Uniting for greater good

COLLABORATIVE PHILANTHROPY IS not a new idea. History has many examples of communities coming together for the common good.

- S RAMADORAI

The Bhoodan Movement of the 1950s is a great example. People donated millions of acres of land to benefit the landless. Growing up in India, many of us witnessed how village communities would unite to plant trees, add classrooms to the local school, or establish a community library.

This deeply ingrained tradition of collective action for social benefit holds valuable lessons for modern philanthropy.

Individual philanthropy in India has gained significant visibility in recent years. The growth of family businesses into professional organisations has led to the creation of large foundations and extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives. The Tata Trusts, established in 1892, along with foundations like the Azim Premji Foundation and the Shiv Nadar Foundation, are among many making substantial social impact across India.

But as India's economy grows and creates new wealth beyond the ultra-rich segment, a new generation of philanthropists is emerging. These successful professionals and entrepreneurs may not have billions to give individually, but they are eager to find meaningful ways to contribute to society. In my interactions with many such individuals, I have observed a growing interest in collaborative approaches to giving, a model where people pool their resources, expertise, and governance capabilities to create a more significant impact. This is where collaborative philanthropy holds immense promise.

The Society for the Rehabilitation of Crippled Children (SRCC) in Mumbai is a great example. It began in 1948 when Fathema Ismail, a social worker and one of independent India's earliest champions of children's healthcare, recognised the desperate need for paediatric care in the newly independent nation. Her three-year-old daughter's polio diagnosis was the catalyst - but her vision was universal. With support from volunteers and the government, she established SRCC on government-leased land in Mumbai.