NASSCOM Foundation is the social development arm of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) the internationally recognized trade body of the Indian IT industry.

Overview
The idea of NASSCOM Foundation was seeded by the late Dewang Mehta.

“ It is not important for everybody to sit on a computer and tap the keyboard; what is important is to bring the benefit of information technology to the common people of the country.”
This was Dewang Mehta’s vision which is becoming a reality through NASSCOM Foundation. In forming NASSCOM Foundation, NASSCOM’s aim was to make an impact on the social development landscape of India through the use of information and communication technologies.

NASSCOM Foundation (NF) is a trust registered under the Indian Trust Act 1882. It was registered in the year 2001. NF’s vision is to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) to empower and transform the lives of the under-served. NASSCOM and its members are committed to social development through the application of ICT. NF today has the unique opportunity of leading the IT Industry towards changing the social development landscape of India.

NF has two cross-cutting functional areas – ICT for development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the IT industry.

• With respect to ICT for development, NF is engaged in a number of initiatives, which are multifaceted yet intensive and leverage on the power of partnerships. NF plays the role of a catalyst in bringing together implementing agencies, industry, government bodies and people at the grassroots for integrated development boosted through the use of ICT. At NF, we believe that - ICT helps underserved population access information, services and opportunities that collectively build their capacities to realize their full potential.
• Many of NASSCOM’s member companies have been engaged in CSR initiatives. NF intends to become a catalyst, encouraging members to do more, capturing best practices, and promoting and assisting their replication. In addition, NF aims to facilitate and strengthen the CSR space to a wider understanding of contribution to development and towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

NF in Action (future endeavor)
NF’s focus in the coming years will be on the following areas:

• ICT for development

• Capacity building
• E-content

• Corporate social responsibility

• Education-Employability gap