India Philanthropy Forum – Boston | Agenda 

08:15 - 09:00 am

Breakfast & Registration

9:00 AM to 9:10 AM

Opening Remarks

MR Rangaswami, Neera Nundy

9:10 AM to 9:30 AM

Key note

TBC

9:30 AM to 10:20 AM

Plenary Session 1

India@2047: How Can Philanthropy Build an India of our Dreams?

Ramesh Srinivasan (Funder), Nalini Saligram (NGO), Megha Desai (Funder)

As India nears its 100th year of independence, the key question is: How can philanthropy be bold enough to tackle root causes and create lasting change? This session invites stakeholders to rethink philanthropy’s role—one that is ambitious, willing to take risks, and committed to realizing the bold vision of India@2047. By embracing innovative approaches, supporting underserved areas, empowering next-gen philanthropy, and bridging critical funding gaps, this conversation will explore how philanthropy can reimagine its role, push boundaries, and do whatever it takes to address problems at their core—paving the way for the India we dream of.
10:20 AM to 11:00 AM

Tea and Networking

11:00 AM to 11:50 AM

Plenary Session 2

What Will It Take to Accelerate Gender Equity in India?

Mary Ellen Iskenderian (Funder)

Despite growing awareness, gender-focused philanthropy in India has yet to build the momentum needed for real change. This session will examine the entrenched barriers and enablers that shape progress on gender equity. What practical, yet bold strategies are required—not just to accelerate change, but to build a sustained movement that channels more and better resources towards gender equity interventions in India? By uncovering untapped opportunities and understanding the aspirations of those on the ground, this conversation will challenge stakeholders to move beyond surface-level efforts and invest in solutions that drive lasting, systemic impact.
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 1

How Can Philanthropy Harness Data & Technology for Greater Impact?

Mary Ellen Iskenderian (Funder)

As technology and data reshape every sector, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to leverage these tools for greater impact. This session will explore how data-driven insights and tech-enabled platforms can help funders make smarter, more targeted decisions. Through real-world examples and case studies, it will discuss the critical need to strengthen India’s data ecosystem—an area that requires greater philanthropic investment to ensure accurate, actionable insights. Without funding to build this infrastructure, the potential of data to drive change in India will remain untapped.
11:50 AM to 12:40 PM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 2

How Philanthropy Can Lead the Charge in Shaping a Climate-Resilient India?

As climate change accelerates, the need for bold philanthropic action is more urgent than ever. This session will explore how philanthropy can play a pivotal role in driving climate resilience and sustainability in India. What strategies are needed to fund climate innovations, support vulnerable communities, and influence policy for long-term systems change? By examining the intersection of climate action with other sectors, this conversation will offer practical insights on how funders can strengthen community resilience and integrate a climate lens into their giving.
11:50 AM to 12:40 PM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 3

How Can the Indian Diaspora Drive Local Giving in the U.S.?

Ina Breur (Sector Expert)

This session will explore how members of the diaspora can advance their giving journeys and deepen their engagement with local communities. What are the tools, networks, and partnerships that can help unlock this community’s full philanthropic potential? By addressing key strategies and support systems, this conversation will provide actionable insights into how the diaspora can drive meaningful, long-term change in the communities they call home
12:40 PM to 2:00 PM

Lunch Break

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Plenary Session 3

How Can Collaboration Catalyze Systemic Change in India?

In a country as vast and complex as India, collaboration is essential for achieving largescale, systemic change. This session will explore how diverse stakeholders—from funders and NGOs to businesses and government—can move beyond isolated efforts to form partnerships that drive transformative impact. The discussion will spotlight strategies, lessons, and challenges in building effective collaborations. Drawing on successful real-world examples, this session will provide insights into how cross-sector partnerships can maximize resources and shape a more inclusive future for India.
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

Break

3:20 PM to 4:10 PM

Plenary Session 4

How Can India Become the Next Global Hub for Social Innovation?

Amita Gupta (Funder), Amit Bhandari (Funder), Milind Tambe (Sector Expert)

How Can India Become the Next Global Hub for Social Innovation? As India emerges as a key player in global development, the real challenge lies in making strategic investments and adopting innovative approaches to cement its role as a global hub for social innovation. This session will explore what it will take to realize this vision—focusing on new philanthropic models, investments in emerging areas and geographies, innovative funding vehicles, and breakthrough social enterprises. Drawing on real-world examples and lived experiences, the conversation will highlight the transformative potential of bold thinking and novel solutions to drive sustainable social change in India.
4:10 PM to 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Sanjeev Joshipura, Jyotirmoy Chatterji

4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Networking

08:15 - 09:00 AM

Breakfast & Registration

9:00 AM to 9:10 AM

Opening Remarks

MR Rangaswami, Neera Nundy

9:10 AM to 9:30 AM

Key note

TBC

9:30 AM to 10:20 AM

Plenary Session 1

India@2047: How Can Philanthropy Build an India of our Dreams?

