The Wellbeing Project’s Post

Many Names, One Purpose: Advancing Social Good Around the world, organizations working for social change may be known by different names—Nonprofits, NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), Social Enterprises, or Social Impact Organizations. Some focus on sustainability, others on education, health, or equity. Despite the varied nomenclature, their mission is united: to create a better world. 🌍 A Shared Global Force 1.5 million nonprofits operate in the U.S. alone, contributing 5.6% of GDP. Globally, NGOs employ over 48 million people, making them one of the most powerful workforces for change. Social enterprises are growing rapidly, with over $2.5 trillion invested in impact funds as of 2023. These organizations reflect humanity’s shared desire to solve pressing problems and empower communities. However, their paths to achieving this vary based on culture, funding models, and priorities. At Upahara, we see firsthand how bridging these sectors creates greater impact. By equipping philanthropists with insights and tools, we amplify their ability to support causes across this broad spectrum of changemakers. Whether it’s funding clean water projects, empowering education, or tackling climate resilience, the potential is exponential when we work together. A Call to Action Regardless of what we call them, these organizations represent humanity’s collective conscience and capacity for empathy. Let’s support them with our time, talents, and treasure. Their success is our shared legacy. #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #Nonprofits #NGOs #Sustainability #SocialEnterprise #Upahara

Readings on Enabling Systems Change & and the Role of Philanthropy This week in #FridayFinds, Phil Buchanan from the Centre for Effective Philanthropy writes, “Thoughtful donors and foundations reject the notion that there need be a dichotomy between strategy, assessment, evidence, and learning on the one hand and trust, listening, and flexible support on the other.” How can empathetic, trust-based funders support catalytic leaders toward systems change? Panorama Global Ankita Patel led a conversation about #CollaborativeFunding, noting, “Collaborative funds play multiple roles in translating between stakeholders – they are able to tell stories of impact and demonstrate how issues intersect and are interconnected, creating multiple entry points to engage and co-develop approaches for impact.” Meanwhile, Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and Forbes Foundation, DESTA Research LLP and SVP India in partnership with Dasra spent some time with organk through how to overcome barriers to sustainable funding by engaging in #SystemsThinking, brainstorming on how the whole system can shift to enable the kind of intentional giving that Buchanan describes. On what a trust-based funder looks like, he says: “They recognize that trust develops over time. They embrace mutual accountability. They realize that, while the knowledge and expertise of those closest to issues should be respected, foundation staff and donors do often possess useful knowledge, too.” What do you think? #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #SystemsChange #Philanthropy #IndiaPhilanthropy #Giving

Explore how flexible funding is shaping India's development journey in this insightful opinion piece by GivingPi Member Govind Iyer. Discover why empowering NGOs with adaptable resources is key to creating lasting impact in the social sector. Read the article below to understand the transformative potential of this approach. https://lnkd.in/dvNwfegD SVP India, Give, Infosys, Warburg Pincus LLC #philanthropy #development #sustainabledevelopment #NGO #funding #impact #transformative #article

GivingPi recently hosted a reflective and thought-provoking gathering with Rohini Nilekani (Founders Circle Member, GivingPi and Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies). This gathering focused on discussing themes and perspectives on reimagining social change on an exponential scale. Rohini's insights highlighted successful philanthropic strategies, sparking an inspiring discussion on diverse approaches to giving. The event emphasized the importance of preserving India's art, culture, and heritage, while also addressing critical issues like waste management. Key perspectives discussed focused on leveraging technology and involving youth and talent in Foundations and civil society organizations to maximize impact. Rohini also underscored the importance of the three key spheres in philanthropy - Samaaj (society), Sarkar (government), and Bazaar (market) - based on her philanthropic journey. The discussion illuminated innovative pathways for initiating small changes that trigger a domino effect, leading to significant and rapid social transformation. Participants engaged with Rohini and each other to uncover ideas that can drive greater and swifter social impact. GivingPi Members who participated and attended this gathering were Digvijay Singh Kathiwada, Fiona Dias Miranda, Kailash Nadh, Karishma S., Luis Miranda, Neha Mehta, Nikunj Jhaveri, Radha Goenka, Siddharth Somaiya, Swati Apte and Sonakshi Agarwal. We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rohini, the RNP team and all the attendees for making this event a huge success. #givingpi #familyphilanthropy #familygiving #philanthropy #socialchange #perspectives #impact #india

