GivingPi

GivingPi is proud to present 'Let's Talk Philanthropy'. Step into the world of giving with exclusive interviews featuring GivingPi Members and leading philanthropists comprising - Aditi Kothari Desai, Ajay Piramal, Anu Aga, Ashok Bhansali, G.M. Rao, Harsh Mariwala, Hemendra Kothari, Meher Pudumjee, Mohandas Pai, Nandan Nilekani, N.S. Raghavan, Puneet Dalmia, Late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Rati Forbes, Rohini Nilekani, Ronnie Screwvala, Roshni Nadar, Sanjeev Bikhchandani and Zarina Screwvala. Delve into the stories behind their giving- their motivations, the challenges they've overcome and learnings in philanthropy. This series has been created to inspire others through the lived experiences and perspectives of stalwarts in Indian philanthropy. To watch ‘Let’s Talk Philanthropy', click below - https://lnkd.in/dZNkX2Xv DSP Mutual Fund, Piramal Foundation, Thermax Limited, GMR Group, Marico Innovation Foundation, Mariwala Health Initiative, Infosys, Dalmia Bharat Limited, Forbes Marshall, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Swades Foundation, HCLTech, Info Edge India Ltd #givingpi #letstalkphilanthropy #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #insights #learnings #perspectives #lessons #givingback #videoseries #interviews #conversation #discussion #socialimpact #change #stories #inspirational

India’s 4.5 billion farmed animals play a crucial role in food production, livelihoods, and daily life. Yet, their welfare remains an overlooked issue, deeply intertwined with human and environmental sustainability. In this thought-provoking piece, GivingPi Member and Founder of India Animal Fund, Parag Agarwal, along with Dasra’s Kasturi Gandhi and Mahima Sharda, explore how neglecting animal welfare impacts farmers, communities, and the nation’s progress. From ethical farming to policy reforms, this article highlights why a more humane approach is key to India’s sustainable future. To read this article, click here - https://lnkd.in/dfW6saWi CNBC-TV18 #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #animalwelfare #farmedanimals #protection #policy #impact #communities #ethicalfarming #sustainability #india 

GivingPi Member, Hima Reddy, is the Director of IndiVillage Foundation, which is spearheading a campaign to encourage individuals and enterprises to donate their old computers and laptops to support their 'Tech Her Forward' program. This initiative equips adolescent girls in rural schools with essential computer science and 21st-century skills, empowering them to make informed career and life choices. Currently, IndiVillage Foundation is educating 10,231 teenage girls across 99 rural Indian schools through a free three-year STEM education program, focusing on Digital Basics, AI, and Coding. Despite their efforts, over 50% of these girls still lack access to computer labs, which limits their ability to acquire critical digital skills. To bridge this gap, the Foundation is seeking donations of computers from organizations, enabling students to have hands-on learning experiences. Each device will be shared among multiple students, amplifying its educational impact. By donating a computer, you are opening doors to digital literacy, coding skills, and future opportunities in technology for these girls. If you or someone you know would like to donate a device, please click here - https://lnkd.in/dVjH_RpX. To know more about this initiative, click here - https://lnkd.in/gwY4qP_E

Artisan:re, Founded by GivingPi Member Radha Goenka, focuses on transforming conventional farming into regenerative agriculture using a comprehensive 360-degree approach. The organization aims to create a sustainable and scalable positive environmental impact while enhancing the lives of farmers and their families. In the past four years, Artisan:re has trained 1,000 farmers in regenerative practices like avoiding chemicals, crop rotation, and composting, which improves soil health and supports sustainable water and waste management systems. Over 1,400 hectares of traditional farmland have been converted into organic farms, and more than 100 women have been upskilled, promoting economic independence. As a social enterprise, Artisan:re also connects farmers directly with consumers, enabling access to fair markets and diversified income streams while providing consumers with high-quality, sustainable, and traceable products. Artisan:re is registered on Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA), a platform that connects brands and philanthropic partners working together to positively impact the cotton sector and support farmers globally. #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #philanthropy #philanthropymatters #farming #sustainable #scaleable #impact

GivingPi Members Ajay and Brinda Upadhyaya, Founders of Upadhyaya Foundation, are spearheading an initiative in collaboration with GivingPi Member, Pragya Kapoor’s Ek Saath - The Earth Foundation and The Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD). This impactful partnership aims to address the welfare of street dogs on Elephanta Island by tackling overpopulation at its root while ensuring their health and safety. The first phase of the sterilization drive is already underway. WSD’s team has successfully sterilized a number of dogs, who were cared for at the WSD Centre in Sewri, Mumbai, before being safely returned to the island. Building on this progress, more dogs are now under their care, marking the start of a sustainable, long-term solution for the island’s stray dog population. Siddharth Agarwal #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #animalwelfare #partnership #collaboration #wellbeing #ecosystem #solutions #sustainable

