By Aarti Krishnan
In the dynamic realm of social impact, non-profit organisations have played a pivotal role in creating positive change and transforming communities. Their tireless efforts often bring about transformative shifts that touch lives, uplift spirits, and lay the foundations for a better future for society at large. However, beneath the surface of these impactful programmes lies an unaddressed gap – a gap that, when bridged, has the potential to amplify the effectiveness, reach, and sustainability of non-profits across India.
The Unseen Challenge Beyond Programmes: Strengthening Institutional Capacity
In India, the focus of support and resources within the non-profit sector has predominantly centred around funding programmes and initiatives. While this approach has undoubtedly yielded remarkable outcomes and impacted countless lives, it has inadvertently left a crucial gap unaddressed: the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of non-profits themselves. The behind-the-scenes functions that ensure the smooth operations of these organisations often take a backseat, even though they form the bedrock upon which impactful programmes are built.
Compounding that, the global pandemic laid bare the truth that has long been overlooked: The urgent need to bolster the institutional capacity of grassroots non-profits. As the world grappled with unprecedented challenges, non-profit organisations faced a particularly harsh blow. A study conducted by Bridgespan in 2021 revealed that a staggering 70% of non-profits reported that their organisational development needs were largely unsupported.
Strengthening institutional capacity encompasses a wide array of strategic units’ development, including, but not limited to, financial management, human resource and change management, compliance, fundraising, communication and more. These units within an impact organisation are the gears that together drive the engine of social change, yet they often remain underdeveloped and under-resourced. The lack of attention to these essential capacities hinders non-profits from reaching their full potential, limiting their ability to raise their impact, operate efficiently, and sustain their initiatives over the long term.
The Need for a Paradigm Shift: Introducing India Partner Network
Having engaged closely with non-profits and recognising this pressing need for comprehensive capacity building, Sattva has launched an initiative: India Partner Network (IPN), a knowledge and engagement platform designed for non-profits to fortify their core competencies and navigate the complex landscape of institutional capacity.
India Partner Network marks a radical change in the way we support non-profits. It is an acknowledgement that for impactful change to take root and flourish, the very foundations of non-profit organisations need to be fortified. By providing a holistic range of learning and engagement opportunities, IPN aims to enhance nonprofit effectiveness, strengthen their operations, and improve their fundraising capabilities.
IPN’s Multi-Faceted Approach
At the heart of IPN’s mission lies a deep commitment to equipping non-profits with the knowledge, networks, and support required to thrive in a complex and ever-evolving landscape.
Through its knowledge hub, non-profits gain access to curated content that spans the entire spectrum of organisational functions, from finance, human resources and compliance to monitoring & evaluation, communication and fundraising.
The knowledge platform’s emphasis on events and webinars takes learning a step further. By providing insights from sectoral and functional experts, it ensures that non-profits stay ahead of the curve and remain agile and adaptable in a rapidly evolving environment.
One of the most impactful aspects of the platform is its focus on helping non-profits build visibility among peers, donors, and collaborators as they enhance their institutional readiness. These features provide non-profits with the opportunity to showcase their organisation profile while also connecting them with a vast network of CSR and philanthropic donors Sattva works with. This invaluable exposure opens doors to partnerships and collaborations that can supercharge non-profit initiatives and accelerate their journey towards meaningful change.
A Call to Action: Transforming Non-profits, Transforming Lives
The time has come for a paradigm shift in how we support non-profits in India. While programmes remain at the heart of social impact, the foundation they are built upon deserves equal attention. By addressing the capacity gap and nurturing the institutional functions that drive success, we can empower non-profits to achieve improved efficiency, create greater impact, and become more effective fundraisers.
The India Partner Network is a lot more than a digital platform. It is a movement towards lasting impact. It’s a call to action for non-profits, donors, stakeholders, volunteers, and supporters to come together and invest in the growth and sustainability of organisations dedicated to creating a brighter, better future. As India Partner Network continues to evolve and empower non-profits, it believes in creating a ripple effect through a collaborative hand-holding that paves the path to lasting change that is clearer, more accessible, and, ultimately, more achievable.
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Aarti Krishnan is the Business Head for India Partner Network (IPN) at Sattva Consulting, responsible for leading IPN. To explore our work at India Partner Network, click here.
Sattva has been working with various non-profits and social organisations as well as corporate clients to help them define their social impact goals. Our focus is to solve critical problems and find scalable solutions. We assist organisations in formulating their long-term social impact strategy by strategically aligning with business to provide meaningful solutions to social issues.
Write to us: impact@sattva.co.in OR info@indiapartnernetwork.org
