In 2008, Hindustan Unilever Limited commissioned Sustainability to carry out a strategic stakeholder engagement. Based on the findings, a rigorous and detailed exercise was carried out with the HUL Board to create the Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) as its vehicle for social investment in India. Accordingly HUF has been set up as a Section 25 not for Profit Company in India.

It operates as a subsidiary to HUL. Water for Public Good with specific focus on livelihoods was identified as the key thrust for the Foundation. The Foundation has partnered with five leading global organisations Oxfam, Population Services International (PSI), Save the Children, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme.

The Foundations mission is to improve quality of life through the provision of hygiene, sanitation, access to clean drinking water, basic nutrition and enhancing self-esteem. Past Projects undertaken by foundation: Handwashing, PSI: Improving Health & Hygiene ,UNICEF: Sanitation for All  Water works: Improving access to safe drinking water(Bhopal). 

The programmes across the country recognize the diversity of India’s water challenges across hydrogeological zones, river basins and agro-climatic conditions. This diversity mandates a range of solutions instead of a 'one-way at scale' approach. With communities and farmers at their core, our programmes have delivered solutions that can help them 'Know More' about their critical water resources, 'Save More' using scientific conservation methods, and 'Use Less' water in agriculture.