We started
with one ration kit.

In the 2020 lockdown, work vanished overnight for daily-wage families
across India. We sourced what we could and delivered it, hand to hand.

Donate See the work

HOW IT BEGAN

Pledge A Smile Foundation was born out of the 2020 crisis, built to respond fast when circumstances leave families with nowhere to turn.

When COVID-19 took away livelihoods, daily-wage families were the first to lose everything and the last to be reached. What began as emergency ration runs quickly became a sustained effort: identifying vulnerable households, procuring essentials, and delivering them last-mile.

Emergency food relief grew into Project Seva, winter drives into Project Raahat. Stationery hand-outs grew into Project Muskaan and a longer-term adoption model for children. The through-line never changed: dignity-first support, handed over in person, followed up so help lasts longer than a single day.

65+ tonnes

of food grains delivered hand to hand across India since 2020, most of it during the COVID lockdowns.

200+Drives run

2,500+Interns trained

Children in new winter hoodies at a brick-kiln settlement, one boy grinning at the camera — WINTER ▪ BRICK-KILN SETTLEMENT

A row of women holding new footwear in colourful dupattas in warm morning light — FOOTWEAR ▪ COMMUNITY DRIVE

A whole brick-kiln community gathered with volunteers, the kiln chimney behind them — OUTREACH ▪ BRICK KILN

A volunteer helping a small child pull on a new hoodie — WINTER ▪ HAND TO HAND

WHAT WE DO

Our mission

To build dependable, dignity-first support systems for vulnerable families, so no one is left behind because of circumstances beyond their control.

Our vision

A society where every child and family has the essentials: food security, seasonal protection, and a real chance to learn and grow.

See how a drive works

THE TEAM

The people who keep the drives running.

Manu Rao

Founder · Director

Raj Bala

Director

Srishti

Founding Member · National Coordinator (COVID-19)

Rekha

National Coordinator (COVID-19)

Three Pledge A Smile team members beside the Project Muskaan banner and donated backpacks

…and the rotating crew of volunteers and interns behind every drive, more of them than we’ve been able to photograph here.

RECOGNITION

Recognised by the people who audit the work.

10th CSR Summit and Awards 2023 — Flagship award
Young Achievers' Award, 2023
Indian Achievers' Forum & CSR TIMES, presented to founder Manu Rao on stage at the 10th CSR Summit & Awards, New Delhi, August 2023.

Most Innovative Social Impact Website

Indian Social Impact Awards, for the foundation's website and the GoodTab extension that funds drives as supporters browse.

Most Trusted NGO

Indian Social Impact Awards, 2022–23.

Certificate of Appreciation, COVID-19 relief

South-West District Legal Services Authority, Dwarka Courts, with the office of the District Magistrate (South-West), for relief work through the pandemic.