Over 190 philanthropists, leaders, and changemakers came together at IPF London 2025 for for a day of ideas, exchange, and collaboration - featuring 8 sessions, 1 roundtable, and a day of ideas, exchange, and collaboration - featuring 8 sessions, 1 roundtable, and 30+ speakers - reflecting the evolving landscape of Indian philanthropy. Rooted in this year’s theme, ‘India for the World, the World for India’, the Forum celebrated the growing momentum of Indian giving, the contributions of the diaspora in shaping social change, and the rise of women-led philanthropy redefining traditional models of giving. Through conversations on mental health, data and AI, narrative building, social entrepreneurship, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, the Forum explored how philanthropy can deepen its intent, embrace innovation, and respond to India’s social challenges with empathy and urgency. Each discussion reaffirmed that India’s development journey is not an isolated one - it is discussion reaffirmed that India’s development journey is not an isolated one - it is part of a part of a global story of shared progress and purpose. global story of shared progress and purpose. !
A big thank you to the Forum’s Co-Chairs - GivingPi Members Dr. Nitya Mohan Khemka, Radhika Piramal, and Sonal Sachdev Patel - for their unwavering guidance, leadership, and support in bringing IPF London 2025 to life.
GivingPi Member Sunil Raisoni, Chairman of the Raisoni Group and Founder of the Raisoni Foundation, leads a multi-dimensional philanthropic vision spanning education, health, environment, social welfare, sports, culture, and research. His four foundations work across Maharashtra through large-scale programs, grassroots engagement, and institution-building. Education remains central, with national quiz competitions, digital literacy programs, scholarships, creative workshops, and the Orange City Literature Festival, which has become a vibrant platform celebrating ideas, reading culture, and artistic exchange. Health and wellness are priorities through preventive care drives, blood donation camps, menstrual hygiene programs, yoga, self-defense, mental well-being initiatives, and community efforts for sanitation and clean water. Environmental sustainability is advanced through tree plantation drives, “Click Green – Book Green” campaigns, and responsible waste management. Social welfare programs support differently abled individuals, marginalized communities, and vulnerable groups through prosthetic limb distribution, learning support, and recognition initiatives.
Sunil’s philanthropy also strengthens India’s sporting ecosystem through District, State, and National-level tournaments in Chess and Badminton, along with major events in football, swimming, futsal, archery, table tennis, and other sports, engaging thousands of youth. Cultural preservation continues through classical music festivals, children’s theatre, arts workshops, and the G.H. Raisoni Karandak, one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing youth theatre competitions. Across all efforts, his foundations combine grassroots outreach with institutional scale to foster holistic, sustainable community development rooted in education, values, culture, and opportunity.
Freedom Employability Academy (FEA), Founded by GivingPi Member, Deepak Chopra, has been empowering first-generation learners from underserved communities across north India’s Hindi belt for over 25 years. Through a network of 1,500 FEA training centers, about 85,000 students attend classes daily, equipping them with English communication, digital literacy, and adaptive mindsets to pursue meaningful careers. A cornerstone of FEA’s work is its mentorship program, where working professionals guide small groups of 15–20 students through five one-hour virtual sessions. Mentors help students build confidence, explore career paths, and navigate personal and professional challenges. Urban programs focus on career planning and broadening horizons, while rural programs introduce students to new opportunities and practical guidance on overcoming obstacles. Mentors make a lasting impact simply by taking an interest and sharing their experiences - no formal preparation is needed. Over 6,500 mentors have contributed 46,000+ volunteering hours, helping students perform better in interviews, work effectively in teams, and pursue more fulfilling lives. FEA is actively inviting volunteer mentors, especially professionals from Tier 1 cities, to inspire and guide the next generation. Register here to become a mentor.
GivingPi Member Ira Khan is the driving force behind the Agatsu Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to mental health and well-being. Founded in 2021, Agatsu - meaning “Self-Victory” - helps individuals find balance in life by fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal equilibrium. The foundation combines preventive support, community engagement, and accessible therapy to promote holistic mental health. Through its community centre in Mumbai, Agatsu hosts free activities, peer support groups for the youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, caregivers, and more, and offers therapy on a sliding-scale to ensure access for all. Their approach is empathetic, non-judgmental, and focused on integrating mental well-being into everyday life. Agatsu also encourages public dialogue around mentalhealth through initiatives like “The Curious Case of…”, a podcast hosted by Ira, exploring therapy, emotional well-being, and self-care in an approachable, jargon-free way. Through Agatsu, Ira Khan is building a community that champions mental health not as a crisis intervention, but as a life-long, inclusive, and empowering practice. To know more about the Foundation, click here.
