Podcast
Funding Hope and Wellbeing | Rohini Nilekani & Melinda French Gates
In this insightful conversation, Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, engages in a heartfelt conversation with Melinda French Gates, Founder of Pivotal Ventures, about the power of wellbeing to inspire welldoing. As part of The Wellbeing Project’s new series, “Cultivating Hope”, Rohini and Melinda discuss the critical role of philanthropy in supporting the wellbeing of social changemakers. Building on Rohini’s […]
Article
The Times of India | Rohini Nilekani writes: Our children have told us a wonderful story
Aser 2024 shows govts succeeded in minimising Covid impact on learning gaps. Rural kids are doing better & govt schools are teaching better than low-fee private schools. A moment comes, not too often, when a society can sense joyful satisfaction. Not elation but a quiet happiness. I believe we should savour such a moment […]
Article
IDR | Do finance and compliance in the social sector need a makeover?
Complex and changing financial rules often make it difficult for nonprofits to sustain their work. To turn finance into a strength rather than a burden, organisations need better training, peer support, and accessible tools. – By Suresh Ponnappa (Chief Financial Officer, RNP) & Shruti Sundaresan (Comms & Community Engagement Lead, RNP) In August 2024, Dasra convened […]
Keynote
India Civic Summit 2025 | Concluding Address by Gautam John (CEO, RNP)
The India Civic Summit 2025, held at the Bangalore International Centre by the Oorvani Foundation, was themed around citizen-led action for climate-resilient cities. Through discussions and workshops, speakers and participants shared experiences to explore ways to make cities more sustainable and liveable. The event also spotlighted community-driven initiatives in addressing climate and civic challenges. Gautam […]
Article
The Indian Express | Rohini Nilekani writes: Vultures, now have more than carrion to feed on — plastic
With the population pressure on land and the unmanageable byproducts of our economic growth, new conflicts emerge. How can we better manage this new tension between humans and animals, between conservation and consumption? A wedding and a suggestion led to an unexpected rendezvous recently. It was an early morning in Bikaner, Rajasthan, when we set […]
Article
Mongabay India | Centring local communities in digital climate technologies
By Tanya Kak (Climate & Environment Portfolio Lead, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies) and Maya Chandrasekaran (Co-Founder, Green Artha) Key Ideas: Digital technologies hold promise for climate action, but their deployment often raises questions of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Climate tech must be built from the ground up, integrating local knowledge and social networks to ensure long-term […]
Article
LiveMint | How to create an ADHD accessible workspace
As awareness of ADHD among adults increases, diagnosed individuals need greater understanding and support from those around them – By Natasha Joshi, Associate Director, RNP In the last five years, google searches for “ADHD” in India have increased 614%. The rates of diagnosis in both children and adults have also increased in the same period. […]
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 […]