From charity to change: Reimagining philanthropy for a Viksit Bharat

India is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation in how it gives. For decades, philanthropy here was synonymous with charity, a donation, a scholarship, a compliance-driven CSR grant. These acts, while important, often addressed symptoms rather than root causes. They offered relief, not redesign. But that is changing. A new generation of Indian philanthropists and changemakers is asking deeper questions: What does it take to solve problems at scale? What will outlast us?

This marks a pivotal evolution, from one-time charitable actions to structured, systemic philanthropy. It reflects a more mature philanthropic culture that recognises India’s biggest challenges cannot be solved merely by writing cheques. They demand vision, patient capital, and, above all, institution building. As we look toward India@100 in 2047, our true measure of progress will not be GDP figures or unicorn counts; it will be whether we built institutions strong enough to sustain change.

By 2047, India will be the world’s most populous nation, with over 1.6 billion people and a median age under 30. Economically, we’re poised to be the third-largest global economy. Yet these figures mask persistent realities: unsafe air and water, inadequate healthcare, gender inequity, climate vulnerability, and digital divides. These are not isolated problems. They are interconnected structural challenges threatening our social fabric. They cannot be solved through small projects or pilots. They demand mission-driven institutions that bring together capital, innovation, and leadership.

Globally, philanthropy has shaped societies in lasting ways. The Rockefeller Foundation played a foundational role in shaping modern public health infrastructure globally. The Carnegie Corporation transformed education and libraries. The Wellcome Trust has advanced biomedical research. These were institutions built to endure, and not vanity initiatives. In India, we’re beginning to see similar ambition. The Azim Premji Foundation is investing in public education and local governance. Nilekani Philanthropies has significantly contributed to advancing India’s digital infrastructure, supporting innovations like Aadhaar and the India Stack framework. Social Alpha and ACT Grants blend venture tools with philanthropic intent.

Yet we need a hundred more such institutions across climate, health, digital inclusion, and gender equity. Picture a data-driven research hub capable of forecasting public health threats before they escalate. A climate-tech lab scaling clean energy solutions. A national water innovation mission, or an inclusion lab, ensuring equity in employment. These are not pipe dreams but institutional white spaces waiting to be filled. Philanthropy must be the catalyst that brings them to life.

Our policy environment, however, hasn’t fully kept pace. Tax incentives under Section 80G remain underused due to complex processes and low awareness. Individual giving stays modest despite rising wealth. CSR, though mandatory, still prioritises short-term projects over building lasting institutions. Less than 2% of CSR funds go into institution building. Too often, the system rewards visibility over vision.

To unlock systemic giving, India needs five crucial shifts:

• Expand Schedule VII of the CSR Act: Recognise ecosystem-building, research, and innovation hubs as eligible CSR categories.
• Create tax incentives for endowments: Endowment giving should be tax-exempt and encouraged, during one’s lifetime and through wills, as seen globally. Endowments should also be free to invest beyond fixed deposits, ensuring sustainability.
• Simplify individual giving via 80G: Digital systems like DARPAN can make giving seamless and transparent.
• Promote pooled philanthropic platforms: Shared funding for public goods like health labs or digital infrastructure can multiply impact.
• Enable matching grants from government: Collaborative funding models where government contributions complement philanthropic investments can help mitigate risk and fast-track the development of enduring institutions.

Building successful institutions requires trust in the people leading change. That means backing visionary leaders, especially first-generation founders and changemakers from underrepresented communities. Diversity isn’t a checkbox. It’s a foundation for resilience and relevance. Equally vital is governance that ensures autonomy with accountability, not bureaucracy or micromanagement.

India is at an inflexion point. With over 140 billionaires and a growing number of family offices and entrepreneurs eager to give back, we have the financial strength to seed a new generation of purpose-driven institutions. If just 10% of India’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals committed Rs 100 crore each over the next decade, we could unlock Rs 14,000 crore of patient capital—enough to build 100 institutions that redefine education, health, sustainability, and opportunity.

This is no longer about charity. It’s about responsible citizenship. It’s about building a lasting legacy.

As India approaches its 100th year of independence, our true legacy will not be defined solely by economic success. It will be judged by whether we met our greatest challenges with courage and collective will, whether we built institutions that endure, and whether we turned privilege into purpose. This future cannot rest on the government alone. It cannot be outsourced to corporations. And it’s too urgent to be left to a few individuals. 

This is our moment for shared ownership as builders who help design the future. Because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it is what we build together for generations to come.

(Sarika Bhattacharya is the Vice President at Plaksha University and Convenor for DS Brar Centre for Women in STEM (GWiST) at Plaksha University, Mohali.)