Our Vision: A Vibrant and Credible Social Sector
Our Mission
- To gain consensus across stakeholders for common professional standards
- Enhance Visibility, Transparency, Accountability and Efficiency through better use of process and technology in the social sector
- Enlarge the quality resource pool for the social sector
What We Do
- Strengthen small/medium and rural Grassroots NGOs through our OCM Programs
- Partner with social sector Federations to make policy work
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Nurture Grassroots Ecosystem
- Engage with Donors/CSRs towards impactful funding
- Enable Alumni for continuous learning and networking
- Collaborate and Co-create through partnerships - adding value
- Provide technology solutions for the social sector
Our Guiding Principles
- Mutual respect for all is the cornerstone of our interactions
- We will expose ourselves to scrutiny from all stakeholders
- We will be outcome driven without compromising on ethics
- Our positions will be based on sound research and a professional approach
Our Journey So Far
2006–2016
Beginnings & Early Initiatives
- We started Dhwani Foundation (DF) in 2006 in Bangalore, with the intention and purpose of strengthening Grassroots NGOs – this was the essence of the seed idea around which DF was formed.
- In the early years this meant grants to small NGOs and support for computerisation; and then an expansion of coverage of grants to more NGOs.
- Goonjan was introduced - a cloud-based MIS platform designed and developed exclusively for the social sector.
- Along the way, we widened our lens, broadened our sights and articulated our Vision: to create a ‘Vibrant and Credible Social Sector’.
2017–2019
Proof of Concept 1st Batch, Stabilisation & New Initiatives
- We embarked on an extensive research project in 2017, surveying over 100 varied stakeholders in the social sector – NGOs, donors, government agencies, academics, think-tanks and beneficiaries.
- ‘What makes a credible NGO?’
- 161 parameters across 8 Domains get crystallised.
- Out of this, Niranthara was born, with a singular focus on capacity building for Grassroots NGOs.
- Launched in Karnataka with a 1st cohort of 23 NGOs.
- Updeshak, a Governance Enhancement Program begins by bringing corporate professionals onto NGO boards.
- Titan CSR partnership begins.
- The 8 Domains get put to test in the field and get cemented.
2019–2020
Covid Initiatives Added to Core DF Workstreams
- Graduation ceremony of 1st cohort of Niranthara.
- Covid hits! NGOs and Grassroots need an entirely different kind of help.
- DF becomes state nodal partner for Karnataka Govt, lends support in running shelter homes.
- Publishes process manual to run quarantine centres jointly with Govt and trains all Panchayat task forces in the State.
- DF publishes its second strategic plan document 2019–2022.
- Niranthara 2nd cohort in Karnataka, 3rd cohort in Tamil Nadu supporting 62 NGOs.
- APF partnership begins.
2020–2021
Goonjan and Niranthara Scale Up; DrishtE Launches
- DrishtE eLearning platform for OCM launched in Kannada and English.
- Niranthara 2 cohorts continues.
- Sahayak conceived as a Capacity Building program that leverages shared services.
- Fundraising managers concept introduced for Grassroots NGOs.
- Goonjan grows to the next level with over 100 NGOs usage across 13 States.
- Cumulative beneficiary database reaches 3 lakhs.
- Introduces Program Management module.
- Covid work continues with Govt of Karnataka and NGOs.
2021–2022
DF Workstreams Expand with VOICE & Sahayak
- VOICE launched to work with and enable NGO federations.
- Work begins with 2 federations in Karnataka.
- Niranthara, Updeshak and DrishtE continue to evolve and drive strengthening efforts to Grassroots NGOs.
- Goonjan introduces Volunteer Module.
- Niranthara Sahayak introduced in Karnataka.
- Shikshak program in Assam expands geographical reach to Northeast through a train-a-trainer model.
- Collaboration with RCRC supports 14 NGOs.
- Covid Wave 2 hits – DF actively works with Govt.
- Publishes process manual for vaccination drive across the state.
- Joins state review committee and takes direct responsibility for vaccination drive in 5 districts.
- DF publishes its strategic plan document 2022–2025.
2022–2023
Multiple and Simultaneous Initiatives Across Verticals and Horizontals
- Niranthara Sahayak becomes a full-fledged program in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- First cohort impact study on Niranthara published by IIM Bangalore.
- Niranthara cohorts 2 & 3 graduated.
- DrishtE eLearning materials published in Tamil.
- DF partners with Dasra to support Rebuild India initiative.
- Sahayog begins in Tamil Nadu in partnership with Caring Friends.
- Goonjan Version 2.0 initiated with sophisticated capability and features.
- SAT, a Self-Assessment Tool in OCM, introduced and implemented.
- 45 NGOs used this tool.
2023–2024
Institutional Partnerships; NGO Outreach Expansion; New Geographies; Lateral Collaborations
- APF second phase partnership begins.
- Expansion of Niranthara Classic to Odisha in Aug 2023 and Jharkhand in Feb 2024.
- DF hosts National Conclave on the Status of NGO Federations in India.
- VOICE reshaped and launched in partnership with 6 federations in South India.
- Remodelled Niranthara Sahayak expands to Andhra Pradesh.
- Grants+ donor engagement initiative begins.
- Webinar and Round Table Discussions begin in collaboration with CSRs in Bengaluru.
- DrishtE eLearning materials published in Hindi and Telugu.
- Niranthara Lite introduced.
- Sahayog program expands to partners in Karnataka.
- Dasra Rebuild India program expands to DF partners.
- Groundwork for expanding OCM to Northeast begins.
2024–2026
2 Years of Growth
- 8 parallel cohorts.
- Federations work through VOICE program deepens.
- Reassessment of parameters – 175 finalised.
- Niranthara Northeast Launch.
