EMPOWER FAMILIES FOR INNOVATIVE PHILANTHROPY
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GMR Varalakshmi Foundation

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TIES BETWEEN FAMILY BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY

Executive summary

When the GMR Group left certain industries in the 1990s to focus more on infrastructure, the Foundation remained behind in the nearby communities to the sold off-sites for three years to continue the work that they had begun.

​Mr. Rao himself has made an even more long-standing commitment, pledging that all his personal wealth to the Foundation in his will, so that its mission and vision will outlive him.

About the foundation

Name of Founder - Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao
Form - Non-profit (Section 8 company)
Date of legal incorporation - 2004
Country of origin - India
Countries of operation -India
Family business - The GMR Group, which focuses on energy, transport and infrastructure
Funding for the philanthropic vehicle - On average, GMR group companies give 2% of their profits, and Mr. Rao has pledged his entire wealth to the Foundation in his will.
Themes addressed - Education, health and livelihoods
Ongoing family involvement - Mr. G.M. Rao and other family members, including his wife, sons, daughter, son-in-law and daughters-in-law, are on the Foundation’s board
Professional staff - Nearly 100 in the community wing alone

conclusion

The first partnership involved a course in refrigeration and in air conditioning, which were offered in partnership with Voltas (India's largest air conditioning company); many others followed. Matching local opportunities with the jobs that young people aspire for is a constant effort.
 
The partner industry contributes not only the curricula, but often also sets up the labs, trains the trainers, facilities on-the-job training and helps facilitate placements. Important practical training such as health and safety knowledge, which helps them to conform to industry standards, is part of the programme. The courses seek to contribute to the development of the whole person, by working additionally on personality development, communication skills, team skills, stress management and ethics in the workplace.  Finally, mock interview training sets up young people for the challenges they will face in the immediate future.
 
As for the GMR Group, they are keen that their own employees should be proud of its social engagement, and contribute to the CSR efforts led by the Foundation. Social Responsibility is one of the Group’s values, and the organization expects each employee to live this value. Employees have responded on a large scale: last year, they undertook a total of 14,000 hours of corporate volunteer time, to projects of their own as well as to support the Foundation’s activities.
​
The Foundation’s engagements are for the long term. When the GMR Group left certain industries in the 1990s to focus more on infrastructure, the Foundation remained behind in the communities near to the sold-off sites for three years to continue the work that they had begun. And Mr. Rao himself has made an even more long-standing commitment, pledging that all his personal wealth to the Foundation in his will, so that its mission and vision will outlive him. 
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Photo Credits
François du Chatenet,
France
Peartree Photography, South Africa


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Empower Families for Innovative Philanthropy (ERFIP) is a Swiss registered foundation.
  • About
    • Our History
    • Our Mission
    • ERFIP Today
    • Who We Are >
      • Founder
      • Board
      • Team
  • ERFIP Circles
  • Knowledge Center
    • Annual Reports
    • Resources
    • Case Studies
  • Press
    • Gallery
  • CONTACT US