Article
IDR | Connection, not abstraction
Philanthropy’s most important role is not to abstract solutions by distilling them into replicable frameworks. It is to nurture the connections that make them possible. – By Gautam John (CEO, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies) The cool November air in Pune carried the aroma of chai, mingling with the low hum of conversation and occasional laughter in […]
Article
ET | Rohini Nilekani writes: #25 For 2025 – Will donors collaborate more to make India’s wealth inclusive?
Indian philanthropy is innovating with growing wealth, particularly through women-led initiatives and professional donors. Collaboration among givers is increasing, focusing on education, health, and institutional strengthening. New intermediaries are assisting in scaling efforts, leading to significant societal impact and an unstoppable momentum in India. Indian philanthropy is growing steadily, though not as much as it should, […]
Article
Supporting Society’s Bridge Builders
In a world of increasing complexity and polarization, system orchestrators drive collective action to achieve outsized impact. – By Don Gips, Tulaine Montgomery, Rohini Nilekani & Cristiane Sultani We are living in a period of human history rife with paradoxes: Societal challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and social injustice are deeply entrenched and getting […]
Article
The EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024
The EdelGive – Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 has named Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson – Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies , the ‘most generous woman philanthropist‘, with a personal donation of INR 154 crores for FY’24. She is a part of the list of top 10 philanthropists in terms of overall giving, while also featuring in the list of […]
Keynote
Skoll World Forum 2024 | Philanthropy’s Role in Change at Scale
At the 2024 Skoll World Forum, many conversations turned to the importance of collaboration in the face of widespread disruption and social unrest. Don Gips and Rohini Nilekani came together to explore philanthropy’s role in activating and accelerating change through networks, partnerships, and knowledge sharing. Addressing the power imbalances in philanthropy, Rohini emphasized the need for […]
Article
The Indian Express | Rohini Nilekani writes: How philanthropy can tilt scales towards a more equitable society
The wealthy are not as reviled by the general public as in many other countries. This is a crucial moment for Indian funders to take ownership of our development narrative and make the country the world’s third-largest economy… Recently, I participated in four unusual philanthropy-related events over just two days in Mumbai. Each one was […]
Keynote
Keynote Address – Launch of “Wealth with Purpose: A Report on Private Indian Philanthropy”
Rohini Nilekani (Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Core Founder of AIP), in her Keynote Address at the launch event for the AIP-BCG report, “Wealth with Purpose: A Report on Private Indian Philanthropy,” emphasised the critical role that the report will play in expanding the understanding of philanthropy in India. She also spoke about the importance of […]
Article
IDR | Investing in communications as a culture and a capacity
By Sahana Jose – Associate Director, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies A majority of grants made by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP) are unrestricted: there are no stipulations on how grantees should use them. Nonprofit partners can freely use these funds for organisational development, including core costs, capacity building, communications, and team engagement. On the other hand, programmatic grants are […]
Panel
Skoll World Forum | Measuring Systems Change
Shifting complex systems toward greater inclusion and equity is no small task. And knowing whether we are making the impact we seek can prove just as difficult. What tools and approaches can we use? How can we promote true learning? How can we partner differently to understand our impact? Join this interactive session to hear […]
Article
The Virus has Reinvented Philanthropy in India
The recent announcement of Susmita and Subroto Bagchi, together with Radha and N.S. Parthasarathy, donating ₹425 crore to set up a postgraduate medical school, along with a multi-speciality 800-bed hospital, at Indian Institute of Science’s (IISC’s) Bengaluru campus is terrific news. Much like the vaccine, this singular shot in the arm for Indian philanthropy will […]
Article
Philanthropy Should be Humble, but not Modest
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground We can definitely say that civil society and the philanthropy sector stepped up rapidly in the face of the pandemic, March 2020 onward. Very quickly, […]
Article
Indian diaspora givers becoming a powerful force in global philanthropy
An emotional link to their roots means causes in the homeland are a principal target for their philanthropic funding. “Certainly they have been giving to charities that are close to home, whether in education or health, or something they were connected with emotionally,” says Rohini Nilekani, a prominent India based donor and champion for philanthropy […]
Interview
Juniper-Akshara tieup provides libraries to poor
Juniper Networks has committed $34,080 to Akshara Foundation over three years to fund children’s libraries and educational resource centres (ERCs). The funding, done through Juniper Networks Foundation Fund, follows an earlier grant of $7,500. In six years Akshara Foundation has worked with over 1.65 lakh children through its educational programmes at the pre-school, in-school and […]