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

Dear Friends,

The journey of philanthropy is ever-evolving, and as I reflect on our collective path, I'm struck by the untapped potential that lies before us. We stand at a pivotal moment, at a precarious time in human history. I truly believe that the convergence of wealth, innovation, and social consciousness can reshape the future that we fear into a future we can look forward to.

But are we truly harnessing this potential? Are we, as a community of philanthropists, pushing ourselves far enough?

I've been grappling with these questions, and I believe the answer lies in reimagining how we travel together. It's not just about occasional collaborations or sharing best practices. It's about fundamentally rethinking the ecosystem of giving.

Imagine a philanthropy landscape where boundaries blur, where resources flow freely towards impact rather than being constrained by individual mandates. Picture a network of givers, not just sharing funds but pooling knowledge, influence, and even failure stories to accelerate learning and innovation.

This vision requires us to shed our egos, to move beyond the comfort of our individual foundations and pet projects. It demands that we view our wealth not as personal capital but as a collective resource for societal transformation. After all, in modern societies, private wealth has to be believed to be and seen to be a force for public good.

I'm excited by the possibilities this approach could unlock. What if we created a shared platform for risk-taking, where multiple philanthropists could jointly fund bold, experimental initiatives? Or a collective brain trust, where we combine our networks and expertise to tackle complex, systemic issues?

The challenges we face—climate crisis, growing inequality, threats to civic issues—are too interconnected and urgent for siloed approaches. They demand a new paradigm of collaborative giving that matches the scale and complexity of these issues.

This shift won't be easy. It requires vulnerability, a willingness to cede control, and a fundamental reimagining of what "success" looks like in philanthropy. The rewards to come at a personal and public level, would counter these discomforts.

We have been experimenting with various forms of collaboration over the years and hope to continue on this journey with other philanthropists. When the societal mission becomes bigger than the individual ambition, everything is possible.

I hope Indian philanthropy will create a new model for the world, travelling together towards new horizons.

Warmly,

Rohini Nilekani (Chairperson, RNP)