Letter From Our CEO | Annual Report (FY 2023-24)

Dear Friends,

Looking back on the past year at Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, conversations with young changemakers during our Active Citizenship gathering on a train journey keep coming back to me. Their passion and commitment to driving change left a lasting impact on me. It was a gentle reminder that our role as a philanthropy is not just to fund, but to be co-travellers on a shared journey towards a stronger samaaj.

The past year, with our team firing on all cylinders, we've been able to go deeper with our partners, bring people together in meaningful ways, and amplify the voices that often go unheard. From the Active Citizenship gathering on the train to the well-being event for philanthropies in December, these get-togethers have sparked collaboration, learning, and a sense that we're all in this together.

One of the things I'm most proud of this year is the amount of time we've spent in the field, seeing our partners' work up close. Whether it was visiting the Zenith team in Madhya Pradesh, engaging with the Wildlife Conservation Trust, or meeting with Keystone, Shola Trust, ACCORD, and Kotagiri Medical Hospital in Tamil Nadu, these visits have given us a much richer understanding of the ground realities.

Our partners never cease to amaze me with their resilience, innovation, and sheer dedication to their communities. Time and again, we've seen how flexible, trust-based funding allows organisations to pivot, innovate, and respond to emerging needs. One of our partners put it best: "RNP's support has allowed us to invest in our people, processes, and partnerships in ways that would not have been possible with project-based funding alone."

We've also doubled down on our commitment to learning, recognising that as a philanthropy, our job isn't to sit in judgment of our partners but to learn alongside them in the pursuit of social change. This has meant investing in our own capacity to learn, reflect, and adapt, as well as creating spaces for shared learning and knowledge exchange.

Of course, the past year hasn't been without its challenges. The lingering effects of the pandemic and the shrinking space for civil society in India have tested us all. But these challenges have only underscored the importance of collaboration, solidarity, and sticking to our values. Through it all, the strength and resilience of our partners and the communities they serve have been a constant source of inspiration.

In FY 23-24, we gave ~INR 81 Crores in grants across all our portfolios. Our key portfolios are Access to Justice, Active Citizenship, Climate & Environment, Laayak (Gender), and Mental Health, alongside other areas of work. We've seen some really exciting progress and impact in each of these areas, from pushing criminal justice reforms to accelerating climate action, from promoting gender equality to expanding access to mental health services.

Beyond the grants, we've also tried to use our voice, influence, and convening power to change the narrative around critical issues and amplify the perspectives of the communities we serve. We commissioned research on vital topics like the state of fatherhood in India, improving the effectiveness of government schemes, and reform at the intersection of crime and justice. We also supported our partners in conducting their own research to inform their strategies and interventions.

Recognising the importance of strong, resilient organisations, we invested heavily in capacity building for our partners, offering support in areas like financial management, storytelling, technology, and fundraising.

From attending global forums like the World Economic Forum to launching campaigns like #HumLog (Active Citizenship portfolio), we've sought to illuminate the urgent challenges of our time and catalyse collective action.

As we look ahead, we're excited to build on the lessons and momentum of the past year. We're particularly pumped about two big gatherings in October 2024 - one focused on our mental health work with partners at NCBS and NIMHANS, and another bringing together folks working on Environment and Climate. These get-togethers will be incredible opportunities for learning, collaboration, and collective strategising.

We're also committed to keeping the conversation going within the philanthropic ecosystem. Building on the success of last year's mixers and gatherings for people working in philanthropy and grantmaking, we plan to keep fostering these connections and conversations in the year ahead.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the tireless efforts and commitment of our partners and our team. Your dedication, resilience, and belief in the possibility of change continue to inspire us every day. And to Rohini, thank you for your visionary leadership, your trust in the power of people and communities, and your relentless pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

As we embark on this next leg of our journey, I invite you to join us in the collective work of building a stronger samaaj. Let's keep learning from each other, pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and working towards a future where every individual can thrive and every community can flourish.

With gratitude, hope, and renewed commitment,

Gautam John (CEO, RNP)