Gurugram, November 10, 2025 In a landmark year for private giving in India, M3M Foundation has emerged as one of the nation’s top philanthropists with a remarkable investment of ₹70 crore in social development programs during FY 2024–25.

This milestone places it seventh on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 among donors contributing between ₹50 crore and ₹100 crore and marks the single-largest philanthropic contribution from Gurugram, representing the majority share of the city’s ₹90 crore total giving this year.

Recognised as the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, the Foundation’s inclusion on this prestigious list cements its status as one of the most committed social investors in India, blending strategic intent with measurable outcomes.

A Legacy of Purposeful Giving

The Foundation’s journey continues to be steered by Dr. Payal Kanodia, Trustee and Promoter, alongside Shri Basant Bansal and Shri Roop Bansal. Together, they have built a mission-driven organisation that views philanthropy not merely as charity, but as long-term nation-building.

“We believe that education is the first multiplier of change,” said Dr. Kanodia. “Our strategic investments aim to create pathways that strengthen communities through quality learning, health access, environmental resilience, and inclusive sports. This recognition reflects our deep resolve to transform potential into possibility.”

Her words encapsulate a vision anchored in human development where every rupee is channelled towards amplifying opportunity and resilience. The Foundation’s focus on sustainability and empowerment across India makes it an integral contributor to the country’s evolving philanthropic landscape.

Empowering Communities through Inclusive Development

M3M Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, is dedicated to fostering equitable development that guarantees a life of dignity for every individual. The Foundation channels its efforts into critical sectors including education, healthcare, environment, disaster management, skill development, and community welfare.

Through impactful programs like iMpower, Lakshya, Sarvoday, Saakshar, and Sankalp, it empowers communities across India by promoting sustainable and inclusive development models that enable long-term growth and self-reliance. These initiatives reflect the Foundation’s commitment to holistic progress and social transformation at the grassroots level.

Catalysing Grassroots Impact Across Sectors

M3M Foundation’s social investment portfolio spans five critical domains education, health, livelihoods, environment, and sports reflecting an ecosystem approach rather than isolated interventions.

1. Education and Learning Equity:
As an education-led foundation, M3M focuses on inclusive learning through school enablement, teacher capacity-building, digital learning access, and scholarships for meritorious students. Its “School-Plus” model demonstrates how supplementary, tech-enabled education can bridge learning gaps in under-resourced communities.

2. Health and Welfare:
The Foundation’s outreach to migrant workers through cooked meal distribution, mobile health camps, and post-pandemic wellness initiatives has created a safety net for vulnerable groups often excluded from formal systems.

3. Environment and Wildlife Conservation:
Its environmental programmes stand out for combining biodiversity conservation with community livelihoods. The Foundation supports water security and wildlife conservation projects in Tipeshiwar and Kolhu Chaur and is preparing to extend these efforts to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, aiming for landscape-level environmental restoration.

4. Sports and Inclusion:
Through its partnerships with para-athletes and inclusive sports initiatives, M3M Foundation continues to break barriers for differently-abled talent. Its investment in grassroots athletics ensures that sports are not viewed only as competition but as a vehicle for dignity, skill, and representation.

5. Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship:
M3M supports artisan communities through initiatives like the Sea Buckthorn enterprise in Nubra, integrating traditional skills with sustainable market models. By facilitating access to finance and training for artisans and small entrepreneurs, the Foundation bridges heritage crafts with modern commerce.

A Benchmark for Gurugram’s Philanthropy Ecosystem

Within Gurugram’s thriving corporate landscape, M3M Foundation’s ₹70 crore investment represents more than symbolic generosity it accounts for over 75% of the city’s total philanthropic outlay this year.

The Foundation’s model demonstrates how regional anchors corporates deeply embedded in local economies can drive high-impact philanthropy aligned with both global SDGs and national priorities.

The list of fellow top contributors, including Ashirvadam NGO (Ashok Soota), Jindal Steel and Power (Naveen Jindal & family), Mazumdar Shaw Philanthropy (Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw), Micro Labs (Dilip and Anand Surana), and Muthoot Finance, underscores the increasingly diverse nature of philanthropy in India, cutting across industries and generations.

India’s Growing Culture of Strategic Philanthropy

The EdelGive- Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 reported total donations of ₹10,380 crore from Indian philanthropists this year a sharp rise reflecting a nationwide shift toward structured giving. M3M Foundation stands out as both a contributor and a case study of how city-based philanthropy can catalyse national development.

Ranked No. 7 nationally in its category, the Foundation exemplifies the evolution of social investment in India, where focused capital delivers measurable outcomes. Its annual giving strategy concentrating on scalable, replicable models reflects a new generation of institutional philanthropy that balances compassion with accountability.

Vision 2030: Driving the Next Phase

Under Dr. Payal Kanodia’s leadership, M3M Foundation is preparing for a new chapter steered by three strategic thrusts:

• Leveraging digital infrastructure for mass education: Expanding e-learning platforms and hybrid classrooms to reach students beyond urban India.
• Integrating livelihoods and sustainability: Linking skilling programs and entrepreneurship with environmental conservation to promote regenerative livelihoods.
• Building inclusive sports ecosystems: Supporting athletes from underprivileged or differently-abled backgrounds to access training, mentorship, and international exposure.

As Dr. Kanodia affirms, “This recognition is not merely an accolade it is a reminder of our responsibility. Philanthropy must not stay static; it must grow, adapt, and deliver.”

The Logical Indian Perspective

M3M Foundation’s achievement highlights a defining trend in Indian philanthropy the decentralization of giving from old industrial bastions to emerging urban hubs like Gurugram, Hyderabad, and Pune. The ₹70 crore investment illustrates how modern philanthropies, often rooted in new-age enterprises, are adopting a portfolio approach to social welfare balancing direct service delivery with systemic transformation.

Equally significant is its focus on outcome-based giving, with education, digital access, and environment emerging as crossover themes that align with both India’s development priorities and global sustainability goals. The Foundation’s work complements government initiatives such as the National Education Policy (NEP) and Digital India, bridging public-private collaboration for scale and impact.

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