Back to resources

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

Strategic Philanthropy | Jan 22, 2019

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 of the social sector to scale, but we do not support organizations to innovate on a continuous basis. We know that acceptance of failure is an essential part of innovation, which in turn is required for successful outcomes. Yet, we do not bridge the gap. Progress on this issue will require candid communication between social entrepreneurs and the philanthropic community. Unfortunately, such candour is rare. This article presents the perspectives of two sector leaders: Rohini Nilekani, philanthropist, social entrepreneur, and writer; and Kyle Zimmer, award-winning social entrepreneur and Schwab Foundation Fellow. Hopefully, it will spark further conversations within the sector.

Livemint

WEF

WEF PDF

IDR

Alliance Magazine

More like this

Strategic Philanthropy

Disruptive giving

‘Accidental philanthropist’ uses her good fortune and influence to create more opportunities for India’s poor. Deeply involved in initiatives that have unleashed disruptive change in India across a range of issues, from education to the environment, she has mastered the art of giving. View PDF
Oct 7, 2016 | Article

Strategic Philanthropy  |  Civil Society

My Philanthropic Journey: How I Learnt to Stop Worrying and Embrace Failure

This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani in conversation with Vidya Shah, Chairperson & CEO, EdelGive Foundation at EDGE 2020. They discuss Rohini’s insights from her philanthropic journey over the years. My work in philanthropy spans different spaces, from groundwater and sanitation, early learning, social justice and governance, to the arts. I have portfolios […]
Dec 17, 2020 |

Strategic Philanthropy

Nandan Nilekani, wife Rohini join ‘The Giving Pledge’ philanthropy network, donate half their wealth

The Nilekanis are the fourth Indians after Wipro chairman Azim Premji, Biocon chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Sobha Developers Chairman Emeritus P N C Menon to sign up for The Giving Pledge. Infosys co-founder and tech billionaire Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini Nilekani have joined ‘The Giving Pledge’, an elite network of the world’s wealthiest […]
Nov 20, 2017 | Personality

Everyday Giving  |  Strategic Philanthropy

First Givers Club - Signature Workshop with Rohini Nilekani & Nandan Nilekani

This is an edited version of a panel discussion with Mr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Nandan and Rohini Nilekani, for GiveIndia.org, an online donation platform. My journey in the nonprofit sector began with a serendipitous meeting with CV Madhukar. Towards the end of 1999, when my children were starting to become more independent, I was lucky enough […]
Jan 21, 2015 | Conversation