ABOUT US :

Avanti Fellows is dedicated to empowering students from low-income and marginalized communities across India in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by providing them with the competitive exam preparation and resources to excel in these fields. Part of our mission is to bridge the gender gap in STEM education and careers, ensuring that every girl has the chance to pursue her interests and achieve her potential.

The Role :

You're joining a fundraising engine that's being built for scale. Avanti is on track to dramatically expand its reach more Centres of Excellence, more students in top STEM colleges, more proof that background doesn't have to determine destiny. The CSR lane is central to making that happen, and this role puts you at the heart of it.

What You'll Actually Do :

You'll own a portfolio of corporate CSR partnerships - not as a support function, but as a frontline revenue driver with real autonomy.

- Prospect and close new CSR partnerships - identify potential corporates, craft proposals that connect their CSR mandates to Avanti's work, and bring funding to the table.

- Build lasting relationships with CSR heads and corporate foundations - you'll be their primary point of contact, earning renewals and upsells through trust and demonstrated impact.

- Manage the full lifecycle - from pitch to compliance. You'll know your portfolio inside-out.

- Shape how we do this - the CSR function is growing fast. You won't just execute a playbook; you'll help write it. Processes, templates, systems - your fingerprints will be on them.

- Ramp-up: You'll start by shadowing existing relationships and owning smaller tickets, then quickly graduate to larger, more complex partnerships as you build context.

This isn't a back-office grants role. You'll be in the room with decision-makers, making the case for why Avanti deserves their biggest bets.

Who We're Looking for :

- 8-12 years in CSR fundraising, corporate partnerships, or institutional giving - ideally in India's non-profit or social enterprise space.

- You've independently managed 5-10+ active CSR relationships and closed grants in the 1Cr+ range.

- You understand CSR regulations well (Section 135, Schedule VII, compliance timelines) and can navigate them without constant guidance.

- You write well - proposals, impact reports, donor updates. Written communication is a core muscle here, not a side task.

- You're energised by building. This team is scaling, and you want to be part of something that's taking shape, not something that's already set in stone.

- You care about the mission. Avanti exists to get low-income and marginalised students - especially girls - into India's best STEM colleges. That should matter to you.

What Probably Won't Work :

- Pure corporate sales backgrounds without exposure to CSR-specific decision cycles (Board approvals, April-March timelines, compliance layers).

- People who need everything pre-built - if you thrive only in fully structured environments, this pace may feel uncomfortable. We're building the plane while flying it (and enjoying the ride).

- Those who struggle with writing - a huge part of your impact will come through written proposals and reports. There's no way around this.

- People seeking a strategy-only seat - especially in Year 1, you'll be hands-on with execution. The strategic influence comes as you earn it.

What's Hard About This Job :

We believe in being upfront :

- CSR cycles are long - some leads take 6-12 months to convert. You'll need patience, pipeline discipline, and the ability to stay motivated through ambiguity.

- Compliance is demanding and unforgiving - missed filings can damage relationships built over months. Attention to detail isn't optional.

- You're building infrastructure as you go - some partnerships will come to you midstream, some processes won't exist yet. You'll need to bring order without waiting for permission.

- Coordination across teams takes effort - aligning programmes, finance, and leadership requires persistence and clear communication.

But here's the flip side: the people who thrive in these conditions grow fast. You'll develop skills and visibility in 18 months that might take 4-5 years in a more settled organisation.

Why This Role Matters :

India's mandatory CSR spending is estimated at 15,000-20,000 Cr annually - and Avanti's work sits squarely in the sweet spot of what corporates want to fund: education, gender equity, and skilling for underserved youth. This role isn't incremental. It's directly tied to whether Avanti can scale its Centres of Excellence model and hit its 2030 goals - dramatically increasing low-income and female student representation in India's top STEM institutions.

Every partnership you close translates into classrooms, teachers, and students whose trajectories change. You'll be part of a small, high-ownership fundraising team where your work is visible, your wins are celebrated, and your growth isn't bottlenecked by hierarchy.

Compensation & Logistics :

Details will be shared shortly. We are committed to offering a competitive package commensurate with experience and the scope of the role.