| Type |
Governing Law / Registration |
Purpose & Objectives |
Key Features |
Examples |
| NGOs |
Can be registered as a Society, Trust, or Section 8 Company |
Social, charitable, developmental, humanitarian work |
Broad term; independent of government; flexible formats |
Child rights NGOs, environmental NGOs |
| Section 8 Companies |
Companies Act, 2013 (India) |
Promote education, science, art, culture, social welfare, charity, environment |
Highly regulated, transparent structure, profits reinvested for objectives, no dividends |
Teach for India, Smile Foundation |
| Trusts |
Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (private) + State laws (public) |
Welfare, education, health, religious, charitable activities |
Simple formation, governed by trust deed, trustees manage assets |
Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON |
| Foundations |
Usually Trust or Section 8 Company |
Philanthropy, CSR, grant-making, social impact |
Often set up by corporates/families, focus on funding & projects |
Tata Trusts, Reliance Foundation, Azim Premji Foundation |
