The Tata Trusts have been awarded The Corporate Citizen of the Year Award at the Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence, 2005.

For several decades, the Tata Trusts (the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust) have served the nation through their philosophy of ‘constructive philanthropy’. Instilled by the founder – Jamsetji Tata – who set up the JN Tata Endowment for the higher education of Indians, the Tata Trusts have been sensitive to the development needs of the country and have been guided by a deep sense of commitment towards the country with a vision for national progress and nation building.

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust was set up in 1932 by Sir Dorabji Tata, son of Jamsetji Tata. It is one of the oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations in India and has operated in the spirit of idealism and dedication to nation-building activities. The Trust was the first to set up leading institutions with endowment grants – the first of their kind in the country, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai. Its programme grants are in the areas of management of natural resources, livelihood, education, health and social development initiatives. In 2004-05, the Trust along with a host of smaller allied trusts has disbursed over Rs 1 billion to institutions, NGO programmes and individuals.

The Sir Ratan Tata Trust was set up in 1919, a year after the untimely demise of Sir Ratan Tata at the age of 47. It is one of the oldest philanthropic institutions in India, having played a pioneering role in changing the traditional ideas of charity and introducing the concept of philanthropy. Through its grant making, the Trust supports efforts in the development of society, through institutional grants in areas of rural livelihoods and communities, education, enhancing civil society and governance, health and arts and culture. Besides institutional grants, the Trust also makes individual grants for education and medical relief. During 2004-05, the Trust disbursed Rs 511.46 million to various institutions and individuals.