Manjula Dharmalingam

India Philanthropy Forum 2026 | 26 February 2026 Big Bets, Bold Steps: Giving for India@2047 Building India’s future requires philanthropy to think far beyond short-term impact. Join leaders and funders as they explore how global uncertainty is reshaping capital flows and why long-term resilience depends on patient funding, stronger institutions, and trust in local leadership. This session will examine how multi-year flexible capital, venture-style risk, and partnerships that strengthen public systems can build durable capability for India’s next chapter. Sameer Shisodia, Reshma Anand, Karishma Shanghvi, Divya Puri Parekh Request an invite. https://lnkd.in/d39hnMnJ #DPW2026 #IndiaPhilanthropyForum #FutureOfPhilanthropy 

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🔓 Unrestricted Funds: Does CSR Enable or Limit Social Impact? Many NGOs don’t struggle due to lack of intent—they struggle because funding is too rigid hence impact is dialuted. Project-based grants dominate CSR, while unrestricted (core) funding—essential for strong institutions—is often misunderstood. 👉 Watch & reflect: https://lnkd.in/g9VYG4_q Core funding enables NGOs to invest in #people, #governance, #compliance, #systems, and #leadership, leading to better #outcomes, faster scaling, and deeper #impact for #CSR partners. Evidence shows #NGOs with flexible funding #innovate more, serve more #beneficiaries, and deliver #sustainable results. If we truly believe in #ViksitBharat, capacity building must be seen not as a cost, but an #investment in impact. #UnrestrictedFunds #CSRLeadership #NGOCapacityBuilding #CoreFunding #SocialImpact #ViksitBharat

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A mixed experience representing the voices of women with disabilities and bringing a gender perspective at the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Delhi. While panelists mentioned “disabilities,” the multiple and layered digital barriers faced by women with disabilities were not sufficiently highlighted. True inclusion in AI must go beyond token representation and address intersectional realities. It was, however, encouraging to witness the official launch of the India AI RAM Report by UNESCO India and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. The discussions opened important pathways for ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI in India. Going forward, it is critical that AI policies and innovation ecosystems centre accessibility, gender equity, and the lived experiences of women with disabilities—so that no one is left behind in the digital future. #ResponsibleAI #UNESCO #MeitY #IndiaAIImpact United Nations ESCAP UNDP in India UNDP in Asia and the Pacific UN Women Asia and the Pacific United Nations Samarthyam Centre for Universal Accessibility Asia-Pacific Network for Accessibility (APNA) Srinivas Tata Cai Cai 蔡縩 Tingting Chen Manmeet Nanda HUMA MASOOD Kanta Singh

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India Philanthropy Forum 2026 | 26 February 2026 Pathfinders in Praxis: Role of Institutional Philanthropy in Uncertain Times As uncertainty reshapes the global landscape, institutional funders are re-examining how capital can create deeper, more durable impact. Join sector leaders as they reflect on what has endured, where systemic gaps remain, and how philanthropic capital can generate stronger multiplier effects through core support, co-funding, institutional capacity, and accountability to communities. Ashwin Iyer, Martin Tan, yamini mishra, Parnasha Banerjee Request an Invite: https://luma.com/usedxdjm #DPW2026 #IndiaPhilanthropyForum #Philanthropy #SocialImpact 

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Philanthropy in India is evolving from individual intent to shared purpose. In the season premiere of Unusual Suspects, Geetika Dadlani, Associate Director at Dasra and Head of GivingPi, explores a pivotal shift: the rise of philanthropy networks that are moving funders from funding outputs to enabling systemic outcomes. She reflects on how networks are creating space for families to step back, reflect on their intent, and embrace giving that is bold, strategic, and deeply human. As Indian philanthropy becomes more ambitious, collaborative, and future-focused, what role will trust, alignment, and community play in shaping its next chapter? To find out, listen to the conversation here - https://lnkd.in/dGpkBQF9 moneycontrol .com, Earshot Media, Gaurav Choudhury #UnusualSuspects #FamilyPhilanthropy #GivingWithPurpose #GivingPi #StrategicPhilanthropy #IndiaPhilanthropy #PhilanthropyNetworks #FutureOfGiving #Dasra #ImpactMatters #SocialChange

