Is CSR just for compliance?

Marpu Foundation
Jun 19
2 min read

Why June Is the Right Time to Rethink Corporate Social Responsibility

Many companies in India still view CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as just a legal requirement — something to check off by the end of the financial year. But June is when forward-thinking CSR and HR teams shift their focus: from compliance to contribution.

With mid-year reviews, budget checks, and employee engagement plans in motion, this month becomes a key time to rethink CSR beyond just rules.

CSR: Not Just 2%, But 200% Impact

India was the first country to make CSR spending mandatory — 2% of average net profits for companies with certain financial thresholds (as per Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013).

But CSR is more than compliance. It is a powerful way to:

✅ Boost employee volunteering

✅ Build brand trust

✅ Create measurable community impact

✅ Drive employee engagement and team morale

✅ Strengthen SDG-linked projects across India

Real Impact That Goes Beyond Reports

Here’s how CSR leaders are moving beyond paperwork:

CSR projects with NGO partners who provide impact reports, not just receipts
Office employee engagement through fun volunteering activities like plantation drives, digital literacy sessions, or DIY eco-crafts
Corporate volunteering that aligns with brand purpose (ex: tech companies doing digital upskilling for rural youth)

What Are Indian Companies Looking For in CSR Today?

According to Google Trends and corporate searches, the top keywords this month are:

🔍 Employee volunteering programs India

🔍 CSR ideas for corporates

🔍 NGO partnerships for CSR

🔍 Fun volunteering ideas for office employees

🔍 Best CSR projects in India🔍 Low-cost high-impact CSR ideas

If your company is exploring these, you’re already on the right track.

CSR That Employees Actually Want to Join

In many companies, the CSR activity calendar is dry and formal. But when you introduce engaging programs, the shift is visible.

Examples include:

📚 Mentoring for college students by your own team

🌿 Tree plantation with giveaways and branded t-shirts

📦 Donation drives with clear impact stories

🧒🏽 Volunteering with school kids – storytelling, hygiene kits, and more

Such activities not only serve communities but also build connection inside your organisation.

Choose the Right NGO Partner to Make It Easy

A good NGO partner can:

Handle end-to-end CSR execution
Provide impact metrics and photo documentation
Manage pan-India campaigns and employee schedules
Customise CSR themes as per your team or city

You save time, ensure impact, and meet compliance — all at once.

Final Word: CSR Is a Culture, Not Just Compliance

If you’re only doing CSR for legal reasons, you’re missing out. Today, employees, customers, and communities want to know what your brand stands for. Start now - June is the perfect month to refresh your approach.

👉 To make this happen, you can collaborate with an experienced organisation like Marpu Foundation, which helps corporates run impactful employee volunteering programs, custom campaigns, and SDG-aligned CSR projects across India.

🔗 To learn more, visit www.marpu.org