Ramesh Srinivasan (Funder), Nalini Saligram (NGO), Megha Desai (Funder)

As India nears its 100th year of independence, the key question is: How can philanthropy be bold enough to tackle root causes and create lasting change? This session invites stakeholders to rethink philanthropy’s role—one that is ambitious, willing to take risks, and committed to realizing the bold vision of India@2047. By embracing innovative approaches, supporting underserved areas, empowering next-gen philanthropy, and bridging critical funding gaps, this conversation will explore how philanthropy can reimagine its role, push boundaries, and do whatever it takes to address problems at their core—paving the way for the India we dream of.
10:20 AM to 11:00 AM

Tea and Networking

11:00 AM to 11:50 AM

Plenary Session 2

What Will It Take to Accelerate Gender Equity in India?

Mary Ellen Iskenderian (Funder)

Despite growing awareness, gender-focused philanthropy in India has yet to build the momentum needed for real change. This session will examine the entrenched barriers and enablers that shape progress on gender equity. What practical, yet bold strategies are required—not just to accelerate change, but to build a sustained movement that channels more and better resources towards gender equity interventions in India? By uncovering untapped opportunities and understanding the aspirations of those on the ground, this conversation will challenge stakeholders to move beyond surface-level efforts and invest in solutions that drive lasting, systemic impact.
11:00 AM to 11:50 AM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 1

How Can Philanthropy Harness Data & Technology for Greater Impact?

Mary Ellen Iskenderian (Funder)

As technology and data reshape every sector, philanthropy has a unique opportunity to leverage these tools for greater impact. This session will explore how data-driven insights and tech-enabled platforms can help funders make smarter, more targeted decisions. Through real-world examples and case studies, it will discuss the critical need to strengthen India’s data ecosystem—an area that requires greater philanthropic investment to ensure accurate, actionable insights. Without funding to build this infrastructure, the potential of data to drive change in India will remain untapped.
11:50 AM to 12:40 PM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 2

How Philanthropy Can Lead the Charge in Shaping a Climate-Resilient India?

As climate change accelerates, the need for bold philanthropic action is more urgent than ever. This session will explore how philanthropy can play a pivotal role in driving climate resilience and sustainability in India. What strategies are needed to fund climate innovations, support vulnerable communities, and influence policy for long-term systems change? By examining the intersection of climate action with other sectors, this conversation will offer practical insights on how funders can strengthen community resilience and integrate a climate lens into their giving.
11:50 AM to 12:40 PM

Thematic Deep Dive: Session 3

How Can the Indian Diaspora Drive Local Giving in the U.S.?

Ina Breur (Sector Expert)

This session will explore how members of the diaspora can advance their giving journeys and deepen their engagement with local communities. What are the tools, networks, and partnerships that can help unlock this community’s full philanthropic potential? By addressing key strategies and support systems, this conversation will provide actionable insights into how the diaspora can drive meaningful, long-term change in the communities they call home
12:40 PM to 2:00 PM

Lunch Break

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Plenary Session 3

How Can Collaboration Catalyze Systemic Change in India?

In a country as vast and complex as India, collaboration is essential for achieving largescale, systemic change. This session will explore how diverse stakeholders—from funders and NGOs to businesses and government—can move beyond isolated efforts to form partnerships that drive transformative impact. The discussion will spotlight strategies, lessons, and challenges in building effective collaborations. Drawing on successful real-world examples, this session will provide insights into how cross-sector partnerships can maximize resources and shape a more inclusive future for India.
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM

Break

3:20 PM to 4:10 PM

Plenary Session 4

How Can India Become the Next Global Hub for Social Innovation?

Amita Gupta (Funder), Amit Bhandari (Funder), Milind Tambe (Sector Expert)

How Can India Become the Next Global Hub for Social Innovation? As India emerges as a key player in global development, the real challenge lies in making strategic investments and adopting innovative approaches to cement its role as a global hub for social innovation. This session will explore what it will take to realize this vision—focusing on new philanthropic models, investments in emerging areas and geographies, innovative funding vehicles, and breakthrough social enterprises. Drawing on real-world examples and lived experiences, the conversation will highlight the transformative potential of bold thinking and novel solutions to drive sustainable social change in India.
4:10 PM to 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Sanjeev Joshipura, Jyotirmoy Chatterji

4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Networking