• Event Report

Grant Management and Donor Reporting – Best Practices

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 June 2025
Skill-labs are part of ISDM’s efforts to build sector-wide capacities in compliance and governance. They are designed as case-led, peer-learning sessions featuring sector practitioners and domain experts. This FAQ document offers a comprehensive guide on grant management and donor reporting best practices for Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs). It addresses common challenges, such as the administrative burden and high costs of compliance, by providing a step-by-step roadmap for building robust systems. The document covers critical topics like ensuring accountability, structuring effective reports, and developing a collaborative relationship with donors. It emphasizes that a focus on transparency, timely communication, and outcome-oriented reporting can transform compliance from a burden into a strategic advantage, strengthening donor trust and securing long-term funding.
  • Video

Skill-labs: CSR Funding for NGOs – Compliance and Collaboration1

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 June 2025
Skill-labs are part of ISDM’s efforts to build sector-wide capacities in compliance and governance. They are designed as case-led, peer-learning sessions featuring sector practitioners and domain experts. This video is an expert discussion that provides guidance for NGOs on securing CSR funding from corporate partners. It emphasizes that compliance is foundational, not just for legal purposes, but also for building credibility and trust with companies. The document addresses common challenges, such as the need for specific compliance certificates, and offers solutions like proactive communication, transparent reporting with data-backed outcomes, and financial transparency. It also provides best practices for identifying the right CSR funders, navigating partnerships, and initiating first-time outreach to corporates, highlighting the importance of building relationships beyond just seeking monetary support.
  • Event Report

Skill-labs: CSR Funding for NGOs – Compliance and Collaboration

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 June 2025
These are part of ISDM’s efforts to build sector-wide capacities in compliance and governance. They are designed as case-led, peer-learning sessions featuring sector practitioners and domain experts. This FAQ document provides guidance for NGOs on securing CSR funding from corporate partners. It emphasizes that compliance is foundational, not just for legal purposes, but also for building credibility and trust with companies. The document addresses common challenges, such as the need for specific compliance certificates, and offers solutions like proactive communication, transparent reporting with data-backed outcomes, and financial transparency. It also provides best practices for identifying the right CSR funders, navigating partnerships, and initiating first-time outreach to corporates, highlighting the importance of building relationships beyond just seeking monetary support.
  • Framework / Toolkit / App

Compliance and Good Governance FAQ Handbook

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 August 2025
This FAQ Handbook, developed by the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), is a practical guide for small and mid-sized Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs) on governance and compliance. It is a compilation of real-time questions from practitioners, providing a solution-oriented reference document. The handbook is structured around four critical areas of compliance: Statutory and Regulatory, Financial, Donor and Fundraising, and Operational. It addresses common dilemmas and recurring queries to help SPOs navigate the complex landscape of legal and ethical requirements, ultimately aiming to build institutional clarity, strengthen decision-making, and promote a culture of proactive compliance.
  • Framework / Toolkit / App

Occupational Standards Framework

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 June 2025
The Occupational Standards Frameworkis a role-based competency tooldeveloped by ISDM to support the professionalisation and strengthening of the Development Managementecosystem in India. It is a structured approach designed to help development sector organisations define, assess, and strengthen the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for various roles and functions within the sector. It serves as a roadmap for organisations to build internal capacity, align team competencies with organisational goals, and promote professional developmentacross different levels.
  • Media Article

WoB-Governance Article Published

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 July 2025
The article expresses that Indian companies are overlooking a critical talent pool by failing to support women in mid-career leadership roles. The authors, highlight that while many women start in corporate roles, a significant percentage drop off at the mid-career stage. They emphasize that traditional leadership systems often lack the flexibility and support needed for women, leading to a “leaky pipeline” and a lack of gender-diverse boardrooms. The article advocates for rethinking governance and creating more inclusive systems to retain and empower female leaders, especially on boards in the non-profit sector.
  • Media Article

Bolstering Gender Equity on Boards of Non Profits

  • Source : Her Story
  • 1 August 2023
This article showcases the impact of the Women on Boards (WOB) program through the case study of Swetha Prakash, a corporate professional who transitioned to an advisory role at Satya Special School. The article highlights how women on boards bring diverse skill sets, empathy, and a unique perspective that complements traditional male leadership. It discusses the low representation of women on both corporate and nonprofit boards and attributes it to factors like time constraints and family responsibilities. The program, a collaboration between ISDM, Dasra, and Governance Counts, aims to bridge this gap by training experienced women and placing them in leadership roles to foster better governance, diversity, and on-the-ground impact.
  • Media Article

First Cohort of Women on Boards Program for Senior Women Leaders by ISDM Concludes

  • Source : We Staff
  • 1 June 2022
This article reports on the successful completion of the inaugural “Women on Boards” (WOB) program by the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), in collaboration with Dasra and Governance Counts. The program trained 24 senior women leaders from the corporate sector to serve on the boards of social sector organizations. The initiative aims to address the lack of gender diversity on nonprofit boards and leverage the skills of corporate professionals for greater social impact. The program’s participants will now be matched with organizations to provide mentorship and strategic guidance, with a focus on creating sustainable and scalable change.
  • Media Article

ISDM Completes the First Batch of Women on Boards (WOB) Program for Senior Women Leaders from Corporate World to Join Boards of Social Sector Organisations

  • Source : News voir
  • 1 June 2022
This article reports on the successful completion of the inaugural “Women on Boards” (WOB) program by the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), in collaboration with Dasra and Governance Counts. The program trained 24 senior women leaders from the corporate sector to serve on the boards of social sector organizations. The initiative aims to address the lack of gender diversity on nonprofit boards and leverage the skills of corporate professionals for greater social impact. The program’s participants will now be matched with organizations to provide mentorship and strategic guidance, with a focus on creating sustainable and scalable change.
  • Case Study

Strengthening Governance, Deepening Impact

  • Source : ISDM
  • 1 August 2025
This case study is the story of the Association for Sustainable Community Development (ASSCOD), a grassroots nonprofit in Tamil Nadu, and its transition from a founder-led organization to one with strengthened governance. The article highlights how ASSCOD addressed key challenges by collaborating with the Indian School of Development Management’s (ISDM) Women on Boards (WoB) program. It details how a corporate professional, Sunanda Rangarajan, helped establish a formal advisory board, streamline operations, and empower local women. The result is a more sustainable, community-owned, and impactful model for social change.
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