India's Leading Business Families Drive Major CSR Contributions in 2023-2024
India's top four business families—the Tatas, Ambanis, Adanis, and Birlas—continue to lead the charge in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending, contributing a significant 20% of the total CSR funding from family-owned or family-run companies in FY24. According to the India Philanthropy Report 2025 by Bain & Company, in collaboration with Dasra, these business giants allocated an average of Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore (approximately Rs 8 billion to Rs 10 billion) in CSR initiatives.
CSR Contributions by India’s Leading Business Families
The Tatas, Ambanis, Adanis, and Birlas contributed between Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) and Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) per family group in CSR funding. These significant investments in social causes reflect the growing commitment of India’s largest family-run businesses to support a range of charitable and developmental initiatives.
These contributions are in line with the country's broader philanthropic trend, with India’s top 2% of family businesses, including the Munjals (Hero MotoCorp), Piramals (Piramal Enterprises), and Kanwars (Apollo Tyres), accounting for over 50% to 55% of total CSR spending from family-owned enterprises. These families contributed an average of Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore (Rs 200 million to Rs 250 million) each to support various causes.
The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises in CSR
In contrast, the bottom 98% of family-run firms, representing over 16,500 companies, contributed 45% to 50% of the total CSR funding. These businesses, which include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), spent an average of Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) per company. The CSR contributions from these companies ranged from Rs 50 lakh (Rs 5 million) to Rs 7 crore (Rs 70 million), highlighting the active participation of a broad spectrum of family-run businesses in giving back to society.
Total CSR Donations and Strategic Partnerships
By December 2024, India's top family-run businesses collectively facilitated Rs 1,600 crore (Rs 16 billion) in donations, fostering 20 strategic partnerships. This growing trend highlights the increasing focus on impactful philanthropy by family-owned enterprises.
Despite the significant contributions from these businesses, there was a slight decrease in the share of CSR donations from High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and Ultra High Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs) in FY24. HNI and UHNI contributions fell to 26% of total private-sector philanthropy, down from 27% in FY23. However, the sector saw a 7% overall increase in philanthropic funding, reaching a total of Rs 1.31 trillion in FY24.
Future Outlook: HNI and UHNI Contributions Set to Grow
Looking ahead, the report projects a substantial rise in contributions from HNIs and UHNIs. By 2028-2029, these individuals are expected to contribute between 32% to 36% of total private-sector philanthropic funding. As the country’s wealth continues to grow, it is anticipated that the philanthropic sector will see increased contributions from both family-run businesses and wealthy individuals.
Emerging Trends in Family Philanthropy
The India Philanthropy Report 2025 also highlights several emerging trends in family philanthropy. More families are expanding their focus to underfunded areas such as gender equality (40%), climate action (29%), and animal welfare (8%). In addition, 39% of families are looking to support the broader philanthropic ecosystem in the future.
Nearly 55% of these families have women-led philanthropic initiatives, and 33% are focused on intergenerational or multigenerational philanthropy. Furthermore, 65% of families have dedicated staff to manage their philanthropic activities, and 41% prefer grant-making as their primary approach to giving.
Conclusion: The Impact of Family-Run Businesses on CSR in India
The leading business families of India, including the Tatas, Ambanis, Adanis, and Birlas, continue to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s CSR landscape. Their significant contributions are helping to tackle some of India’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. While smaller family-run businesses also contribute meaningfully, it is the top 2% of these firms that are driving the majority of philanthropic investments in India.
As CSR spending continues to evolve, the trends and projections in the India Philanthropy Report 2025 suggest a promising future for family-run businesses in India’s philanthropic ecosystem. The continued expansion of their focus, including a greater emphasis on gender equality, climate action, and intergenerational giving, demonstrates a growing commitment to addressing societal issues on a larger scale.
Key Takeaways:
- Top four business families (Tatas, Ambanis, Adanis, Birlas) contributed 20% of total CSR spending in FY24.
- Family-run firms, including the Munjals, Piramals, and Kanwars, accounted for over 50% of CSR contributions from family businesses.
- Small and medium enterprises also play a crucial role, contributing 45-50% of CSR funding.
- Family philanthropy is expanding into underfunded areas, with a focus on gender equality, climate action, and more.
- HNI and UHNI contributions are projected to increase significantly by 2028-2029.
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