Mumbai, India’s financial and cultural capital, is also a centre for some of the country’s most impactful social work. The city’s diverse population and its many challenges — from overcrowded slums and educational inequality to pollution and gender-based issues — have led to the growth of numerous NGOs in Mumbai working for public welfare.
Over the last three decades, these Mumbai nonprofits have played a vital role in supporting government initiatives, creating awareness, and inspiring civic participation. Below are 10 well-known NGOs in Mumbai that have made a strong social impact across fields such as education, health, the environment, governance, and human rights.
NGOs in Mumbai Making a Difference
From classrooms to coastlines, these top NGOs in Mumbai are creating lasting change through education, health, environment, governance, and human rights initiatives.
1. Pratham, Mumbai
Founded in 1995, Pratham began with a simple but powerful goal — to make sure every child goes to school and learns well. What started as a small literacy project in Mumbai’s slums has grown into one of India’s largest education NGOs, reaching millions of children across the country.
Pratham’s “Teaching at the Right Level” approach has been recognised nationally and internationally for helping bridge learning gaps in schools. Today, the organisation reaches more than nine million children every year, focusing on literacy, digital learning, and vocational training. Its Mumbai office at Y.B. Chavan Centre continues to be the heart of its work in education reform, making Pratham one of the most respected education NGOs in Mumbai.
Website: www.pratham.org
Contact details: +91 22 2287 7080, info@pratham.org
2. The Akanksha Foundation
Founded in the early 1990s by Shaheen Mistri, The Akanksha Foundation works to improve public education for children from low-income communities. It started as an after-school tutoring programme and has grown into a network of 27 schools in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, educating over 14,000 students.
Akanksha focuses on holistic education that combines academics, values, and life skills. Through the involvement of teachers, alumni, and parents, it ensures that children receive continuous support for their learning and personal growth. This makes it one of the leading non-profit organisations in Mumbai working for educational equality.
Website: www.akanksha.org
Contact details: +91 22 6617 6400, info@akanksha.org
3. SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education & Health Action)
Established in 1999, SNEHA operates in some of the most vulnerable urban areas, working to improve the health, nutrition, and safety of women and children. The organisation’s community-based model has made it one of the most impactful health NGOs in Mumbai.
Between 2016 and 2025, SNEHA has supported over 180,000 pregnant women, screened around 90,000 children for malnutrition, and helped reduce child wasting rates by 27% in some communities. It also runs awareness campaigns such as #TogetherForEveryChild, focusing on child protection and nutrition.
Website: www.snehamumbai.org
Contact details: +91 9920199188, communications@snehamumbai.org
4. The Humsafar Trust, Mumbai
Formed in 1994, The Humsafar Trust is India’s first community-based organisation dedicated to the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. Based in Mumbai, it provides counselling, HIV prevention services, legal aid, and promotes inclusion through advocacy and training.
The trust has worked closely with healthcare providers, corporates, and law enforcement to build greater understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. Its long-term efforts played a key role in shaping the movement that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India. Today, it remains one of the most recognised social NGOs in Mumbai.
Website: www.humsafar.org
Contact details: +91 98929 40966, info@humsafar.org
5. Vanashakti, Mumbai NGO
Founded in 2006, Vanashakti is an environmental NGO in Mumbai that works to protect forests, wetlands, rivers, and coastal ecosystems around Mumbai. The organisation uses legal action, public awareness, and restoration projects to safeguard natural spaces from urban damage.
One of its major successes was saving the Sewri Mangrove Park by filing legal petitions that forced the relocation of a coal depot. Vanashakti also runs environmental education programmes and supports sustainable livelihoods for people living in forested areas, making it one of the leading environmental NGOs in Mumbai.
Website: vanashakti.org
Contact details: +91-9967632302, vanashakti@gmail.com
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6. Awaaz Foundation
Started in 2006 by environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali, Awaaz Foundation campaigns against noise and air pollution in Mumbai. Its research and data collection have influenced public policy and several important court rulings, positioning it among the most active environment NGOs in Mumbai.
The organisation’s noise studies, such as the 2023 Diwali report, have helped authorities understand the dangers of excessive noise levels. Awaaz Foundation also trains citizens to take action, file complaints, and participate in efforts to make Mumbai a cleaner and quieter city.
Website: awaaz.org/awaaz-foundation
7. Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust
Founded in 1995, the Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust helps people who inject drugs by offering harm-reduction services and rehabilitation. It provides clean needle exchanges, counselling, and healthcare support in Mumbai’s high-risk areas to prevent HIV and other infections.
Sankalp’s work has been recognised globally and was honoured with the UNAIDS Red Ribbon Award in 2008 for its contribution to community health. It remains one of the most respected public health NGOs in Mumbai.
Website: www.sankalptrust.org
Contact details: +91 22 6525 2685, :sankalp.trust@gmail.com
8. Parisar Asha, Mumbai
Parisar Asha, established in 1982 by educationist Gloria de Souza, integrates environmental education with child-centred learning through its Environmental Studies Approach to Learning (ESAL) method.
Over the years, Parisar Asha has partnered with more than 3,500 schools and trained thousands of teachers to make learning creative, eco-friendly, and inclusive. Its continuous efforts have made it one of the most forward-thinking education NGOs in Mumbai, Maharasthra.
Website: www.parisarasha.com
9. Samabhavana Society
Registered in 2000, Samabhavana Society promotes equality, safety, and well-being for marginalised groups through awareness and advocacy. It conducts sessions in schools and workplaces and runs programmes on gender rights and protection against discrimination and harassment.
With over 25 years of experience, the organisation has built a strong network of counsellors and educators. Its ISO certification reflects its professionalism and accountability as one of the long-standing human rights NGOs in Mumbai.
Contact details: +91 22 23080592, samabhav@samabhavanasociety.org
10. AGNI (Action for Good Governance & Networking in India)
AGNI was founded more than two decades ago to strengthen citizen participation and good governance in Mumbai. It connects residents, activists, and officials to address civic issues such as waste management, road safety, and urban planning.
The NGO encourages people to be responsible citizens and has even used legal channels to hold political parties accountable for illegal citywide shutdowns. Through its publication Mumbai Meri Jaan, AGNI continues to raise awareness about civic responsibility and transparent governance, making it one of the most trusted governance NGOs in Mumbai.
Website: www.agnimumbai.in
Contact details: +91-22-2361 1327, agni@agnimumbai.org
NGOs Building Better Mumbai
These ten NGOs in Mumbai highlight how individuals and communities are working together to create a more inclusive, cleaner, and compassionate city. Whether it’s helping children learn, supporting families’ health, protecting the environment, or fighting for equal rights — their work continues to inspire change every day.
Mumbai may be known as India’s financial capital, but it is also a city full of heart — one where NGOs in Maharashtra are driving real progress and shaping a better future for everyone.
Below are some leading NGOs supporting education, health, and social development in India:
Education NGOs in India Changing Lives
Kaavya Bhatt
Kaavya is a 15-year-old, budding change maker passionate about tackling societal issues creatively and trying to do her bit for the world today. She has a keen affinity for reading, research, the culinary arts, and traveling. Get in touch with Kaavya on bhatt.kaavya24@gmail.com
