With the enactment of compulsory CSR donation by corporate entities in 2014, an opportunity emerged for Rotary to partner with donor companies in efficiently & effectively deploying CSR funds in meaningful community service projects. In 2016, The Rotary Foundation also established a special global grant mechanism dedicated to accept and leverage CSR donations in India. Successful attempts were made by a few Rotary Clubs to reach out to companies and receive CSR donations under the global grant mechanism. Looking at the overall magnitude of CSR funds available across corporate India and the potential to undertake impact making projects on a sustaining basis, a need was felt to deepen and widen Rotary’s outreach in the Indian corporate world. The aim was to position Rotary as the implementation partner of choice for companies not having their own internal organizations or charitable arms (Foundations) for undertaking community development work. This led to the idea of ‘Rotary CSR Awards’ as a mechanism of recognizing and awarding companies doing excellent community service work using CSR funds. In the first edition, the plan was to invite companies in the Pune region to apply for the awards. Through this initiative, it was expected to significantly enhance Rotary’s Public Image and increase its outreach and connect with CSR donors. RC Pune Central along-with 3 other sister clubs (RC Pune Heritage, RC Pune Deccan Gymkhana and RC Pune Synergy) were given the honour of hosting the first edition of this important Public Image initiative. A core team was established under the Chairmanship of PP Rtn Rakesh Bhargava, District Chair – CSR. This team quickly put together a Jury panel of eminent independent non-Rotarian professionals. The Jury panel approved the structure of the Awards and the application format. Although originally planned to coincide with the Pune Rotary Festival held in Jan’2019, It was decided to postpone the Awards function to a later date to allow the core team to discuss and negotiate an arrangement with The Economic Times who showed interest in partnering with Rotary in this endeavour. The partnership with the Times Group was crystallized in Apr/May 2019. This was followed by a series of advertisements in the ET and TOI announcing the Rotary CSR Awards initiative and inviting companies to apply. As part of the promotional effort, a Panel Discussion was also organized on 21st May’2019 which was reported in the 22nd May edition of the ET. The main awards function will be held on 14th June’2019 at the Conrad Hotel, Pune and efforts are on to invite Chairmen / MDs / CEOs of top companies in Pune (including the applicant companies) to attend. The newly elected MP of Pune, Mr Girish Bapat has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. TRF Trustee Gulam has agreed to grace the Function. This is one of the most significant PI initiatives undertaken this year to enhance and establish Rotary’s credibility in the eyes of corporate donors and the public at large. 114 companies from Pune have applied for the Awards which is a clear evidence of the perceived prestige of the Rotary CSR Awards in the eyes of the corporate world. We have already succeeded in our objective of connecting with a large number of companies in Pune and the post event coverage in The Economic Times and The Times of India will do wonders for our image.