Santanu Mishra’s story is an inspiring story. Smile Foundation, founded in 2002 in New Delhi, India, has grown into one of India’s most trusted non-profit organizations, valued at approximately USD 15 million in charitable assets as of 2025. With over 750,000 direct beneficiaries annually, Smile Foundation addresses the pressing issues of education, healthcare, and livelihood for underprivileged children and families. By bridging gaps in access to basic services and empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty, Santanu Mishra’s Smile Foundation is a beacon of hope, creating real social impact across India.
Basic Details
| Origin Country | India |
| Legal Name | Smile Foundation |
| Brand | Smile Foundation |
| Founder | Santanu Mishra |
| CEO | Santanu Mishra (also serves as Trustee) |
| Industry | Non-governmental organization |
| Website | www.smilefoundationindia.org |
| Year of Founding | 2002 |
| Valuation | Approx. USD 15 million (charitable assets) |
| Employees | 500+ (including project staff and educators) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Status | Active |
FOUNDER OVERVIEW – SANTANU MISHRA
➤ Net Worth (2025)
Santanu Mishra’s estimated net worth in 2025 is modest by design, at around USD 1.5 million. His personal wealth reflects his long-standing commitment to social entrepreneurship rather than profit. The majority of his resources are dedicated to the Foundation’s mission, and he draws a reasonable trustee honorarium aligned with NGO best practices in India.
➤ Recognition & Awards
- Sankalp Award for Social Entrepreneur of the Year, 2010, presented by Sankalp Forum.
- Social Impact Leader Award, 2015, by ASSOCHAM India.
- India NGO Leadership Award, 2017, by World CSR Congress.
- Multiple commendations by government bodies for contributions to child education and rural development.
PERSONAL STORY: SANTANU MISHRA
Santanu Mishra was born in 1968 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, into a middle-class family that valued education and cultural heritage. His parents, both teachers, instilled in him the virtues of knowledge, compassion, and social responsibility. Growing up, he witnessed the everyday struggles of families in rural Odisha, which planted the seeds of empathy and service early on.
Before venturing into the non-profit sector, Santanu Mishra had an accomplished career as a corporate lawyer and an investment banker in Delhi and Mumbai. He worked with leading firms, advising high-profile clients, and earning industry respect for his analytical sharpness and integrity. Despite his professional success, Santanu often found himself disturbed by the stark inequalities he observed around him. This discomfort gradually evolved into a calling that corporate milestones alone could not satisfy.
He completed his law degree from Delhi University and went on to build a solid reputation in corporate law circles. However, the gap between boardroom discussions and ground realities deeply bothered him. An incident involving a street child near his office made him question his life’s true purpose — a quiet but profound turning point that would reshape his path forever.
Personally, Santanu faced skepticism and financial strain when he chose to leave his lucrative career to build Smile Foundation from scratch. Friends and family worried about his security, but his conviction never wavered. He gave up a comfortable lifestyle, stable income, and corporate perks to work with marginalised communities, often traveling to remote villages himself to oversee projects.
Through these struggles, Santanu’s worldview shifted dramatically. He became a champion of “bottom-up” community empowerment — believing that sustainable change happens when people are part of their own solutions. This core belief transformed him from a corporate achiever to a social catalyst. His journey, shaped by resilience and a deep sense of service, continues to inspire countless young social workers and entrepreneurs across India today.
FOUNDING STORY: SMILE FOUNDATION
Inspiration Behind the Idea
Santanu Mishra did not take this journey alone. He reached out to a few like-minded professionals from his network — fellow lawyers, bankers, and social workers — who shared his belief that privileged professionals must give back to society. This founding group agreed to contribute not just money but time, expertise, and credibility. Together, they built Smile Foundation on the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every rupee donated would create maximum social value.
Founding Team
Santanu Mishra did not take this journey alone. He reached out to a few like-minded professionals from his network — fellow lawyers, bankers, and social workers — who shared his belief that privileged professionals must give back to society. This founding group agreed to contribute not just money but time, expertise, and credibility. Together, they built Smile Foundation on the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every rupee donated would create maximum social value.
Starting Capital
Unlike many large NGOs, Smile Foundation started with no major external funding. The initial capital came from Santanu’s personal savings and contributions pooled in by his close friends and colleagues. Santanu took a bold step by quitting his corporate job, sacrificing a stable income and personal luxuries. For months, he worked out of a small rented office with a skeletal team, often dipping into his own resources to cover operational expenses and community project costs.
