The latest edition of 'The Philanthropist' is here, spotlighting how diaspora leaders are shaping India’s development with strategic giving and bold ideas. This issue uncovers personal stories of risk, resilience, and results—showcasing how visionary philanthropy is driving progress at scale. Discover the journeys of Amita Gupta, Bhagwan Thacker, Deepak Chopra, Jaishree and Desh Deshpande, Pratibha and Ramesh Sachdev and Sonal Sachdev Patel, Pushpa and Bu Patel, Maya Patel, Vikrant Bhargava and Ferose V R—leaders whose philanthropy and commitment are unlocking new opportunities and shifting the landscape of giving in India. Step into the world of diaspora giving. To read the full edition, click here.
Philanthropy is shifting, and these leaders are at the forefront of change. In Season 3 of Unusual Suspects - Chetna Gala Sinha, Gayatri Divecha, Natasha Joshi, and Supriya Balakrishnan unpack how giving can go beyond intent to create real, systemic impact. From reshaping financial inclusion for women to mobilizing corporate philanthropy and challenging power structures in the development sector, these conversations will push us to rethink what’s possible. In collaboration with Moneycontrol, this season dives deep into the role of philanthropy in advancing gender equity - where we are, what’s working, and what must change. To listen to episode 1 with Chetna Gala Sinha, click here. For episode 2 with Gayatri Divecha, click here. To listen to episode 3 with Natasha Joshi, click here. And for episode 4 with Supriya Balakrishnan, click here.
Dasra hosted two impactful convenings on the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum in Oxford, UK, bringing together global thought leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers to explore innovative approaches to climate resilience and gender-focused philanthropy. The first session, ‘Unlocking the Potential of Diaspora to Shape a Climate-Resilient India,’ sparked insightful discussions on how the Indian diaspora can drive meaningful change in climate resilience. Key takeaways included the importance of directing funding toward community-led initiatives, building local capacity to respond to environmental challenges, and the potential for diaspora-led advocacy to influence systemic policy change. The second convening on ‘Powering Change: Women-Led Philanthropy in Action,’ hosted in partnership with the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development at Somerville College, explored the unique role of women-led giving in addressing gender disparities. Panelists highlighted how women philanthropists are not only funding critical interventions but also shifting power dynamics, building agency among marginalized women, and fostering long-term social change. GivingPi Members who attended these sessions were Amita Chauhan, Reema Desai, Sonal Sachdev Patel, and Dr. Nitya Mohan Khemka. As Dasra continues to deepen global engagement with India, these convenings underscore the power of collective action and the role of strategic philanthropy in shaping a more equitable and resilient future.
For 80 years, The Blind Relief Association, Delhi, has been a cornerstone of support for the visually impaired, offering education, skill development, and vocational training. Guided by three generations of the Bharat Ram family, the institution has thrived under the leadership of GivingPi Member, Radhika Bharat Ram, who has steered its growth for the past 15 years - even before her involvement with KARM. As the oldest organization in India dedicated to empowering the visually impaired, the Blind Relief Association offers a comprehensive range of services under one roof - including a specialized school, a Special Education teacher training program, and a computer literacy diploma, among various vocational training initiatives. Its impact was recognized with the prestigious National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2012 for being the “Best Institution Working for the Cause of Persons with Disabilities”. Radhika’s leadership has driven several initiatives, including the Usha Silai program, which equips visually impaired individuals with stitching skills to build sustainable livelihoods; a hostel for visually impaired women; and programs focused on fostering financial independence. Through its unwavering commitment, the Blind Relief Association continues to transform lives, enabling dignity, independence, and a brighter future for the visually impaired. To know more, click here.
The Convergence Foundation (TCF), Founded by GivingPi Member, Ashish Dhawan, is spearheading an initiative to drive job creation and productive employment in Odisha. TCF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Odisha Government to provide strategic support for implementing key development policies and programs aimed at strengthening the state’s employment landscape. The partnership will focus on creating opportunities in the manufacturing and services sectors, increasing agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and promoting sustainable employment - particularly for women. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma, and TCF’s Founder-CEO, Ashish Dhawan. This collaboration marks a significant step toward driving systemic change and empowering communities in Odisha. To know more, click here.