GivingPi Members Vipul and Shibani Jain, Co-founders of Catalysts for Social Action (CSA), believe that real change begins with empathy and community. Their work focuses on ensuring that children in need of care and protection find stability, opportunity, and the confidence to thrive. Earlier this month, at ‘The Change Table: Together We Shape Hope’, the Jains opened their home to friends eager to understand the realities faced by children in Child Care Institutions (CCIs). Many were surprised to learn that most children in CCIs are not orphans but are placed there due to unsafe circumstances or family distress. CSA’s focus on supporting children beyond 18 - through education, life skills, and mentoring - sparked meaningful reflection. The evening’s highlight was Aruna, a young adult supported by CSA, who shared her journey from institutional care to independence through programs like Bindass Bol and financial literacy initiatives. Building on this spirit, CSA recently launched Udbhav in Raipur, Chhattisgarh - an innovative initiative in partnership with the state administration to strengthen care and protection for children in institutional care. Inaugurated by Honourable WCD Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade, Udbhav integrates nurture, rehabilitation, and aftercare, creating a model that ensures sustained well-being and opportunity for every vulnerable child.
GivingPi Member Parul Mehta, Managing Trustee of the Ishanya Foundation, continues to champion sustainable livelihoods and social entrepreneurship through the Foundation’s flagship initiative — the Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair (YRNF). Now in its 18th edition, the Fair has grown into one of India’s most respected platforms for NGOs, SHGs, artisans, farmers, and social enterprises to showcase and sell their products, while building visibility, networks, and market linkages. Held annually before Diwali, the Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair brings together over 3,000 handcrafted, eco-friendly, and community-made products from 20+ states, ranging from textiles and weaves to organic foods, upcycled goods, artisanal crafts, and festive decor. This year’s theme, Explore, Embrace, Evolve, underscored the Fair’s purpose: connecting rural producers with urban consumers, celebrating India’s handmade traditions, and enabling dignified livelihoods at scale. Beyond the vibrant marketplace, YRNF is a platform where every stall tells a story - of women artisans earning steady incomes, weavers preserving age-old techniques, farmers turning to sustainable practices, and social enterprises building greener and more inclusive futures. The Fair also featured cultural performances, workshops, conversations with makers, and authentic Maharashtrian cuisine, making it a community event rooted in celebration and purpose. Under Parul Mehta’s leadership, the Yellow Ribbon NGO Fair has become a beacon of empowerment, bridging India’s rural and urban economies and providing thousands of individuals and collectives with the opportunity to thrive.
GivingPi Member Poonam Nanda, CEO of the YouWeCan Foundation, continues to champion transformative, preventive healthcare for women across India through the Foundation’s flagship initiative, Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat (SMSB). Built on the belief that early detection saves lives, SMSB is creating a national movement for breast health awareness, screening, and stigma-free conversations. In partnership with Xiaomi India, SMSB has reached deep into India’s heartlands - conducting community-led workshops, screenings, and peer education across states including Assam, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerala, and more. From tea garden workers in Barpeta to youth groups in Dahod and SHGs in Uttar Pradesh, the program ensures that women everywhere can access critical knowledge and care. The initiative’s state-level model, Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa, demonstrates its success: with 1.85+ lakh women screened and 78 early detections, it stands as a blueprint for scalable, structured preventive health. Across districts, local champions, ASHA workers, educators, and survivors are joining hands to build a culture where women lead their own health journeys. Under Poonam’s leadership, YouWeCan is not only expanding access to healthcare - it is reshaping narratives around women’s health, bringing dignity, awareness, and life-saving interventions to communities that have long lacked them.
A.T.E. Chandra Foundation (ATECF), Co-Founded by GivingPi Member, Amit Chandra, has partnered with Pravah for three years through their Capacity Building program, supporting both Pravah’s growth and the wider social impact ecosystem. Through the Saanstha program, Pravah has collaborated with 54 organizations across India - from Jharkhand to Maharashtra, Kashmir to Karnataka. One such partner, Under the Mango Tree (UTMT), which promotes beekeeping to enhance rural livelihoods, experienced meaningful growth with ATECF’s guidance. Weekly mentor calls strengthened trust between on-ground and office teams, while a two-day leadership workshop encouraged collaborative decision-making and creative fundraising approaches. UTMT reflects that this journey has been “extremely helpful” in clarifying priorities and building stronger leadership practices. Their gratitude to ATECF underscores how consistent, thoughtful support can help organizations not just grow but truly flourish.
By ET Online | The Economic Times
India’s philanthropic landscape is evolving, with family-led and next-generation donors focusing on long-term, structured social impact rather than one-time charity. The article, featuring insights from Geetika Dadlani, Head of GivingPi, and Neera Nundy, Co-Founder & Partner at Dasra, highlights how the “Three E’s” - Ease of Learning, Giving, and Collaborating - are strengthening strategic philanthropy nationwide.
By Natasha Joshi | Alliance Magazine !!
Artificial intelligence offers immense potential for social impact, but it also creates new forms of human vulnerability, particularly psychological and emotional harms that philanthropy must address. The article argues that funders should invest in research, participatory learning, and patient capital to understand and mitigate AI’s unintended consequences, ensuring technology serves society without leaving the most vulnerable behind.
By Amrat Singh and Pritika Nayak | Policy Circle
India’s philanthropy sector is growing rapidly, but to truly advance the SDGs, it must move beyond short-term charity toward long-term, systems-focused change that engages communities, strengthens governance, and fosters collaboration. The article highlights emerging models, next-generation philanthropists, and initiatives that illustrate how strategic, data-driven giving can create sustainable, equitable impact.
