Dreaming of your own named scholarship but put off by trust deeds, registrations and audits? Kind Circle works as your virtual NGO – you decide the purpose, we handle compliance.
Many people dream of starting a scholarship. A retired professional who wants to give back. A couple who want to support girls from their village. A group of friends who want to help one bright student every year. And then they hear what it takes – register a trust, appoint trustees, get tax registrations, open a bank account, file returns, get audits done – and the dream gets postponed.
It does not have to be that way. With Kind Circle, you can start your own named scholarship in India without registering a trust or NGO. Think of it as your own virtual NGO.
What is a virtual NGO?
A virtual NGO gives you everything you need to run a charitable programme – a name, a page, a fund, donors, beneficiaries and reports – while a registered non-profit takes care of the legal and compliance work in the background.
Kind Circle is a philanthropic initiative of Buddy4Study India Foundation, a registered non-profit under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act. When you start a scholarship on Kind Circle, it runs under the foundation's registrations. You decide the purpose and the people. The foundation handles receipts, compliance, student verification and disbursal.
Own trust vs. Kind Circle: a quick comparison
| What you need | Your own trust or NGO | A scholarship on Kind Circle |
|---|---|---|
| Legal registration | Trust deed or company registration | Not needed |
| Trustees or directors | Required | Not needed – you lead as the Karta |
| Tax registrations for donors | Apply and renew yourself | Already in place (12A and 80G) |
| Foreign donations | Separate FCRA registration, usually after years of operation | Possible through the foundation's FCRA-compliant route |
| Finding deserving students | On your own | Through Buddy4Study's network of close to 4.5 million registered students |
| Verification and disbursal | On your own | Handled by the Kind Circle team |
| Annual filings and audits | Your responsibility | Handled by the foundation |
| Time to launch | Months | Days to a few weeks |
What kind of scholarship can you start?
Kind Circle supports five kinds of circles:
- Family Kind Circle – a family-named scholarship that builds a legacy for generations.
- Memorial Kind Circle – a scholarship in memory of a parent, grandparent, teacher or friend. Read our guide on how to start a memorial scholarship.
- Community Kind Circle – for professional groups, alumni, residents' associations or friends. The CA Vidya Sahaay Kind Circle, led by Chartered Accountants, is one example.
- Employee Kind Circle – for colleagues giving together, like the EY GDS Employee Kind Circle.
- Organization Kind Circle – for companies running CSR scholarships, such as the Auxilo Edevate Kind Circle.
You stay in charge of what matters
A virtual NGO does not mean giving up control. As the Karta of your circle, you decide:
- The name and story of your scholarship
- Who is eligible – class or course, marks, family income, region, or special groups such as girls or first-generation learners
- How much each scholar receives and how many scholars you support
- Whether funds go to the student or the institution
- Which verified students are finally selected
- Whether to renew, grow or pause each year
You can run more than one initiative under one circle, appoint co-administrators to help you, and change the design in future cycles.
Full transparency, by design
Every circle has a public page showing funds raised, scholarships disbursed and students supported. Funds reach the student's bank account or institution directly. You receive progress updates on your scholars and can request review calls or deeper insights whenever you like. Every donor receives an official receipt.
Bring others into your circle
A scholarship grows faster when more people care about it. On Kind Circle, anyone can donate to your circle, nominate a deserving student, or invite others to join. Family members abroad can also give, through the foundation's FCRA-compliant route and international payment options.
What does it cost?
Starting a trust involves legal fees, audit fees and ongoing administration. On Kind Circle, plans for individuals start with a no-setup-cost option, with a small share of each contribution supporting verification, disbursal and reporting. See the pricing page for current plans. Organisations can request a customised plan.
Who is this right for?
- Individuals and families who want to give in a structured, named way
- NRIs who want to support students back home
- Alumni groups, professional bodies and communities
- Companies looking for a ready platform for CSR or employee giving
- Anyone who wants impact without paperwork
Frequently asked questions
Will donors to my scholarship get a receipt?
Yes. Every donor receives an official receipt from Buddy4Study India Foundation.
Can I start small?
Yes. Many circles begin by supporting one or two students and grow over time.
Can I keep my scholarship page private until I am ready?
Yes. Your page can be prepared and kept inactive until you are ready to fund and launch it.
Get started
Your scholarship can be live in a matter of weeks, not months. Fill the Start a Scholarship form – it has only two short sections – or write to us at kind@buddy4study.com. Explore the circles already changing lives for inspiration.
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