GivingPi Member Mekin Maheshwari is the Founder - CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, which is driving transformative change through the Kaushalam program by fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among secondary-level students in Uttarakhand. Launched in 2022-23 in collaboration with SCERT Uttarakhand, the program equips students with 21st-century skills, encouraging them to identify challenges, design solutions, and build prototypes. Starting with just 10 schools in 2020, Kaushalam has now expanded to over 2,200 schools, impacting more than 3,00,000 students. Recently, the top 500 schools were selected to receive ₹5000 in seed grants to refine their prototypes and scale their ideas into sustainable ventures. This initiative not only builds confidence and problem-solving skills but also positions students as future job creators, addressing challenges like unemployment and migration in the state. To know more, click here.
GivingPi Member Vidyun Goel, Founder & Director of The Toy Bank, is driving a powerful movement to bring the joy of play to underserved children. The Toy Bank, a Charitable Trust, collects and refurbishes used toys, distributing them to children who might otherwise go without. Having reached over 19 states and impacted more than 5 lakh children, The Toy Bank continues to expand its reach and impact. In Delhi, its Safe Playroom Program is transforming the lives of over 3,000 children in slums each year. By establishing safe, engaging play spaces in 7 municipal schools, these playrooms - stocked with over 100 types of toys - are helping children develop language skills, numeracy, life skills, and social-emotional learning. As India’s toy industry shifts toward sustainable and educational products, focusing on STEM and now STEAM learning, The Toy Bank remains at the forefront - empowering children through the power of play and fostering a future of learning, creativity, and inclusion. To know more, click here.
GivingPi Member Shaifalika Panda is the Trustee and Founder-CEO of the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF), which marked a significant milestone with the launch of the second phase of 'Kanya Express' in Choudwar, Odisha. This initiative aims to address anemia and nutritional challenges among adolescent girls by bringing essential healthcare services directly to underserved communities. The 'Kanya Express' is an innovative mobile health van launched in 2021. The program supports the government's Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) initiative and has benefited approximately 9,977 girls across 158 villages in the Cuttack and Jajpur districts. The 'Kanya Express' conducts regular hemoglobin level checks, facilitates the distribution of Iron Folic Acid supplements and deworming tablets through government networks, and educates girls about overall wellness. Additionally, BIPF provides seed kits to establish nutri-gardens in households, ensuring access to proper nutrition. To know more, click here.
GivingPi Member Mahesh Navani serves on the Board of Ekal Vidyalaya, a movement empowering millions in 1,00,000+ remote villages in India with education, digital literacy, upskilling, and healthcare awareness. Mahesh’s dedication to Ekal reflects his deep commitment to social causes and education, helping Ekal expand its reach and impact through his contributions and leadership. Upon receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2025 from IIT Bombay, for his outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, Mahesh dedicated this award to the millions of children in Ekal schools and villages. He shared that their resilience and passion for learning inspire him daily, reinforcing his commitment to education and social upliftment in line with Ekal’s vision of self-reliant villages. Ekal's Integrated Village Development (IVD) program provides critical funding for 30 villages - empowering thousands of people with improved access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. This exemplifies the power of strategic giving in driving meaningful, long-term change.
Rohini Nilekani
GivingPi Founders Circle Member, Rohini Nilekani, reflects on the encouraging findings of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, highlighting how government efforts have successfully bridged pandemic-era learning gaps. With notable improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy, especially in government schools, Nilekani emphasizes the crucial role of early childhood education and the power of community-driven learning in shaping India’s future.
Joe Mathew
The article explores the steady rise in India's social sector funding, driven primarily by public spending and family wealth. Despite this growth, a significant funding gap remains, with spending projected to fall short of future needs.
Shruti Sundaresan, Suresh Ponnappa
This article explores how complex financial regulations and compliance challenges are affecting nonprofits’ ability to create impact. It highlights insights from Dasra’s CFO Community of Practice (CoP) workshop and discusses the need for better financial training, peer networks, and strategic support to help nonprofits turn financial management into a driver of long-term resilience and impact.
