A CSR project proposal is a formal document through which an NGO presents a proposed project to a company, corporate foundation or other organisation for possible CSR support.
A CSR proposal normally explains the social or environmental issue being addressed, the target beneficiaries, proposed activities, expected results, implementation approach, project duration, organisational capacity and budget.
Important: The format provided in this article is a sample format for general guidance. It is not an official or universally applicable CSR proposal format.
Companies and CSR foundations may have their own proposal formats, application forms, eligibility requirements, online application systems and supporting-document requirements. Before preparing a CSR proposal, an NGO should always check the current information and application instructions provided by the particular company or funding organisation.
Some organisations may invite NGOs to submit a concept note or Expression of Interest first. Others may provide a prescribed proposal format or require applicants to complete an online form and upload specific documents.
Where a company or funder has provided its own format or application procedure, those requirements should take priority over this sample.
The sample below provides a general structure that an NGO can adapt when no prescribed format has been provided.
Sample NGO CSR Project Proposal
[NGO LETTERHEAD]
PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR CSR SUPPORT
Project Title:
[Name of Proposed Project]
Submitted to:
[Company / CSR Foundation Name]
Submitted by:
[Full Legal Name of NGO]
Project Location:
[Village / Town / District / State / Country]
Project Duration:
[Number of Months / Years]
Date:
[Day Month Year]
- Executive Summary
[Full Legal Name of NGO] proposes to implement [Project Name] in [location] for a period of [duration].
The proposed project aims to address [brief description of the social or environmental problem] affecting [target beneficiary group].
The project will focus on [main intervention areas] and is expected to directly benefit approximately [number] people.
The proposed activities include [brief description of major activities].
The total estimated project cost is [amount and currency], of which [amount] is requested as CSR support.
- About the Organisation
[Full Legal Name of NGO] was established in [year] with the mission of [brief mission statement].
The organisation works in [geographical areas] and focuses on [main thematic areas].
Its current programmes include [brief description].
The organisation has experience working with [beneficiary groups] and has implemented projects related to [relevant areas].
- Legal and Organisational Information
Organisation Name:
[Full Legal Name]
Legal Status:
[Trust / Society / Nonprofit Company / Foundation / Other]
Year of Establishment:
[Year]
Registration Details:
[Registration information]
Registered Address:
[Address]
Geographical Area of Operation:
[Location]
Relevant Statutory / Compliance Information:
[Details applicable to the organisation and CSR opportunity]
Website:
[Website]
Contact Person:
[Name and Designation]
Email:
[Email]
Telephone:
[Telephone]
For an Indian CSR opportunity, provide the statutory and CSR-related information specifically requested by the company or applicable requirements. Do not assume that every company requires the same documents or registrations.
- Background and Problem Statement
Describe the social, economic or environmental issue that the project intends to address.
Explain:
- What the problem is
- Who is affected
- Where the problem occurs
- The scale or significance of the issue
- The major factors contributing to the problem
- Existing gaps or limitations
- Why the proposed intervention is needed
Where possible, use reliable data, research, community information or other evidence to demonstrate the need.
- Target Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries of the project will be:
[Describe the target beneficiary group.]
Indicative number of direct beneficiaries:
[Number]
Indirect beneficiaries, where applicable:
[Number]
Geographical area:
[Location]
Explain how beneficiaries will be identified and selected.
The beneficiary numbers should be realistic and should be consistent with the proposed activities and budget.
- Project Goal
The overall goal of the project is:
[State the broader change the project seeks to contribute to.]
- Project Objectives
The project objectives are:
- Objective 1: [Specific objective]
- Objective 2: [Specific objective]
- Objective 3: [Specific objective]
Objectives should be realistic, measurable where appropriate and directly connected to the identified problem.
- Proposed Activities
The project will undertake the following activities:
Activity 1: [Name of Activity]
[Describe what will be done, where it will take place and who will participate.]
Activity 2: [Name of Activity]
[Describe the activity.]
Activity 3: [Name of Activity]
[Describe the activity.]
Activity 4: [Name of Activity]
[Describe the activity.]
Each activity should contribute directly to one or more project objectives.
- Implementation Approach
The project will be implemented through [brief description of the proposed implementation approach].
The approach may include:
- Community mobilisation
- Beneficiary identification
- Training or capacity building
- Service delivery
- Awareness activities
- Technical assistance
- Partnerships
- Field-level implementation
- Monitoring and follow-up
Explain why the proposed approach is appropriate for the beneficiaries and the identified problem.