Challenges
The early days were riddled with challenges. Convincing urban donors to fund rural and slum-based projects was tough. The team had to gain trust in communities that had seen countless failed promises. They tackled scepticism by personally visiting villages, conducting surveys, and involving local leaders in every step. Building a team was equally difficult; trained social workers were scarce, and retaining talent with limited funds tested their resilience. Despite financial constraints and logistical hurdles, Santanu remained focused on creating impact at the grassroots level.
Breakthrough
The turning point came when Smile Foundation launched its flagship initiative, the Mission Education program, targeting children’s access to quality education in underprivileged areas. The first batch of students successfully enrolled and completed basic schooling, generating stories that inspired wider support. Media coverage and word-of-mouth trust brought in more donors and partners. This success validated Santanu’s belief that with the right structure, professional management, and community involvement, social change could scale sustainably.
NGO PROFILE: SMILE FOUNDATION
Smile Foundation is a leading Indian development organisation working to uplift underprivileged children and families through education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment programs. Established in 2002 by Santanu Mishra, it operates as a professionally managed NGO with transparent practices and impactful community-based interventions.
Area Served
Smile Foundation works pan-India, covering over 2,000 remote villages and slums in more than 25 states, impacting both urban and rural communities.
Vision & Mission
Vision: To empower underprivileged children, youth, and women through relevant education, innovative healthcare, and market-focused livelihood programs.
Mission: Work as a catalyst to bring sustainable change in the lives of children and families living in difficult circumstances.
Services / Products Offered
- Mission Education: Schooling support for underprivileged children.
- Smile on Wheels: Mobile healthcare units providing primary healthcare in remote areas.
- Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP): Vocational training for youth.
- Swabhiman: Women’s empowerment and girl child education initiatives.
- Disaster Response: Timely relief and rehabilitation support during natural disasters.
NGO Model
Smile Foundation runs on a community participation model, partnering with grassroots NGOs, local stakeholders, and corporates through CSR initiatives. The organisation ensures efficient fund utilisation with robust monitoring systems and regular impact assessments.
Revenue Streams
Revenue comes primarily through individual donations, corporate CSR partnerships, institutional grants, and fundraising campaigns. Smile Foundation follows a 360-degree engagement approach — combining donor trust, program transparency, and measurable outcomes.
Market Landscape
Operating in India’s highly active NGO sector, Smile Foundation is recognised among top development organisations alongside CRY, Save the Children India, and Akshaya Patra. Its unique strength lies in professional governance and impactful, scalable programs.
USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
- High operational transparency and accountability.
- Strong community ownership of programs.
- Integration of development areas: education, healthcare, and livelihood under one umbrella.
- Innovative outreach like mobile health units and community schools.
Growth Highlights
- 750,000+ direct beneficiaries annually.
- 2,000+ villages and slums covered.
- 400+ mission education centers established.
- Recognised by national and international bodies for effective program delivery.
Awards & Recognition
- India NGO Leadership Award
- Best NGO – Education by ASSOCHAM
- Global CSR Leadership Award by World CSR Day
Team Size & Culture
Over 500 employees, including teachers, healthcare professionals, project managers, and volunteers. The culture is collaborative, mission-driven, and rooted in ethical practices.
Future Plans
Smile Foundation aims to deepen its impact by expanding digital education, scaling mobile healthcare fleets, and increasing livelihood training centres. The focus remains on empowering communities to become self-reliant.
CONCLUSION
“We do not just give charity; we invest in human potential. Real change happens when people are partners in their own development.”
— Santanu Mishra, Smile Foundation interview with The Hindu, 2018
Santanu Mishra’s journey from corporate lawyer to social entrepreneur embodies the power of one individual’s resolve to challenge inequality. Through Smile Foundation, he has shown that real, lasting impact comes from community-driven solutions, transparency, and unwavering compassion. What began as a response to a single child’s plight has evolved into a nationwide movement touching millions of lives. Santanu’s story reminds aspiring changemakers that courage to act, willingness to sacrifice comfort, and deep-rooted empathy can turn an ordinary professional into a transformative leader. Smile Foundation continues to inspire hope, dignity, and self-reliance for generations to come.