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Honored to Speak at Social Impact Circle on World NGO Day On 27th February 2026, I had the privilege to speak at Social Impact Circle hosted by Veena Gusain Memorial Foundation. The focus was clear. Sustainability. Local empowerment. Resilience. As Founder of Karyashala Foundation, I shared our grassroots work in skill development and women’s financial independence. When a woman earns, she gains dignity. When she gains dignity, the entire family rises. Key takeaways from the session: • Real change starts at the community level • Sustainable models need consistent effort • Collaboration multiplies impact • Women leaders drive long term transformation Grateful to the organizers and fellow women founders for powerful insights and honest conversations. We do not wait for change. We build it. #WorldNGODay #SocialImpactCircle #WomenLeadership #SustainabilityMatters #KaryashalaFoundation

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Across #India, more older adults are signaling that they want to stay active, purposeful, and economically engaged. Yet systems and norms haven’t caught up. This Mumbai Mirror story brings this shift into focus and echoes insights from Dalberg's report with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Ashoka. Embracing India’s longevity dividend requires enabling age-friendly work, reducing bias, and investing in health and financial security. Read the feature here: https://lnkd.in/dRSkHVgq Download the Longevity report here: https://lnkd.in/dk7SbZTK Swetha Totapally Vismit Bansal Ashoka - New Longevity Maria Clara Pinheiro Ivy Akii #India #longevity #aging #Impact #caregiving #Innovation #philanthropy #healthyliving #systemschange #newlongevity #lifelonglearning #lifelongchangemaking #lifelongwellbeing #socialconnection

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This conversation feels especially timely for India. In our recent interview with BW Businessworld, together with AVPN Chair Achal Agarwal, I shared a conviction I hold strongly: social organisations must be financially sustainable if they are to shape markets at scale. When business sustainability is missing, impact is too easily relegated to the margins and treated as philanthropy rather than as a core driver of economic growth. India stands at a powerful inflection point. With a young workforce, expanding digital public infrastructure and growing pools of catalytic and commercial capital, we have the ingredients to build enterprises that are both purpose-driven and performance-led. The question is not whether impact belongs in the mainstream economy. It is whether we are ready to design systems that enable it to thrive there. That means strengthening the full ecosystem: patient and blended capital, enabling policy, accountability standards, and platforms that connect founders to markets and long-term partners. I am optimistic about India’s future. Not because the hurdles are small, but because the ambition and capability across our impact community are growing rapidly. India has the potential to demonstrate how inclusive growth can be investment-ready, scalable and globally relevant. That is also why it feels timely for the AVPN Global Conference 2026 to be held in #India. The conversations we need about sustainable impact, capital alignment and system building are already unfolding here. Bringing the global community together in India this year is not symbolic. It reflects where the momentum is, and where the future of impact is being actively shaped. Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gWxyh-JH #AVPN2026 #socialimpact #socialinvestment #philanthropy

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India’s philanthropy problem may not be money—but mindset. In India, the philanthropy sector is brimming with potential, yet it has been held back by a legacy of fragmented giving and performative CSR. As global models shift toward impact-first funding and strategic corporate participation, why is India still playing catch-up? This isn’t just a question of capital—it’s about cultural inertia, trust deficits, and the psychology of giving. If we want philanthropy to move the needle on systemic change, we need a mindset makeover. What would it take for India Inc. to lead with purpose, and not just optics? Read the full piece by Gauri Vij on The Established and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/dZJWvEXf

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Shades of Grey Philanthropy “Shades of Grey Philanthropy” is a compelling phrase that suggests complexity and nuance in the world of charitable giving. It challenges the simplistic notion that philanthropy exists in moral extremes — purely altruistic or entirely self-serving. In reality, much of the philanthropic landscape lies in the grey: a space filled with ethical tensions, conflicting motives, and hard questions about power and purpose. At the heart of this grey zone is moral ambiguity — the idea that social good can be funded by wealth generated through questionable means. From tech tycoons facing antitrust scrutiny to fossil fuel fortunes underwriting environmental causes, the contradictions are hard to ignore. Can philanthropy truly be a force for justice when its financial roots may lie in exploitation or inequality? Many donors today are also motivated by legacy-building or reputation-laundering, blurring the line between generosity and image management. Naming rights, social capital, and narrative control often accompany large gifts. While the outcomes may still be positive, the intent is not always purely altruistic — nor should it be assumed to be. Perhaps the most complex shade of grey arises when philanthropy influences public policy or shapes the direction of scientific research. Private capital has the power to fill gaps left by governments, but it also raises questions: Who decides what’s worth funding? What happens when donor agendas misalign with community needs or democratic processes? Shades of grey philanthropy isn’t a condemnation of giving. Rather, it is an invitation to interrogate it more honestly. As donors, nonprofits, and society at large grapple with urgent challenges, we must be willing to examine not just the outcomes of philanthropy — but also its origins, intentions, and the systems it sustains or disrupts. In this nuanced space, asking better questions may be more important than offering easy answers. #shadesofgrey #philanthropyccc #philanthropiccounselllc

