TARA Child Protection and Empowerment runs a number of child protection and empowerment programs in New Delhi, India. In this Insight, TARA’s Partnerships and Donor Care Lead Jahangir Alam shares his thoughts on the type of support that has helped TARA grow and expand its reach over the years. 

Q: TARA has grown a lot since it began in 2008! What kind of funding has helped the organization to grow and become stronger?

A: Since its inception in 2008, TARA has experienced significant growth, largely due to a combination of individual donations, unrestricted grants, capacity-building support, and strategic partnerships. For instance, Adobe granted USD 20,000, which is totally unrestricted and can be used for building the capacity of caretakers. This flexibility also allows us to invest in technology adoption, hiring staff, and other capacity-building initiatives. A valid FCRA (the license required to receive foreign funds in India) allows TARA to raise funds from abroad, which greatly helps us to navigate the competitive CSR route in India.

Q: What is important to you in a relationship with a funder?

A: I think a strong relationship with funders is crucial for TARA as it ensures alignment of values, mutual trust, and shared goals. Such relationships facilitate open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of community needs, leading to more impactful interventions. This can be created with regular engagement with funders. 

Q: What difference does having supportive funders make to you and your work?

A: Supportive funders enable TARA to implement and scale its programs effectively. Their backing provides the necessary resources to reach more beneficiaries, enhance program quality, and sustain operations over time. For example, unrestricted grants have allowed TARA the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and seize emerging opportunities. Additionally, support from GoPhilanthropic Foundation and Alstom in the early days of the TARA Outreach Centre helped us build a new centre to reach more communities. 

We have had many positive experiences with CSR funders, but a couple of examples would be Alstom and Air Liquide. These partnerships have led to successful program implementations, increased community engagement, and enhanced organizational credibility.

Q: What would you like to see funders do more of/ or less of?

A: TARA would appreciate seeing funders do more of:

• Support multi-year partnerships (for example, a 3- to 5-year MoU) that give organizations like TARA the stability to focus more on operational goals and impact, rather than constantly diverting resources and time toward fundraising efforts.
• Provide unrestricted, long-term funding to support organizational growth.
• Offer capacity-building support tailored to specific needs.
• Engage in transparent and open communication, fostering a collaborative partnership.
• Demonstrate flexibility in funding allocations to adapt to evolving challenges.

TARA would appreciate seeing funders do less of:

• Frequent reporting requirements, such as quarterly reports, can be burdensome for organisations working with limited resources, also when working with children and communities where meaningful changes take time. A yearly reporting cycle is far more practical, allowing organisations to focus on program delivery while providing funders with a clearer picture of impact over a reasonable timeframe.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about better funding practices? 

A: Better Funding’s emphasis on trust-based, equitable funding is commendable. However, for organizations like TARA, clearer information on funding criteria, application processes, and the roles of funders would be beneficial. A more structured approach could enhance transparency and facilitate smoother collaborations with funders.  

In Collaboration with:

Jahangir Alam

Jahangir is the Partnerships & Donor Care Lead at ONYVA (TARA Child Protection & Empowerment), where he drives multi-stream fundraising, securing and nurturing CSR, foundations, HNI, and international donor partnerships to support child protection programs. Prior to joining the social sector, Jahangir worked in banking with HDFC, ICICI, and RBL Bank, managing high-value client portfolios and delivering strategic financial solutions. He leverages his expertise in relationship management, compliance, and business development to create lasting social impact.

Learn more about TARA’s critical work by visiting their website or contact their team by reaching out to give@TARAIndia.org.