Stay Compliant, Stay Confident: Understanding FCRA for NGOs

Do you know what really counts as a “foreign contribution”? Are you confident that your NGO’s FCRA funds are being used and reported correctly? Do you understand what falls under administrative expenses and how to stay within the 20% cap? And can your organisation safely use FCRA funds for communications, research, or events without violating compliance norms?

If you’ve ever found yourself unsure about any of these, this session is for you.

Join us for an interactive session on understanding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) — a practical introduction to the law and its key compliance requirements for non-profits. This session will walk you through how to correctly receive, utilise, report, and account for foreign funds, while ensuring full compliance with administrative expense limits, annual filings, and FCRA rules related to publications and communications.

Key Takeaways: 

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Understand what qualifies as foreign contribution and how it must be received and used.

• Correctly classify programme vs. administrative expenses under the 20% cap.

• Identify which filings are mandatory (Form FC-4, renewal requirements, etc.) and how to avoid common errors.

• Recognise when publications or research dissemination are allowed and when they may risk being seen as prohibited “media/political activities.”

• Apply best-practice internal controls to maintain strong, audit-ready FCRA compliance.
  

Who Should Attend

This session is designed for non-profit organisations with existing FCRA registration and those planning to apply.
Compliance officers, programme managers, finance teams, and administrative staff will all benefit from the practical insights shared in this session.

About Pacta

Established in 2017 and based in Bengaluru, Pacta is India’s only law firm and think tank exclusively dedicated to serving social impact organisations. Committed to bridging the gap between the intent and implementation of laws, Pacta empowers changemakers through legal consulting, research, and capacity building. Its core services span institutional governance, employment and labour law, policy and compliance, and legal advisory. With a track record of drafting over 1,000 contracts and advising leading organisations like the Azim Premji Foundation and British Asian Trust, Pacta makes law a true enabler of equity and social change.

Before the session

To make the most of this session, you may want to check these short resources:

• Reporting requirements under CSR Law

• Organisational due diligence 

• Mandatory registration for CSR Funding