🌟Strengthening philanthropy: Building a path for sustainable social investment🌟 In #Pakistan, Philanthropy is evolving beyond traditional charity to become a powerful tool for sustainable social investment. A recent article by Abdullah Khalid, Maheen Rehan and Rabea Nawaz emphasizes the critical need for aligning #philanthropic efforts with #national priorities to enhance #socialequity and promote #economicresilience. 📌 Key Insights from the Article: ✅ Shifting Focus: Moving beyond traditional charity to strategic, long-term investments that address systemic issues. ✅ Collaboration Matters: Strengthening public-private-philanthropic partnerships to enhance innovation and scalability. ✅ Empowering Marginalized Groups: Ensuring that resources address inequities and create opportunities for vulnerable communities. ✅ Transparency and Accountability: Building trust through measurable outcomes and effective governance. 🔗 Read the Full Article Here: https://lnkd.in/dM6bVEmv Let’s work together to reimagine philanthropy as a driving force for sustainable and equitable growth! 💡 #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #SustainableDevelopment #Equity #SDPI #sdc27 #cpse Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri Ahad Nazir Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives SME Business Support Fund, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of Pakistan. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) AVPN

India Philanthropy Forum 2024 Boston, co-anchored by Indiaspora & Dasra successfully convened 160+ diaspora philanthropists, foundations, NGO leaders, sector experts, and academicians from Boston and across the USA. The forum fostered fresh ideas and discussions on enhancing diaspora giving, driving sustainable impact in areas like gender equity, climate action, collaboration, and social innovation—all with a shared mission of reimagining India by 2047. Some of the key highlights of the forum included, The event underscored the evolving role of philanthropy in India, highlighting its potential to drive sustainable change by going beyond financial contributions to include expertise, networks, and time, while emphasizing the critical role the diaspora can play in turning this vision into reality. Collaboration emerged as a key theme, with funders, experts, and advisors encouraged to align efforts and pool resources to address India's complex challenges. Innovation was highlighted, urging funders to embrace risk and trust NGO insights to develop long-term solutions. Data and technology were recognized as essential tools for evidence-based decisions and measurable impact, while climate resilience was prioritized as integral to sustainable development. Gender equity was reaffirmed as central to progress, with a call to remove barriers and create opportunities for women and girls, unlocking transformative change for a more equitable and resilient India. The convening reaffirmed our conviction: India is a land of boundless opportunity, and bold philanthropy has the potential to drive lasting change. MR Rangaswami | Sanjeev Joshipura | Shoba V. | Amita Bapat - Siddiqui | Neera Nundy | Deval Sanghavi | Shailja Mehta | Jyotirmoy Chatterji | Ethna Ghosh | Prachi Pal (She/Her) | Reeva Kulkarni | Jayant Thanvi

Beyond Profits, Towards Progress! 🌱 Delve into the inspiring stories of Indian business leaders driving change through philanthropy and social responsibility. Building Businesses, Building a Nation: Highlighting the Philanthropic and Social Responsibility Initiatives of Indian Business Leaders Read More: https://shorturl.at/MyG0r #BusinessForGood #NationBuilders #SocialResponsibilityHeroes

Philanthropy is often described as a way to give back, but we believe it’s much more than that. For our Capacity Building head, Poonam Choksi "It’s about creating real, lasting change that addresses the root causes of the challenges we face and creates an impact that outlives us." Below are some of her initial thoughts on the Wealth with Purpose report by Accelerate Indian Philanthropy (AIP) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), that provides insights from 100 top philanthropists, detailing how private philanthropy can drive systemic change and sustainable development. "In the recent report by AIP and BCG on Wealth With Purpose, one insight stood out for me: If India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) channeled just 5% of their incremental wealth, we could unlock ₹75,500 crore annually for social good. That’s three times the government’s budget for women and child development. What would we do with that kind of capital? We could transform quality of education, revolutionize healthcare, and scale climate resilience efforts. But here’s the thing—it’s not just about the money. As our co-founder, Amit Chandra so powerfully puts it in the report: “Philanthropy is deeply personal. It’s a way of giving back to the society that helped create our wealth in the first place.” This resonates deeply with me. I’ve seen how powerful it is when giving becomes intentional—not just writing a cheque, but really thinking about the how, where, and why of every rupee spent. At our foundation, we work every day to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to think bigger and bolder, enabling them to solve problems at scale. For philanthropy to truly move the needle, the aspirations of NGOs must align with the boldness of the philanthropists supporting them. Together, we can address the sticky, systemic challenges that plague generations to come. The Wealth With Purpose report is a must-read for anyone in the philanthropic space. It shares incredible stories of philanthropists who are shifting from generosity to impact, and from charity to systems change." What’s the one thing you think philanthropy should do differently to build a better future? We would love to hear your thoughts. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/dQ7-rj7y.

In part 1 (of 4) of this blog series from Solidarity Foundation Bangalore they examine how #COVID19 prompted funders to change policies and practices. "It was the beginning of a transformation, hinting at how philanthropy could - and should - operate." Have these changes taken root? Stay tuned for the next blogs in the series! #ShiftThePower https://lnkd.in/eYmFySjV

Asia is home to more billionaires than any other part of the world, according to The Economist. And at the same time, more than 233 million people live there on less than US$1.90 a day. Against this background of accelerating health and unmet need, the role of philanthropy in Asia has never been more crucial. New research from my Bridgespan colleagues: 5 high-impact practices for philanthropies looking to achieve meaningful and enduring impact with their giving.