Social sector spending in India is gaining momentum. Domestic philanthropy grew 7% YOY to ₹1.31 lakh crore (FY24), while CSR investments reached ₹34,000 crore in FY23–24.* As funding becomes more strategic and systems-focused, how can nonprofits position themselves to truly leverage this shift?
In Episode 6 (Season 4) of Decoding Impact, Govind Iyer (Member on the Board of Trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation; Chairperson, SVP India; and Independent Director, Infosys & Karmayogi Bharat) drawing on his experience across philanthropy, NGOs, and leadership, shares grounded, actionable insights with Rathish Balakrishnan on what it takes to create long-term impact. Together, they unpack:
- Why leadership skills are essentials, not overheads, for non-profits
- How NGOs can build and sustain donor trust
- What growing CSR and domestic philanthropy mean for the sector
- What real systems change looks like—and where India’s most urgent challenges lie
Key topics covered:
1. Intro to the current social sector spending landscape
2. Lessons for non-profit leaders
3. How can we encourage Indians to give more? And how non-profits can build trust among (potential) donors
4. Rethinking what “return” looks like in impact
5. How to unlock giving at scale
6. How CSR strategies are evolving
7. The importance of CSR forums and platforms for collaborations
8. How philanthropy can leverage government social spending and systems change
9. How to strengthen non-profit delivery capabilities and why donors should care
*India Philanthropy Report 2025, Bain–Dasra; CSR’s Next Act, Sattva Consulting.
