Cisco. The organisation is well governed, has strong name recognition in the sector, and has been certified as a Great Place To Work.

This is a good fit for people who want to work at one of India's largest and most established NGOs, with structured programmes, strong corporate partnerships, and clear pathways to grassroots impact.