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Can India Lead the Next Wave? The social sector is shifting from funding activities → to funding results. Two powerful models driving this change are: 🔹 Development Impact Bonds (DIBs) Outcome payer: Donors/Foundations Example: Educate Girls DIB in Rajasthan (UBS Optimus Foundation + CIFF) tied funding to enrollment & learning outcomes for girls. Best suited for: education, health, skilling, women empowerment in India. 🔹 Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) Outcome payer: Government Example: Peterborough Prison SIB in the UK reduced reoffending rates, government paid back only when outcomes were achieved. Best suited for: Skill India, Ayushman Bharat, Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat where policy alignment is critical. ✅ How they work (both models): Investors put in upfront capital. NGOs/service providers deliver programs. Independent evaluators verify outcomes. Outcome funders (donor or govt.) repay investors only if results are achieved. 🚀 India’s Opportunity DIBs can expand quickly with philanthropy & CSR backing (less red tape). SIBs need stronger government adoption but could transform flagship schemes by making them truly pay-for-success. 📌 The big shift: From charity to accountability, from inputs to outcomes, from projects to systems change. 👉 Question for you: Which model—DIBs or SIBs—do you think has greater potential to transform India’s social sector? #SocialImpact #ImpactInvesting #Innovation #ESG #India

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📊 Important Reports Every Nonprofit Must Have to Attract Donor Funding One common misconception I see across NGOs globally is this: “If our work is good, funding will come.” In reality, donors fund clarity, credibility, and consistency — not just intent. Whether you’re approaching corporates, foundations, embassies, or international agencies, these are the core reports donors expect before serious funding conversations begin 👇 1️⃣ Impact Report This is non-negotiable. Donors want to see: • What problem you addressed • What changed because of your work • Quantifiable outcomes (people reached, lives improved, systems strengthened) 👉 No impact narrative = no confidence. 2️⃣ Audited Financial Statements Shows financial discipline and transparency. • Independent audit • Clear income & expenditure • Proper fund utilisation 👉 Donors fund organisations they can trust with money. 3️⃣ Annual Report This is your institutional story. • Mission, programs, governance • Highlights of the year • Future vision 👉 Think of this as your NGO’s annual credibility document. 4️⃣ Project Reports (Past & Ongoing) Donors don’t fund ideas alone — they fund execution capability. • Project objectives • Budget vs actuals • Learnings and outcomes 👉 Past performance is the strongest predictor of future funding. 5️⃣ Compliance & Legal Documents Depending on geography: • Registration certificates • National filings • FCRA / international permissions (if applicable) 👉 Non-compliance is a silent deal-breaker. 6️⃣ Budget & Funding Utilisation Plan Every donor asks: • How much do you need? • For what? • For how long? • What happens after the grant ends? 👉 Clear budgets signal maturity. ⸻ 🚫 What Most NGOs Do Instead • Look only for referrals • Chase donor contacts • Skip documentation • Rush proposals without readiness This may work once or twice. It does not build sustainable funding. ⸻ ✅ The Reality Funding is not a shortcut game. It’s a process. Organizations that invest time (3–6 months) in: • Documentation • Reporting • Clarity • Governance …are the ones that attract repeat donors and larger grants. ⸻ If you’re serious about building a donor-ready nonprofit, start with your reports. They speak for you — even when you’re not in the room. Strong impact + strong documentation = sustainable funding. — FOPE Foundation Supporting NGOs to become donor-ready, globally 🌍 #NonprofitOrganization #Documents #NFO #NGO