- Anaha Trust funding OCM for the 1st time; Ford Foundation joins with DF to fund OCM in Karnataka and Jharkhand.
- Testing the BOT Shikshak model with RNBA.
- Donor education work continues.
- Niranthara Odisha and Jharkhand deep work with Boards and Governance proves critical and shows results.
- Goonjan MIS upgrade.
- Niranthara Lite redesigned as Saksham - 5 Batches running parallel across 4 States
- Niranthara– our flagship OCM Program– returns to Karnataka after 8 years.
- NAVDHARA – a new initiative – a Leadership Transition Program launched in June 2026. 1st Cohort of 20 Founder/Leaders join this Program from across Karnataka.
Looking Ahead: 2800+ Grassroots NGOs reached and growing
- We at Dhwani Foundation firmly believe in the OCM approach to building resilient and sustainable Grassroots NGOs.
- We hope to continue to expand our reach and help build capacity of more NGOs in existing and newer territories.
- We will foster more sector collaborations and initiatives to build a strong social sector ecosystem.
Our People
Board/Advisory/Trustees
Trustees
Manju Kuchhal
Managing Trustee
Ramesh Emani
Trustee
Harish Babu
Trustee
Yashodhamma PH
Trustee
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Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy (Krishna)
Trustee
Krishna Kumar
Hon. Secretary & Trustee
Advisory Board
MJ Aravind
Advisory Board
Rajiv Kuchhal
Advisory Board
Jayachandra B
Advisory Board
Ashish Patel
Advisory Board
Sonali Srivastava
Advisory Board
Ashok Kamath
Advisory Board
Our Team
K N Gopinath
Executive Director
Mihir Mohanty
Asst. Director – East & North – East Region
Odisha
Vinaya Mallya
Asst. Director – South Region
Karnataka
Sunita Suresh
Assistant Director
Karnataka
Govindan Soundararajan
Asst. Director – Central Training & M&E
Karnataka
Abhishek Shivu
Manager – Finance & Compliance
Karnataka
Alin Naik
Senior Trainer
Odisha
Anjana Guru
Manager – Program Implementation
Odisha
Arpita Singh
Manager – Communications
Karnataka
Ayyappan
Manager – Federation Enablement
Karnataka
Bindhya B A
Assistant Manager – MIS & Tech
Karnataka
Chandrakala S
Assistant Manager MIS-Technology
Karnataka
Debasis Rout
Executive – Finance & Admin
Odisha
Dhanashree
Asst. Manager – MIS & Technology
Karnataka
Donson DSouza
Executive – MIS & Technologies
Karnataka
Dr. Anangadev Singh
State Head – Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Giridharan HC
Manager – Alumni
Karnataka
Harish TP
Programme head – Assessment
Karnataka
Hemalatha I
Executive – Finance & Admin
Tamil Nadu
Himanshu Singh
Regional Manager - Donor Engagement & Resource Mobilisation
Odisha
Isan Magimaidoss
Head – Central Training and Helpdesk
Karnataka
J. Jayanth
State Head – Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Jacob D’Souza
Program Head – DrishtE & N.Online
Karnataka
Jhanvi Rajpurohit
M&E Executive
Karnataka
Kempanna Shegunasi
Trainer
Karnataka
Kumari Reshma Singh
Master Trainer
Jharkhand
Lalitha Mohan
Sr. Manager – Donor Engagement & Alumni
Karnataka
Leelavathi Ranoji Rao
Manager – HR
Karnataka
Mamatha Rajesh
Manager – MIS & Technology
Karnataka
Manoj Kumar A
Program Implementation Manager
Tamil Nadu
Meena T
Assistant Manager – MIS & Tech
Tamil Nadu
Naveen Kumar S A
Manager – Program Implementation
Karnataka
Nikil KP
Asst. Director- Shared Services and Alumni
Tamil Nadu
Praveen Kumar
Manager – Programme Implementation
Tamil Nadu
Preeti Pawar
Asst. Manager – MIS & Technology
Karnataka
Rachana Renukumar
Manager- Donor Engagement
Karnataka
Rahul Satish
Executive- Monitoring & Evaluation
Karnataka
Ramireddigari Sangeetha
Technical Helpdesk – MIS & Tech
Karnataka
Ranjita Jena
Manager – Updeshak
Odisha
Ranjit Kumar Sahoo
Master Trainer
Odisha
Ravi Shanker
Manager – Program Implementation
Jharkhand
Rebekah C
Executive – Finance & Admin
Karnataka
Rohini N
State Head, Karnataka
Karnataka
Saket Kumar Mishra
Sr. Manager – Programme Implementation
Jharkhand
Sanjay Kumar
Manager – Marketing & Fundraising
Odisha
Satyam Shivam
Executive – Finance & Admin
Jharkhand
S C Monalisa
Manager – MIS & Technology
Karnataka
Shabari Padaki
Head of Communication
Karnataka
Shrishaila Dambal
Implementation Manager
Karnataka
Shruthi B R
Coordinator – Program Implementation
Karnataka
Siddique Ahamed
Manager – Program Implementation
Karnataka
Srikanth Bichali
Asst. Manager – Program Implementation
Karnataka
Suganya V
Manager - Program Implementation
Tamil Nadu
Suresha
Manager – Second Line Program Implementation
Karnataka
Suresh Kumar Pradhan
Program Head – Central Program Implementation
Odisha
Swatishree Maharana
Assistant Manager – Monitoring & Evaluation
Odisha
Vanitha Shree S
Junior Trainer
Karnataka
Veerabhadra Rao Kalluri
Program Head - MIS
Karnataka
Vijay Kulkarni
Sr. Consultant – VOICE (Federations Enablement)
Karnataka
Vinod Kumar
Manager – Enrolment
Karnataka
Wungmaya Lunghar
State Head – NorthEast
Assam
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