- Project Location
The project will be implemented in:
[Location]
Explain why the location has been selected.
Where relevant, describe:
- Existing NGO presence
- Community relationships
- Previous experience in the area
- Local partners
- Infrastructure
- Accessibility
- Specific needs of the target community
An NGO should not claim an established presence in a location unless it can substantiate that claim.
- Project Duration
Proposed duration:
[Number of Months / Years]
Proposed start date:
[Date]
Proposed end date:
[Date]
The implementation period should be realistic for the proposed activities and funding arrangement.
- Project Work Plan
Provide an indicative implementation schedule.
Example:
Activity 1 – Community mobilisation – Month 1–2
Activity 2 – Beneficiary identification – Month 1–2
Activity 3 – Training / programme implementation – Month 2–8
Activity 4 – Monitoring and follow-up – Month 2–12
Activity 5 – Final evaluation and reporting – Month 12
The detailed work plan should be developed according to the final project design and the requirements of the CSR partner.
- Expected Outputs
The project is expected to produce the following outputs:
- [Output 1]
- [Output 2]
- [Output 3]
- [Output 4]
Outputs should describe the direct products, services or activities delivered through the project.
- Expected Outcomes
The project is expected to contribute to:
- [Outcome 1]
- [Outcome 2]
- [Outcome 3]
Outcomes should describe the changes expected among beneficiaries or within the target community.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
The organisation will monitor project implementation and measure progress against agreed indicators.
Monitoring activities may include:
- Beneficiary records
- Attendance records
- Activity reports
- Field visits
- Progress reviews
- Output indicators
- Outcome indicators
- Beneficiary feedback
- Photographic or other appropriate documentation
- Periodic reports
The NGO will maintain appropriate records and provide reports to the CSR partner according to the agreed reporting requirements.
- Project Team
The project will be managed by a team with relevant experience.
Project Director:
[Name and qualifications]
Project Manager:
[Name and qualifications]
Technical / Programme Lead:
[Name and qualifications]
Finance / Administration:
[Name and qualifications]
Other relevant personnel:
[Details]
Describe the responsibilities of key personnel where appropriate.
- Organisational Capacity and Relevant Experience
Describe the NGO’s relevant experience in implementing similar projects.
Include:
- Previous projects
- Relevant beneficiaries
- Geographic experience
- Technical expertise
- Staff and field personnel
- Infrastructure
- Monitoring systems
- Financial management systems
- Previous CSR or institutional partnerships, where relevant
Selected relevant projects:
- [Project Name] – [Location] – [Period] – [Funder / Partner]
- [Project Name] – [Location] – [Period] – [Funder / Partner]
- [Project Name] – [Location] – [Period] – [Funder / Partner]
Only relevant and verifiable experience should be presented.
- Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
Describe any proposed or existing relationships with:
- Local government
- Community institutions
- Educational institutions
- Health institutions
- Local organisations
- Technical partners
- Community groups
- Other stakeholders
Explain how these relationships may support successful project implementation.
Do not list organisations as partners unless an actual relationship or proposed arrangement exists.
- Sustainability
Explain how the benefits of the project may continue beyond the CSR funding period.
Possible approaches include:
- Community ownership
- Local capacity building
- Skills transfer
- Strengthening local institutions
- Integration with existing programmes
- Local partnerships
- Income-generation mechanisms where appropriate
- Follow-up support
The proposed sustainability approach should be realistic and appropriate to the project.
- Risk Management
Identify important risks that may affect project implementation.
Risk:
[Describe the potential risk.]
Potential Effect:
[Explain the possible effect on the project.]
Mitigation:
[Explain how the organisation proposes to manage the risk.]
Risks may relate to staffing, beneficiary participation, procurement, access, weather, regulatory requirements, community engagement or other project-specific circumstances.
- Project Budget
Total Estimated Project Cost:
[Amount and Currency]
CSR Support Requested:
[Amount and Currency]
NGO Contribution:
[Amount and Currency]
Other Contribution:
[Amount and Currency]
The detailed budget should be consistent with the proposed activities, beneficiary numbers and project duration.
For guidance on preparing a project budget, see:
How to Prepare an NGO Project Budget
- Budget Narrative
Explain the basis for significant project costs.
For example:
Personnel:
[Explain the roles, number of personnel, duration and calculation.]
