GivingPi’s flagship digital magazine returns with its most ambitious edition yet - bringing together 14 in-depth conversations with some of the most influential voices shaping philanthropy today. This edition explores what it truly takes to sustain impact over time. Across themes ranging from climate action, arts and culture, diaspora philanthropy, education, livelihoods, animal welfare, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and healthcare, these stories move beyond intent to examine philanthropy as it is practiced - complex, evolving, and deeply human.
Featuring insights and lived experiences from Anita Dongre and Mukesh Sawlani, Anu Aga, Meher, Pheroz, Lea and Zahaan Pudumjee, Ashok and Shital Bhansali, Indira Bodani, Kailash Nadh and Nithin Kamath, Keshav Suri, MR Rangaswami, Neelesh and Vishpala Hundekari, Nitasha Thapar, Ranjit Barthakur, Richa Agarwal, Rohini Nilekani, Sunil Wadhwani, Vijay and Marie Goradia and Sapphira Goradia Shaw.
Together, these philanthropists reflect on patient capital, value-led decision-making, and the systems and relationships required to carry change forward - bringing together perspectives and lived insights that aim to strengthen and inspire the broader ecosystem.
This is philanthropy that stays - with the work, the people, and the outcomes. To read the full edition, click here.
Over the past several months, GivingPi joined hands with the Anita Dongre Foundation (ADF) as the philanthropy advisory partner for Rewild 2026, a philanthropy collective galvanizing support towards the diverse yet interconnected sub-sectors of animal welfare in India. Together, our teams worked to raise awareness and mobilize support for Rewild’s partner organizations across the pillars of Conservation, Community, and Culture. On the 9th of January 2026, the Rewild Fashion for Good brunch, graciously hosted by Anita Dongre and HRH Radhikaraje Gaekwad at the Lukshmi Vilas Palace celebrated stories of change and impact, spotlighting the commitment and achievements of these organizations. Together, they reflected what Rewild 2026 truly stands for, collective action across the interconnected domains of animal welfare, all enabled by the confluence of philanthropy, impact, and fashion. The day culminated into a beautiful showcase of the Rewild collection, drawing inspiration from nature and supporting artisans.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to the Anita Dongre Foundation, GivingPi Members and our founding champions, Aditi Kothari Desai and Parag Agarwal, and most importantly, the partner organizations, Nature Conservation Foundation, Friendicoes, Wildlife Conservation Trust, FIAPO and Green Tuesday Initiative, working tirelessly to make coexistence a reality. The grants enabled through the Rewild pooled fund will support the implementation of identified programs across 2026–27. To learn more about Rewild 2026, click here.
GivingPi Member Vidhi Shanghvi, Founder of Mann Talks - an initiative of the Shantilal Shanghvi Foundation; continues to champion inclusive and accessible mental health care, guided by the principle of Leave No One Behind. Rooted in the belief that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, Mann Talks works to democratize access to mental health information, strengthen support systems, and improve the quality and reach of care, with the aim of positively impacting 1 crore Indians affected by common mental health concerns. Mann Talks provides free and confidential tele-counselling and email counselling, along with long-term therapy at subsidized rates. A strong emphasis is placed on prevention and early intervention through practical tools for everyday mental well-being, awareness sessions, and open-access resources that make reliable mental health information widely available. As part of this preventive approach, Mann Talks also offers free, science-based well-being support through global expert-guided mindfulness audio sessions in English and Hindi, as well as live, expert-led courses in flexible 2- to 8-week formats, at subsidized rates. Over the past 5 years, Mann Talks has facilitated over 48,000 counselling sessions, engaged more than 1.8 lakh mindfulness users, and reached 68 lakh+ individuals through awareness, outreach, and self-care initiatives. This work remains anchored in normalizing help-seeking behavior, reducing stigma, expanding access to evidence-based resources, and creating safe spaces for individuals to engage meaningfully with their emotional well-being. To extend its reach across diverse communities, Mann Talks partners with organizations and institutions including the Mental Health Support Foundation, Sion Hospital, Agatsu Foundation, Agastya International Foundation, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, the National Institute for Urban Affairs, and most recently, Dani Sports Foundation and Girl Effect.
GivingPi Member, Neha Mehta, Honorary Joint Secretary at the Society for the Rehabilitation of Crippled Children (SRCC), Mumbai, continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening access to compassionate, multidisciplinary care for children with disabilities. With long-standing leadership at SRCC, including her tenure as Managing Trustee, Neha has consistently championed holistic rehabilitation approaches and the importance of extending quality care beyond urban centres to reach more families in need. Founded in 1948, SRCC delivers integrated pediatric rehabilitation and healthcare through its Centre for Child Development and SRCC Children’s Hospital, supporting children to achieve greater independence and an improved quality of life. In alignment with this mission, SRCC marked World Occupational Therapy Day with an awareness session titled “Building Independence - Helping Children Master Daily Life Skills,” designed specifically for parents of children with special needs. Led by the Occupational Therapy team, the session focused on empowering parents with practical tools and strategies to support everyday independence - covering developmental milestones in self-care, as well as common challenges that impact confidence and growth. Through interactive discussions, demonstrations, and personalized guidance, parents learned actionable, home-based techniques including task breakdowns, visual schedules, positive reinforcement, and creating supportive environments. With strong participation and engagement, the session reinforced a powerful message at the heart of SRCC’s work: occupational therapy is not just about treatment, but about empowerment - helping every child unlock their potential, one skill at a time.
