Back to resources

Indian diaspora givers becoming a powerful force in global philanthropy

Strategic Philanthropy | Oct 21, 2016

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 in the country.

View PDF

More like this

Strategic Philanthropy

We need to talk about failure in the social sector: NGOs must fail to succeed

A lot of ink is spilled and awards are bestowed each year celebrating the success of the social sector—and there is much to celebrate. But the truth is, if innovation is essential to the ultimate achievements of the sector, we should spend less time on success, and more time on failure. We lament the inability […]
Jan 22, 2019 | Article

Strategic Philanthropy

Rohini Nilekani: On my journey as a philanthropist

This is an edited version of a speech delivered by Rohini Nilekani to a closed door gathering of Asian philanthropists. Most of us in this room are on a journey of discovery as philanthropists. We recognize that we have been lucky, we are fortunate to have wealth way beyond our needs. We want to use […]
Nov 22, 2019 | Speech

Strategic Philanthropy

Nandan Nilekani, wife Rohini commit to donate 50 per cent of their wealth

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and wife Rohini have pledged to donate 50 percent of their wealth under Giving Pledge- a movement initiated by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. Bill Gates appreciated Nilekani couple’s philanthropic initiative in his tweet. “I’m amazed by how Nandan Nilekani has lent his entrepreneurial passion to philanthropy. I’m delighted […]
Nov 21, 2017 | Personality

Strategic Philanthropy

Keeping the Hope Unbroken

It was wonderful to read the thoughtful, frank reflections of so many younger philanthropists on the future of philanthropy. What struck me the most was that almost everyone acknowledged the need to shift and broaden the centres of power, both within philanthropy and in society. It is a great irony that big philanthropy is made […]
Sep 1, 2021 |