Training:
[Explain participant numbers, number of sessions, materials and unit costs.]
Travel:
[Explain the number of visits and basis of calculation.]
Equipment:
[Explain why the equipment is required.]
Monitoring:
[Explain monitoring and evaluation costs.]
Communication and Outreach:
[Explain the proposed communication and community mobilisation costs.]
The budget narrative should make it clear how major costs were calculated and why they are necessary.
- CSR Partner Engagement
If appropriate, describe how the proposed project may align with the CSR priorities of the company.
This section may include:
- Relevant CSR thematic area
- Geographic alignment
- Target beneficiary alignment
- Potential project outcomes
- Reporting expectations
- Visibility or communication arrangements, where appropriate and permitted
- Potential employee engagement, where relevant
The NGO should not claim that a project is aligned with a company’s CSR priorities without reviewing the company’s current CSR information and programme requirements.
- Reporting and Documentation
The NGO will maintain appropriate project records and provide reports according to the agreed requirements.
Reporting may include:
- Periodic progress reports
- Financial reports
- Utilisation information where applicable
- Beneficiary information
- Output and outcome data
- Photographic documentation where appropriate
- Case studies or success stories
- Final project report
- Other documents required by the CSR partner
The exact reporting requirements should be agreed with the CSR partner before implementation.
- Supporting Documents
Attach only the documents requested by the company or CSR funding organisation.
Depending on the particular opportunity, these may include:
- Registration documents
- Governing documents
- Organisation profile
- Statutory documents
- Relevant CSR-related registrations or records, where applicable
- Annual reports
- Audited financial statements
- Previous project reports
- Key staff profiles
- Relevant policies
- Bank or financial documents
- Project-specific supporting documents
- Other documents specified by the CSR partner
Requirements vary between companies and funding programmes.
- Declaration
We confirm that the information provided in this project proposal is accurate to the best of our knowledge.
We confirm that the proposed project is consistent with the organisation’s experience, capacity and programme objectives.
We understand that submission of this proposal does not constitute a guarantee of CSR funding, approval, selection or partnership.
Any decision regarding CSR support will be made by the respective company or funding organisation according to its own assessment, policies and applicable requirements.
Authorised Representative:
Name:
[Name]
Designation:
[Designation]
Organisation:
[Full Legal Name of NGO]
Signature:
[Signature]
Date:
[Date]
Official Stamp:
[If applicable]
Important Notes Before Submitting a CSR Project Proposal
The sample format provided in this article is for general guidance. It should not be treated as an official CSR proposal format for any particular company or CSR foundation.
Before preparing or submitting a CSR proposal, an NGO should:
- Read the company’s current CSR information and funding requirements.
- Check the official website of the company or CSR foundation.
- Check whether the company has an open CSR call, application process or prescribed format.
- Check whether the proposal must be submitted online.
- Check whether the company requires an EOI, concept note or other preliminary document.
- Check the exact supporting documents required.
- Follow the company’s prescribed application form or online questionnaire where provided.
- Check applicable eligibility and compliance requirements.
- Ensure that the proposed project is relevant to the company’s stated CSR priorities.
- Present only relevant and verifiable organisational experience.
- Ensure that the proposed beneficiaries, location and activities are clearly defined.
- Make sure that the project objectives, activities, outputs, outcomes and budget are consistent.
- Ensure that the proposed budget is realistic.
- Check whether any costs are restricted or ineligible.
- Follow the company’s submission procedure.
- Submit before the specified deadline, where a deadline exists.
- Keep a copy of the submitted proposal and supporting documents.
CSR priorities, application procedures and requirements may vary between companies and may also change over time. NGOs should therefore rely on the current official information provided by the particular company or CSR funding organisation.
For Indian CSR opportunities, NGOs should also review the applicable legal and regulatory requirements and ensure that the organisation meets the eligibility conditions relevant to the particular CSR programme.
A CSR proposal should be developed around a genuine project need and the NGO’s actual experience and capacity. It should not simply be created by copying a previous proposal and changing the company name.
Related Project Development Resources
Steps to Take Before Applying for a Grant
How to Prepare an EOI (Expression of Interest) for an NGO: Sample Format
How to Prepare an NGO Letter of Intent (LOI): Sample Format
How to Prepare an NGO Concept Note
How to Prepare an NGO Project Budget
How to Prepare an NGO Project Proposal
How to Prepare an NGO Grant Application: Sample Format