Family philanthropy in India is undergoing a powerful shift - moving beyond traditional grantmaking to embrace collaboration, bold experimentation, and leadership that spans sectors, geographies, and generations. Catalyzing Change: The Power of Philanthropy - a series on the Unusual Suspects podcast by Moneycontrol in collaboration with GivingPi - captures this evolution through candid conversations with changemakers reshaping how families give and the impact they create. Episode 1 – The Growing Role of Philanthropy Networks in India - Geetika Dadlani on why collective action is reshaping Indian philanthropy, enabling funders to build trust, align purpose, and drive structural change together. Listen here. Episode 2 – Building India’s Philanthropy Infrastructure - Tara Singh Vachani on her journey into giving and why investing in the ecosystem makes philanthropy more informed, intentional, and systemic. Listen here. Episode 3 – India’s New Age of Professional Givers: Prasad Baji on how professionals can channel resources to underserved causes, bringing new skills and perspectives. Listen here. Episode 4 – Nurturing Community Action Through Family Giving: Swati Apte on sparking citizen-led change by nurturing local leadership and civic participation. Listen here. Episode 5 – Indian Diaspora Powering New Possibilities: Andy Kalambi on how diaspora philanthropy can bring expertise, ideas, and networks to strengthen nonprofits, with a focus on biodiversity and natural capital. Listen here. Episode 6 – Intergenerational Philanthropy in Action: Anupama and Sumana Dalmia on how shared values and complementary strengths power durable, intergenerational leadership in giving. Listen here.
GivingPi Member Gaurav Jain, Trustee of the Roop VK Jain Foundation, is driving transformative change for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in one of India’s most underserved districts - Nuh, Haryana. In partnership with Caritas India, the Foundation’s Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) initiative has, since 2022, combined health, education, empowerment, and livelihood interventions to create a community-led model of inclusion and dignity. The program’s impact is tangible: 200 PwDs have secured disability certificates and UDID cards, 92 have received assistive devices, 141 are now linked to disability pensions, and 15 children with disabilities have been enrolled and retained in school. Thirteen village-level SelfHelp Groups have been formed, two already connected to government livelihood schemes, while therapy services, mental health support, and preventive health awareness for pregnant women have strengthened community resilience. This pioneering initiative recently earned the ‘Best CSR Initiative for Disability Inclusion & Empowerment’ award at the India CSR and Sustainability Conclave 2025, affirming its effectiveness in creating lasting change.
GivingPi Members Anandhi and Mahesh Yagnaraman are advancing the power of art as a catalyst for equity and social change through their support of Sumanasa Foundation’s flagship initiative, ‘The Grant Project’. Founded in 2005 and led by acclaimed Carnatic vocalist, author, and activist T. M. Krishna, Sumanasa works at the intersection of arts, culture, and justice, amplifying marginalized voices and reshaping how art is created, shared, and experienced. The Grant Project disrupts conventional models of art-making by providing artists, especially those from socially, politically, or geographically marginalized communities with resources, mentorship, and safe, neutral spaces to pursue authentic, exploratory practice. In its first year, it has nurtured work that pushes the boundaries of tradition, beauty, and relevance, while fostering dialogue free from fear or judgment. Beyond the Grant Project, Sumanasa drives student sponsorships that cover full stipends for economically disadvantaged students training in classical art forms, supports rural outreach and urban arts festivals, and invests in archival preservation. Sumanasa fosters meaningful connections between art, culture and community and works towards cultural treasures to thrive for generations. To know more, click here.
GivingPi Members, Jayesh Parekh, Ricky and Sarina Kirpalani and Mamta Anand, are playing a pivotal role in transforming lives through Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital’s mission of eradicating curable blindness in rural Bihar and UP while creating pathways for women’s empowerment. Since 2017, Advisory Board member Jayesh Parekh has been a strategic force, mentoring the fundraising team, building over 60 partnerships with corporates and family foundations, and contributing USD 300,000 personally. His guidance has helped mobilize over USD 30 million, enabling free eye care and sight-restoring surgeries for more than 3 million beneficiaries across the state. Ricky and Sarina Kirpalani are addressing two forms of blindness, physical and social. Sarina Kirpalani's support has facilitated 3,219 free cataract surgeries, restoring independence to daily wage earners, widows, and elders, while funding five-year scholarships for 33 rural girls in the Football to Eyeball Girls’ Education Program. These first-generation college students receive full residential, academic, and life skills support, positioning them as qualified optometrists and community leaders who challenge entrenched gender norms and become social change agents. Through Marflix Private Limited, Mamta Anand is advancing the same program by supporting 10 rural underprivileged girls in their third year of a Bachelor of Optometry course. Her scholarship covers safe accommodation, nutrition, tuition, and healthcare training, equipping these young women to deliver critical eye care services in underserved regions. Together, these GivingPi members are uniting immediate medical interventions with long-term systemic change, restoring sight, dismantling social barriers, and cultivating a new generation of women leaders dedicated to ensuring no one in Bihar and eastern UP lives in darkness
GivingPi Member Sarita Chand, Co-Founder of Indic AI, continues to advance inclusive education and career opportunities for underrepresented students in India. Through targeted upskilling, mentorship, and academic support, Indic AI is equipping learners to break barriers and thrive in competitive fields. Recent milestones include two students securing placements, one at Brookfield with a ₹6 LPA package, and another at Ambiance Construction with ₹7.2 LPA and one student beginning a six-month software development internship at salarX. In higher education, 17 students gained admission to top Delhi University colleges, and two were selected for the prestigious Integrated B.Tech program at IIIT RK Valley, Andhra Pradesh. Thirteen new learners have joined upskilling tracks ranging from Data Analytics to career preparation and academic coaching. This progress builds on a strong track record - Indic AI’s Entrance Exam Prep Program has already enabled 22 students to enter premier institutions including IIT, IIIT, and leading Delhi University colleges such as Hindu College, Miranda House, and Lady Shri Ram College. Together, these achievements are redefining what’s possible for students from marginalized communities.
Udit Hinduja
A new generation of Bengaluru’s first-generation science and tech billionaires is reshaping Indian philanthropy, moving away from traditional CSR priorities towards high-impact investments in frontier research and systemic change. Their giving reflects the nation’s rising ambitions and a more strategic, innovation-driven approach.
Luiosa MacDonald
A historic $5.2 trillion wealth transfer is giving rise to a new generation of philanthropists, especially millennials who prioritize transparency, collaboration, and measurable impact. By aligning giving with personal values, engaging communities, and embracing innovation, they are reshaping philanthropy into a more strategic and hands-on force for change.
Ankita Tiwari
India has entered the top 100 in the UN Sustainable Development Goals Index for the first time, ranking 99th and marking one of the fastest progress rates among G20 nations between 2015–2024. However, persistent challenges remain in areas like hunger, health, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable communities, requiring accelerated efforts to meet 2030 targets.
