The Godrej Trusts

The Godrej Trusts

The concept of trusteeship of wealth. Begun by the founder Ardeshir Godrej through a spontaneous gesture of a Rs. 3-lakh donation in 1926 to the Tilak Fund for the upliftment of Harijans. Acknowledged by the Mahatma as the biggest contribution he had received for the cause.

The initation of philanthropy by Ardeshir was strengthened by his brother Pirojsha, who made it a corporate pronciple for the Godrej group. Anticipating labour legislation by providing housing, schooling (epitomised today in the Godrej Udayachal Schools), medical aid and paid leave to workers. Environment and social concerns were equally vital to his vision. And to the vision of his sons, among whom, the yongest, Naval set up the Foundation for Research in Community Health and the Foundation for Medical Research along with Vasant Sheth of Great Easten Shipping Co. Ardeshir's vision is alive and throbbing. Through organisations that have taken the trusteeship of wealth as a mission of their own. 

The Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, established in 1972, owns one-third shares of the holding company, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. The income from dividends is utilised for promoting the objectives of the Trust, which includes providing medical relief to the poor and critically ill, educational aid to students, and relief funds in case of natural disasters.

Apart from promoting culture and the time arts (through the Godrej Dance Academy), sea cadets (Boating Section), libraries, school, blood banks, The Godrej Baug for low income people, the Red Cross Disaster Center at Vikhroli and the Pirojsha Godrej Memorial Wing at Breach Candy Hospital are born of this foundation.

Significant contribution have been made to, among others, the World Wide Fund for Nature-India, the Bombay Environment Action Group, the Latur Earthquake Relief Fund, the Andhra Cyclone Relief Fund, the Prime Minister Relief Fund and the Chief Minister Relief Fund.

The Soonabai Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, founded in March, 1974, it provides fund for education, and other worthy causes. The trust maintains large tracts of protected land for two separate projects - the conservation of mangroves and building an integrated housing colony for lower and middle income groups in association with the Housing Development Finance Corporation.

The Godrej Memorial Trust, established in 1994, the Trust is a voluntary, non-religious, non-sectarian, non-political charitable trust which is involved in maintaining hospitals, clinics, dispensaries and providing medical relief to the underprivileged. The Trust runs a clinic in New Delhi which provides facilities for operations, examinations, immunization, counseling and family welfare. The Trust has also initiated a project to establish a specialised hospital near Delhi.

The Naoroji Godrej Center for Plant Research, started in 1992, the Center is involved in basic and applied research in horticulture, pisiculture, sericulture, floriculture and preservation of endangered species. Beside this, it acquires land to conduct the above activities on and ties up with institution/individuals to successfully execute community projects. Its seven primary projects include the conservation of threatened plant species, development of an ideal village and mass propagation of medical plants.

Godrej Industries Ltd, Pirojshanagar, Eastern Express Highway, Vikhroli(E), Mumbai 400079, INDIA
Tel : 25188010 / 20 / 30 Fax : 25188065 www.godrejindia.com