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Philanthropy & CSR

Unpacking trends to understand the rapidly changing landscape of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility in India.

Failure Files podcast written on a dark blue background and an illustration of a person watering a bit F in the ground
October 15, 2021
To fail is to have dared | Rohini Nilekani
Philanthropist, author, and former journalist Rohini Nilekani speaks to India Development Review (IDR) co-founder and CEO, Smarinita Shetty, on why failure needs to be underwritten in the social sector, and how philanthropists must develop more patience and create a space that normalises failure in the context of nonprofit work.
2 min read
light at the end of the tunnel_pxhere_social stock exchange
October 11, 2021
Are we moving towards a truly ‘social’ stock exchange?
SEBI recently approved the creation of India’s social stock exchange. We analyse some of the strengths and shortcomings of its proposed framework and operational structure.
by Amiya Walia, Anushree Parekh, Shivina Jagtiani | 7 min read
closeup of one person handing a package to another_pxhere-philanthropy
September 27, 2021
Individual giving in India at an all-time high
The India Giving Report 2021 finds that individual donations in India went up by 43 percent during the pandemic. Other trends include a preference for local philanthropy and giving to new causes.
by Satviki Sanjay, IndiaSpend | 5 min read
ration distribution during COVID-19-philanthropy in India
September 7, 2021
Reflections: Philanthropy in India during COVID-19
Vidya Shah of EdelGive Foundation talks about what funders did and didn’t get right during COVID-19, and what the way forward should be.
by Devanshi Vaid, Smarinita Shetty | 6 min read
image of a phone in the hands of someone attempting to type-technology for nonprofits
September 2, 2021
How to think about funding technology in the social sector
Funders need to broaden their approach to supporting technology, focusing as much on the tech ecosystem as they do on individual projects.
by Riah Forbes | 4 min read
Close-up of an arrow on a straw archery board-social responsibility of business
August 31, 2021
Building purpose beyond CSR
Embedding a core purpose into their business ethos can help companies move beyond a compliance-based attitude towards CSR.
by Monica Moses, Rama Iyer | 6 min read
wrong math problem on board-philanthropy funding nonprofits
July 22, 2021
Where Indian philanthropy has gone wrong
The cost-based funding approach of Indian philanthropists does more harm than good for nonprofits and for their impact.
by Rathish Balakrishnan | 4 min read
Close up of brush on watercolour sheet_pixabay_blended finance in India
July 21, 2021
How blended finance can support India’s COVID-19 recovery
Blended finance can improve the quality of India's spending on healthcare and education; and bring the country closer to achieving its development goals.
by Aakif Merchant | 5 min read
light bulb drawing pinned to a corkboard-unrestricted grants
July 15, 2021
Why can’t more philanthropists think like MacKenzie Scott?
Unrestricted grants for nonprofits are hard to come by. Here's why funders need to place bigger bets on the social sector.
by R Sriram, Vanessa D’Souza | 5 min read
conference room-CSR in India
June 17, 2021
How CSR decisions get taken in India
A closer look at the complex internal CSR decision making processes at companies, and their impact on the social sector.
by Anushree Parekh | 6 min read
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