Uniting for greater good

Collaborative philanthropy, a model where people pool resources, expertise, and governance to create a greater impact, is not a new idea, and holds valuable lessons for modern philanthropy.

- S RAMADORAI

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