GivingPi Member Deepak Chopra is the Founder of Freedom Employability Academy, FEA, an organization dedicated to supporting the UN’s SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. With a mission to uplift 5 million individuals from low-income to middle-income status, FEA has already impacted over 250,000 students across North India’s Hindi belt. FEA’s comprehensive program focuses on building ethical and productive mindsets, teaching core employability skills such as English and digital literacy and providing career guidance and mentorship. By equipping students with essential skills and mindsets, FEA is fostering a more prosperous and equitable future for individuals and communities alike. #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #philanthropymatters #education #socialimpact #livelihoods #mentorship #skills

GivingPi Member, Prashanth Prakash, is the Chairperson and Trustee of Sikshana Foundation which has been instrumental in the launch of Shiksha Copilot, an innovative AI-powered digital assistant aimed at empowering teachers and improving learning outcomes across Karnataka. Shiksha Copilot is a collaboration between Sikshana Foundation and Microsoft Research India, designed to support 1,000 government school teachers. This initiative, backed by Microsoft India, provides teachers with personalized, high-quality teaching resources, including dynamic lesson plans, activities, assessments, and a chatbot for interactive content generation. By offering these tools, Shiksha Copilot helps save valuable time while enhancing the quality of education in both urban and rural districts of Karnataka. The collaboration reflects a shared vision of how governments, NGOs, and the private sector can work together to create impactful educational solutions. #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #education #learning #outcomes #solutions #AI #collaboration #rescources #impact

GivingPi Members, Harish and Bina Shah, of the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF), with advisory and grant management support from Dasra, are marking the completion of the first year of their three - year strategic partnership with 10 non-profit organizations. This cohort is addressing a wide array of critical needs, spanning core sectors like Education, Livelihood, and Health to areas often underfunded—such as Social Empowerment, Arts & Culture, and Sports - as well as global priorities like Clean Water and Mental Health. Operating across 21 states, these organizations serve diverse groups, including women, children, youth, persons with disabilities, and tribal communities. Thus far, the grant program has directly reached 2.1 million people. Rooted in HBSF's giving philosophy, this grant emphasizes goal-oriented support and investment across people, processes, and programs. Reflecting on the value of this partnership with HBSF in enhancing the sustainability of grassroots work, Dr. Abhay Bang, Founder and Director of SEARCH, shared “In my years leading grassroots initiatives, we have been fortunate to find partners like Harish and Bina Shah who truly grasp the power of responsive philanthropy. Their willingness to understand some of our unique challenges - from fencing to protect our staff and patients from wildlife, to the need for mobile medical units in tribal areas, youth leadership, and care and rehabilitation for stroke patients - and to provide flexible support, reflects a deep commitment to a need-based and equal partnership.” Amira Shah Chhabra #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #philanthropy #education #health #livelihood #socialimpact #socialchange #transformative

In November 2024, GivingPi, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins and ACT Grants, hosted a pivotal roundtable titled 'Accelerating Impact: Philanthropy’s Role in Shaping India’s Path to 2047' in Mumbai. This exclusive gathering brought together 15 visionary philanthropists to reimagine philanthropy’s potential as India approaches its centenary year of independence. The discussions centered on three critical themes: leveraging philanthropy as a catalyst for innovation, adopting bold and disruptive approaches to development, and fostering cross-sector collaboration for scalable impact. Attendees explored how philanthropy can drive advancements in technology, research, and data science to address India’s most pressing challenges in health, education, and beyond. The event sparked valuable insights, from highlighting gaps in current philanthropic strategies to identifying opportunities for collective action and partnerships. It also emphasized the urgency of time-sensitive interventions to meet India’s developmental goals. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, this roundtable marked an important step toward pioneering sustainable, high-impact solutions for an equitable and prosperous India. Amita Gupta, John Hopkins University, Adam Khorakiwala, Dr. Akhil Shahani, Neera Nundy, Geetika Dadlani, Susan Dass, Jayant Thanvi #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #philanthropy #roundtable #dialogue #innovation #development #collaboration #scale #impact

GivingPi partnered with AVPN to host an exclusive roundtable at the AVPN South Asia Summit in Chennai. This engaging session brought together funders from across South Asia to share strategies, insights, and experiences that drive systemic change in the region. The discussion explored diverse funding approaches, including traditional philanthropy, CSR innovations, and catalytic investments, while highlighting the critical role of collaboration in addressing cross-cutting challenges like gender equity and climate resilience. Case studies showcased innovative practices, and a moderated dialogue provided opportunities to identify shared priorities and actionable pathways for co-funding and collective impact. The roundtable not only deepened understanding of South Asia’s funding landscape but also strengthened connections among funders, setting the stage for future collaborations within the AVPN and GivingPi ecosystems. Yamini Atmavilas #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #philanthropy #philanthropymatters #summit #event #funding #ecosystem #impact #roundtable #insights