GivingPi Member, Rouble Nagi, Founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, is advancing women’s economic empowerment through Studio Saksham, a social initiative focused on making rural women capable, confident, and financially independent. Designed as an e-commerce village market platform, Studio Saksham supports over a thousand women artisans from remote regions, creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods and regular employment in slums and villages. Grounded in the belief that empowering one woman can transform an entire household - and, in turn, a community - Studio Saksham combines a strong social mission with business discipline, innovation, and entrepreneurial rigor. By forging partnerships with rural artisans and providing access to global markets, the initiative enables women to build self-reliance, economic security, and long-term independence. Through this blended model, the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation brings together the strengths of philanthropy and enterprise, laying the foundation for enduring impact and collective progress.
GivingPi Member, Dr. Priti Rao, Founder and Chairperson of Aatmaja Foundation, brings a deep commitment to women’s empowerment shaped by her leadership across both corporate and social sectors. Under her vision, the Pune-based Aatmaja Foundation has grown into a nurturing ecosystem that goes beyond scholarships - supporting over 400 girls across Maharashtra through education, mentoring, and hands-on skill development to help them become confident, capable, and independent. Recently, Aatmaja Foundation’s Multi-Skill Vocational Program took a significant step forward, impacting 100 students through structured, experiential learning sessions. The program focused on practical skill-building across carpentry, pipe joints, threading, land preparation, and seed treatment - combining technical knowledge with real-world application. Each session was thoughtfully designed with clear objectives, safety practices, demonstrations, group activities, and continuous instructor guidance, ensuring students learned not just what to do, but how to learn through experience. Beyond technical skills, the program sparked a visible transformation in student confidence and engagement. Through regular Q&As, group work, and supervised hands-on tasks, students overcame the fear of using tools, strengthened communication, and actively participated in their learning. With the support of partners Mastek and Navsanjeevan Social Trust, Aatmaja Foundation continues to empower young minds with skills that build confidence and lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient futures.
GivingPi Member, Aradhana Rai Gupta, Co-Founder of Baala, has completed a transformative 12-month program in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, reaching over 10,000 girls and training 150 teachers to strengthen menstrual health awareness and access across schools and communities. By investing in the health and dignity of girls and women, Baala is creating lasting change at the grassroots - equipping young people and educators with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to normalize conversations around menstrual health and build supportive environments. This achievement demonstrates what is possible when a district prioritizes girls’ health and well-being. With continued commitment and expansion, their impact over the next 12 months could reach even more communities, shaping futures and empowering the next generation of women leaders. Baala invites partners to join this journey - adopt a district and help extend menstrual care to more girls and women across India. To learn more or get involved, contact [email protected]
GivingPi Member, Hima Reddy Machani, Director at Indivillage Foundation, continues to champion digital inclusion and gender equity through Tech Her Forward, a program designed to help girls explore technology with curiosity, confidence, and responsibility. In a recent session, girls engaged with AI tools like ChatGPT in a safe and guided way. Through Tech Her Forward, Indivillage Foundation is reaching girls aged 12–18 with hands-on learning in digital literacy, coding, AI, and computational thinking. With over 18,000 girls enrolled this year the program is breaking barriers in STEM, nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and self-belief- laying the foundation for future careers in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
GivingPi Member, Prashanth Prakash is the Board Chairman of United Way Bengaluru, which in partnership with SANRAKSHAN Organization, has launched a Skill Training Centre at Chikkanagamangala in Bengaluru. This initiative offers tailoring and beautician courses, equipping women and youth with market-ready skills to strengthen livelihood opportunities and foster economic independence. By providing access to practical training and resources, this collaboration is creating meaningful pathways for empowerment and community transformation. United Way Bengaluru and SANRAKSHAN Organization are committed to creating sustainable impact through skill development, nurturing talent, and enabling participants to shape brighter futures.
By Neera Nundy and Deepali Khanna | Hindustan Times
In this article, Deepali Khanna, Senior Vice President, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Neera Nundy, Co-Founder & Partner, Dasra, make a compelling case for diaspora philanthropy to play a critical role in India’s climate future - moving beyond mitigation to invest in community-led adaptation, resilience, and systems that can withstand growing climate shocks.
By Ami Misra and Mahima Sharda | Alliance Magazine
As private wealth and philanthropic giving in India surge, this article argues that generosity alone is not enough without a strong, well-resourced support ecosystem to guide funders toward meaningful impact. Drawing on the Dasra-P150 report, it makes the case for investing in philanthropic infrastructure - advisors, platforms, and intermediaries—that can turn rising ambition into sustained, effective social change.
By Nisha Dhawan | India Development Review
This article argues that in a volatile and fast-changing world, philanthropy’s greatest lever for systemic change is patient capital—long-term, flexible funding rooted in trust and partnership with local organizations. Drawing on EMpower’s experience, it shows how patience enables innovation, strengthens community leadership, and builds resilient institutions that can drive enduring impact.