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📣 Socialbytes Exchange Webinar How to Communicate Better with Different Types of Donors Emerging global shifts are reshaping the funding landscape, making it critical for Indian non-profits to strengthen and grow the share of individual donors in their overall fundraising mix. And yet, engaging individuals requires a very different approach than working with corporates or institutional grantmakers. A first-time donor needs a different message than someone who has stood by your organization for five years. However, many organizations continue to send the same communication to everyone, missing valuable opportunities to build deeper, long-term relationships. In this session led by Chavi P., an Email Strategist and AI Consultant, we will explore how to use the data you already have to create more meaningful donor journeys, without increasing your team’s workload. Learn how to: - Segment and personalize communication effectively - Strengthen donor trust and loyalty - Improve retention and lifetime value - Communicate smarter, not more Better relationships. Stronger engagement. Smarter communication. Relevant for organizations of all sizes. 📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026 | ⏰ 12 - 1 PM IST | 📍 Zoom 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d6HPZVvC

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Strengthening India’s workforce for 2030 will take more than programmes, it will take rethinking systems and acting together as a sector. India’s future of work is being shaped right now — at the intersection of climate transitions, gender equity, and local innovation. Haqdarshak is excited to join the Arthan Annual Conference 2025 to explore how capital, communities, and institutions can work together to build resilient and equitable livelihoods. ,Register here: https://lnkd.in/gk9Z-sUX #ArthanConference2025 #LeadershipInAction #FutureOfWork #ClimateAction #GenderEquity

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Over the years of building AssisTech Foundation and working closely with the innovation ecosystem, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many entrepreneurs with disabilities. What stands out every single time is their lived experience—deep, authentic, and powerful. Their ideas don’t come from problem statements on paper; they come from real life. I’ve been constantly inspired by their passion and their aspiration to build solutions that can transform the lives of millions of people with disabilities. For a long time, I carried a dream of creating a program that truly backs these founders—from idea to scale—with the right mix of trust, capital, mentorship, and ecosystem access. The imaginATe Fellowship Program is that dream coming to life. Launched by AssisTech Foundation (ATF) in partnership with Bajaj Finserv CSR, imaginATe is designed specifically for entrepreneurs with disabilities. It is a 9-month immersive, paid fellowship, followed by 6 months of post-fellowship support, focused on helping founders build, refine, and scale impactful ventures. I’m glad to share that the application deadline has been extended to 17 December 2025. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dsXS8y6j This is just the beginning—and I’m excited to see what this next generation of founders will build.

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Our partnerships are built on listening, collaboration, and long-term value creation. From 2017–2020, our engagement with The Leprosy Mission Trust India focused on design-led strategy and impact assessment—helping strengthen organisational direction, scale key initiatives, and use research and documentation to inform policy and practice. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and for the opportunity to work alongside leaders committed to gender equity, health, disability inclusion, education, and rural livelihoods. #NiitiAt15 #ClientPartnerships #DesignLedStrategy #ImpactAssessment #SocialImpact #PurposeDrivenWork

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We are inspired by funding models that move beyond rigid, transactional philanthropy, and the Rebuild India Fund is one of the most thoughtful, bold, and replicable examples we have come across. Launched during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the fund has grown into a platform that champions proximate leadership, supports over 100 grassroots NGOs across India, and offers: ✨ Multi-year, flexible grants. 🧭 Network-led & peer-driven partner selection (no open calls). 📈 Thoughtful, low-burden reporting focused on learning. 🤝 A commitment to institutional support and leadership sustainability. 🌱 A vision for organizational, programmatic, and financial resilience. Most of the organizations they fund are small, community-rooted, and largely invisible to mainstream philanthropy but deeply trusted locally. This fund proves what’s possible when we rethink who gets to lead and fund accordingly. We are honored to share this new case study, developed in close collaboration with the Rebuild India Fund team, offering insight into their values, practices, and lessons for the field. 📣Let’s spread these ideas, more funders need to see what’s possible! #BetterFunding #RebuildIndiaFund #EquitableFunding #EquityPhilanthropy #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #ResourcingJustice #ProximateLeadership #CollectiveResilience #GrassrootsPower #PhilanthropyRedesign #India #FundingWithCare

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