(L to R) Ami Misra, Associate Director, Dasra; Harish Shah, Founder and Managing Director Signet Capital Pvt. Ltd.; Radhika Bharat Ram, Founder and Chairperson, Karm Trust and Jt. Vice Chairperson, The Shri Ram Schools; and Sumit Tayal, CEO, Give. The panelists in discussion on India’s Giving Edge: Families Paving the Way for 2047 | Dasra
Dasra, a leading strategic philanthropy organisation that promotes social change by acknowledging diverse challenges, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, concluded its Dasra Philanthropy Week (DPW) yesterday. Anchored in the theme Rising@2047, the convening brought together philanthropists, leaders, and changemakers to explore collaborative pathways to foster inclusive growth and address systemic challenges.
A key highlight of DPW was the India Philanthropy Forum (IPF) Mumbai chapter, which is a dynamic platform for dialogue, innovation, and action. It has been built on its successful chapters in London, New York, and Boston. The idea for IPF Mumbai is to catalyse partnerships that further Dasra’s mission of ‘India for the World, the World for India’. Through collaborations and discussions, IPF Mumbai aimed to strengthen India’s role as a global leader in philanthropy and systems change, driving collective action to address the country’s most pressing challenges.
(L to R) Neelesh Hundekari, Partner, Kearney; Sneha Menon, Manager, Dasra; Aditi Venugopalan, Regional Partnership Lead, Teach For India; Sarfraz Sheikh, Program Director, Kotra Adivasi Sanstha; Bashir Ahmad Lone, Voluntary Medicare Society; and Sanchita Mitra, National Coordinator, SEWA Bharat. The panelists in discussion on Courses of Action: Understanding Nonprofit Impact in India | Dasra
The forum saw panel discussions and insightful conversations on various topics like India’s Giving Edge: Families Paving the Way for 2047; Reclaiming Equity: Centering Queer Voices in Gender Equity; Shifting Margins: Driving Actionable Change for Women, Girls and the Marginalised; Aspirations of the Future: Adolescents in Gujarat Leading Change; Harnessing Philanthropy for Climate Resilience in India; Paradigms for a Better Future: Data and AI Implications for Social Good; Courses of Action: Understanding Nonprofit Impact in India; Seeds of Hope: Cultivating Resilience in the Face of Adversity; and Collaboratives for Change: Mainstreaming Vulnerable Communities.
(L to R) Yamini Atmavilas, Director, Dasra; Amira Shah Chhabra, CEO and Director, Harish & Bina Shah Foundation; Rati Forbes, Director, Forbes Marshall Foundation; and Anupama Anand, Program Officer, Gates Foundation. The panelists in discussion on Shifting Margins: Driving Actionable Change for Women, Girls and the Marginalised. | Dasra
Sonya Fernandes, Chief Program Officer, Ashraya Hastha Trust, whose organisation has been around for quite some time but only entered the climate action space five years ago, shares that she is still learning the ropes. “The whole foundation of the climate action space is to set up an organisation that values and cares for tomorrow’s issues and so we had internal conversations about it. While the trustees who are older in age, suggested setting up long-term audacious goals, the younger generation was more focused on ‘now’ and rallied behind doing everything immediately, rather than waiting for a 10-year plan. Act now so that the change can be seen sooner. So at Ashraya, that is the landscape we are looking at, an institution that cares about the future,” she shares.
The forum saw a diverse group of people who shared not only their experiences and challenges but also the successes they have achieved. One such person was Nita Bhil, program participant, Balika Panch for Lohariya village, Setu Abhiyan. A class 10 student, Nita shared how being a part of the panch run by young girls, gave her a voice to express what young girls in her rural neighbourhood were going through. “With the new opportunity and power, girls have now been able to step out of their homes after 7 pm freely, several have been able to pursue education among other empowerment,” says the spirited teen.
Nita Bhil, program participant, Balika Panch for Lohariya village, Setu Abhiyan | Dasra
The India Philanthropy Report 2025, co-created by Dasra and Bain & Company, was also launched. It explores the growing role of family businesses in shaping India’s economic and social landscape through personal philanthropy and CSR. The report highlights key trends across different funder archetypes, emphasising the significant contributions of family philanthropy to nation-building.
Neera Nundy, Co-founder, Dasra, shared, “The Indian Philanthropy Forum is a catalyst for bold ideas and collective action, bringing together leaders to accelerate impact. By bridging capital with communities and amplifying social innovations, we are strengthening philanthropy’s role in shaping a more equitable and resilient India.”
