The Mahindra Group is extensively involved in philanthropy and volunteering.

It is considered an active participant in the Indian CSR field and received the Pegasus Award for CSR in 2007. Mahindra engages in philanthropy primarily through the KC Mahindra Trust, which serves as the CSR arm of the group . Founded in 1953 by K.C Mahindra Girl Child Education: Nanhi Kali: Nanhi Kali is a national girl child sponsorship programme jointly managed by the K. C. Mahindra Education Trust (KCMET) and the Naandi Foundation and is aimed at providing education to the underprivileged girl child in India. The foundation currently supports the education of approximately 51000 underprivileged girls. Education: Mahindra Pride Schools: Mahindra Pride Schools have been set up by Mahindra in support of the Government mandate for affirmative action with the prime objective to empower youth from socially disadvantaged sections of society by providing livelihood training. Mahindra operates several vocational schools as well as the Mahindra United World College. Environment: Mahindra Hariyali: Under the aegis of Mahindra Hariyali, over one million trees have been planted across the country, in an attempt to increase the countrys green cover. Employee Social Options (ESOPs) programme.: Mahindra employees also plan and lead their own service projects through Mahindras Employee Social Options Plans. In 2009, more than 35,000 employees participated. employees plan and lead their own service projects every year. active participation in various CSR activities under the aegis of ESOPs (Employee Social Options). ESOPs is a unique employee volunteering programme initiated by Mahindra on its 60th anniversary in 2005. It provides Mahindra employees an opportunity to participate in various socially responsible activities. Medical: sponsorship of the Lifeline Express, a mobile hospital train. Arts and Culture: Mahindra also supports the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards to recognize Indian theater talent, the Mahindra Indo-American Film Festival, and the Mahindra Lucknow Festival. In 2011, it held the first annual Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai. Sports: Mahindra also partners with the NBA and Celtic Football Club to bring grassroots basketball and soccer to India. Spark The Rise: Mahindra has created a digital platform for individuals, groups and organisations to submit project plans online at www.sparktherise.com. Visitors to the site can view projects to offer advice or get involved by volunteering or donating money and equipment. Spark the Rise is thus a platform where Sparks can start projects and Volunteers can get involved in them to help people to Rise. From Aug 2011-Mar 2012, the initiative awarded eight winning Sparks with monthly financial grants of Rs. 4 lakh each. Of these, five were chosen by public vote and three by an expert jury. In April 2012, the top two winners from each month by public vote and six entries chosen by an expert jury became a part of the Grand Finale, with three of the winners taking home Rs. 20 Lakh each and one receiving a grant of Rs. 40 Lakh.

Funding is just a small component of the impact of this movement. Mahindra has realised that Indians all across are to taking charge, and are realising their own understanding of Rise. They are thus not merely touting their own horn or initiating a small project or two in the name of CSR. They are instead choosing to identify, aggregate and empower others who have taken the responsibility on themselves. Innovators, entrepreneurs and change agents are now able to showcase their work and connect with like-minded people to amplify their efforts. Spark the Rise has become a community of >250,000 people working together to drive positive change in India. Thousands of people from all across India submitted >6,000 projects, of which 1,346 have been showcased on www.sparktherise.com, and 48 projects have received a grant from Mahindra. These projects have now found new fans and followers in the form of the hundreds of people that have connected with them to volunteer, donate, and advise the project champions. This is indeed a milestone in corporate citizenship in India. Rupee for rupee, the social impact of this initiative is disproportionate as compared to most other CSR efforts by Indian corporations of recent. In fact, for once the term CSR seems misfit, and it can be said that it is corporate social innovation that has seen dawn in India. Spark the Rise is thus promoting a rich culture of initiative and innovation by bringing people together to work for change. All Sparks not just the ones who have received grants have thus utilised this unique platform to promote ideas, motivate volunteers and raise funds for their projects aimed at building a better India.