Besides building state-of-the-art products, solutions and technologies, the IT industry has slowly but steadily deployed their knowledge in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for the benefit of the less privileged. NASSCOM Foundation (NF), the social development arm of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies), has taken many initiatives to lead the IT Industry towards changing the social development landscape of India. A catalyst for change, the Foundation's vision is to leverage Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to empower and transform the lives of the under-served. The Foundation's work so far has impacted areas such as development of youth and women, adult literacy, health awareness, IT skills development, micro-enterprises and life-skills.

One of the major projects undertaken by NASSCOM foundation in the social arena has been its NASSCOM Knowledge Network (NKN) initiative. The NKN is designed to engage industry, civil society and governments in synergistic interventions through partnership. The NKN model leverages the power of partnerships and brings together donors, content providers and implementing agencies, thus enabling grassroot organisations to start successful ICT projects. This programme aims to set up Telecentres that are equipped with computers and have connectivity of some sort. It is aimed at creating an enabling environment for underserved communities by facilitating access to information and services. The programme has currently extended to a national grid of 140 knowledge centres across 12 states and 75 districts in India.

Another NF initiative striving to reach out to the underprivileged is titled 'Building ICT Capacities @ the Grassroots (BiG)'. The BiG Programme aims to build capacities of small and medium NGOs in India to use ICT as a part of their activities. The programme's focus is on training and disseminating knowledge gathered locally and through NFs multiple programmes across India. The BiG programme is at the core of the NKN. Therefore, NF has invested energies in building capacities of partner organisations by extensive training of personnel managing knowledge centres under the 'Building ICT Capacities @ Grassroots' (BiG) programme.

Under the BiG programme, with support from Intel, NF has completed three sustainability and entrepreneurship workshops with NGO leaders and NKN telecentre managers.

An extension of the above programme, BiG Tech by NF enables technology companies to route part of their philanthropy and CSR initiatives by donating products and services to NGOs and charities in India with an aim to help NGOs conserve their ICT budget. This program is delivered in India in partnership with TechSoup.

NF intends to become a catalyst, encouraging members to do more, capturing best practices, and promoting and assisting their replication. In addition, NF also aims to facilitate and strengthen the CSR space towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.