Grace Cancer Foundation raises ₹1 crore through NSE Social Stock Exchange

Hyderabad: Grace Cancer Foundation, a Hyderabad-based charitable trust, marked its entry into India’s Social Stock Exchange with a bell-ringing ceremony at the National Stock Exchange headquarters in Mumbai on November 12, 2026. Founded by surgical oncologist Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli in 2013, the foundation raised ₹1 crore through an oversubscribed public fundraising issue. The listing marks the 18th on the NSE Social Stock Exchange.

The foundation launched its Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) issue from October 7 to October 9, 2026. The issue received subscriptions exceeding 100% of its ₹1-crore target. The funds will support early detection programmes and 10,000 cancer screenings for underserved communities across North Telangana.

EQUIPPP served as the issue’s advisor and provided listing-related support. Individual contributions were accepted through platforms such as Zerodha and ICICI Direct, with a minimum application amount of ₹1,000. The foundation also pledged to work with EQUIPPP’s Constituency Development Framework on pilot projects in Kodangal and Manthani.

Dr. Sunkavalli said his work as a surgeon allowed him to operate on only one patient at a time. However, preventive healthcare, early detection and large-scale screening could help him reach millions of people. He said these efforts could prevent many people from needing surgery.

NSE Senior Advisor Shailesh Pathak said the model offered scope to expand cancer screening across Telangana. He pointed to the State’s 119 Assembly constituencies and called for wider use of the Social Stock Exchange to mobilise resources. Pathak also suggested that raising ₹1 crore every month could support screening initiatives across the State.

Social Stock Exchange offers a regulated route for public contributions

Unlike conventional stock exchanges, the Social Stock Exchange enables eligible non-profit organisations to raise funds for social development. Grace Cancer Foundation issued ZCZP instruments worth up to ₹1 crore through the NSE platform. Its fundraising document, dated September 30, 2026, set the face value of each instrument at ₹10 and the minimum application at ₹1,000.

The issue required subscriptions of at least 75% of its size, or ₹75 lakh. ZCZP instruments carry no interest and do not require repayment of the principal. Instead, organisations use the contributions for stated social objectives and must meet disclosure, governance and impact-reporting requirements.

The foundation’s NSE Social Stock Exchange registration number is NSESSENP000165. Its fundraising document identifies it as a public charitable trust registered in Hyderabad, with registrations under relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

Founded in 2013, Grace Cancer Foundation works in cancer awareness, early detection, screening, treatment support, rehabilitation and research. It has conducted public health initiatives and cancer awareness programmes across several regions in India. Through the Social Stock Exchange, the foundation aims to move towards a structured and transparent model of public fundraising.

The platform gives non-profit organisations access to a wider pool of donors and impact contributors. It also helps them demonstrate credibility through financial disclosures, governance standards and measurable outcomes. Meanwhile, contributors can gain greater transparency about how organisations use their funds.

The foundation’s future plans include a Centre of Excellence for Preventive Oncology and AI-enabled mobile cancer screening units. It also aims to expand cancer and non-communicable disease screening, develop digital health platforms for rural communities and pursue research partnerships in preventive oncology.

Its proposed Preventive Health Mission seeks to improve early detection and access to screening among underserved communities. The NSE ceremony, titled “Celebrating a Milestone in Social Impact”, highlighted the growing role of non-profit organisations in India’s capital markets.

For Grace Cancer Foundation, the listing brings healthcare philanthropy, public participation and institutional accountability together. The foundation aims to use this funding route to expand preventive healthcare and strengthen its work against cancer.