Research Topic: From Margins to Centre: The Role of Community Philanthropy in Addressing Discrimination and Exclusion Faced by Cross-Regional Women in Mahendragarh District, Haryana
Ankit’s research paper focused on the situation of cross-regional women in Narnaul block, Mahendragarh district, examining their capability deprivations and the emergence of a community-driven intervention. This year-long study gathered socio-economic and demographic data from 497 cross-regional women across 52 villages. The research aimed to profile cross-regional families, analyse women’s experiences of discrimination and exclusion, evaluate the implementation of local projects, and identify elements of community philanthropy within the women’s intervention model.
Ankit is a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Wroclaw, Poland, holding a double Master's degree in Development and Social Work from Azim Premji University and MP Bhoj Open University. With four years of experience in social development, his academic focus centres on community philanthropy and women’s rights, particularly in rural India. Ankit’s work contributes significantly to the discourse on community philanthropy by highlighting the agency of marginalised groups in initiating and shaping interventions. His research underscores the importance of combining data collection with timely, community-driven solutions to address complex social challenges.
Research Topic: Navigating Philanthropic Horizons: Mapping and Documenting the Transformations and Dynamics of Stakeholder Relationships in Education in Jharkhand
Anurag’s research paper examines the evolving role of philanthropic organisations in shaping educational policymaking, specifically in the context of Jharkhand. Through critical discourse analysis, he investigates the increasing involvement of non-state actors, particularly philanthropic entities, in the education policy process. His study explores their contributions at various stages of policymaking—agenda-setting, program design, and evaluation. The findings highlight how philanthropic organisations are reshaping traditional governance frameworks, fostering deeper integration into the policymaking process.
Anurag is a public policy researcher with a decade of experience and holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). His research primarily focuses on documenting philanthropic interests in education in India, having collaborated with prominent organisations such as Brhat, Pratham, and the Azim Premji Foundation.
Research Topic: Local Empowerment Through Philanthropy: How Trusts Foster Community Engagement and Ownership
Pankaj’s research explored the role of a trust organisation, primarily funded by individual donors and family philanthropy, in embodying the principles of community philanthropy through its governance, decision-making, and community engagement. Focused on the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the study investigated how this trust protects community members from catastrophic health expenditures by offering a broad range of healthcare services. The research also examined the factors influencing community members’ health-seeking behaviour and the trust’s success in serving marginalised populations.
He is a dedicated public health researcher with over four years of experience working across Indian states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
Pankaj holds a Master of Social Work degree specialising in Rural Development from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and completed his MPhil dissertation on the BioSocial Determinants of Nutritional Anaemia.
Research Topic: Challenges and Dynamics in Community Philanthropy at the Grassroots: A Study of Organisations Led by Development Leaders from Marginalised Communities
Raju’s research addresses the persistent challenges of ensuring fair and inclusive development in India’s deeply stratified social fabric, marked by caste and class inequalities. Grounded in the Human Development approach, his study explores how systemic barriers affect access to resources, leadership opportunities, and philanthropic support for marginalised communities. It critically examines the role of NGOs and philanthropic efforts, including the institutionalisation of corporate social responsibility (CSR), in either bridging or reinforcing these divides.
The research highlights significant hurdles faced by NGO founders from marginalised backgrounds, such as financial constraints, limited access to mentorship and networks, and funding biases that often favour founders from privileged backgrounds. Despite widespread endorsement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, caste representation in leadership and staffing remains limited in many organisations. Raju’s findings call for systemic reforms, including broadening CSR focus to livelihood creation, embedding caste sensitisation in organisational hiring practices, and incentivising small businesses to adopt inclusive DEI policies. His work offers actionable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropic bodies aiming to dismantle systemic biases and foster equitable development.
Raju is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Eklavya India Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting higher education and leadership among first-generation learners. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. He recently completed an MSc in Development Studies at SOAS, University of London, as a Chevening Scholar, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Research Topic: Developing a Corporate Social Justice Disclosure Index (CSJDI)
Dr. B. Charumathi’s research paper focused on the development of a Corporate Social Justice Disclosure Index (CSJDI), which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate reporting on social justice issues. Her study assessed the extent of social justice disclosures in the annual reports of BSE 100 companies over seven years and explored the impact of these disclosures on corporate performance indicators. The findings reveal significant industry and company-wise differences, demonstrating how factors such as revenue, gender diversity on boards, and ESG disclosure scores positively influence social justice disclosures.
Dr. Charumathi is a distinguished researcher in corporate financial reporting and the development of social justice frameworks within corporate disclosures. She currently serves as a Professor and Head of the Department of Management Studies at Pondicherry University, a central university under the Government of India. Additionally, she is a board member of the Pondicherry University Start-up Hub (PUSH), a Section 8 Company.
With nearly three decades of teaching and research experience, Dr. Charumathi has authored three books and published over 140 research papers. As the Indian Principal Investigator of the SPARC international project, she collaborates with leading Australian universities on sustainability and social justice in corporate governance. Dr. Charumathi is also a visiting professor at Deakin University and the University of Canberra and has received several prestigious awards, including the UGC JRF, AICTE Career Award, ICA’s Young Commercist Award, and the IAA Young Researcher Award.
Research Topic: Indian Philanthropy for Social Justice: Enablers and Demotivators in Supporting Justice and Rights Work by Non-Profits
Doel’s research examined the factors influencing private foundations' funding decisions in India, particularly for justice and rights-based non-profits. The study, drawing insights from respondents across private foundations, non-profits, and philanthropy support organisations, identifies key enablers and barriers to funding for social justice initiatives. It explores four primary dimensions—organisational identity, external environment, grantmaking processes, and project praxis—and offers a roadmap for overcoming resource challenges in the development sector.
Doel is the Manager of Communications and Partnerships at Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA), a rights-based non-profit. Over the past five years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping YUVA's communications strategies, strengthening its identity, impact, and influence.
With over a decade of experience across both the corporate and non-profit sectors, Doel has worked with a diverse range of stakeholders, including publishing houses, agencies, and non-profit organisations. She is also deeply interested in the dynamics of the philanthropy ecosystem and fostering meaningful partnerships to address complex social justice issues.
Research Topic: Role of NGOs in Tribal Development: Evidence from Palghar District
Dr. Ritu’s research paper explored the significant role of NGOs in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the tribal community in Palghar, Maharashtra. Using a multi-case study approach, Dr. Sinha examines NGOs in the education and livelihood sectors and their collaboration with the state government to foster systemic change. Through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and data mining, her study identifies the key determinants that shape the effectiveness of grassroots NGOs, including reach, accountability, transparency, management effectiveness, and program efficacy.
Dr. Ritu is a Fellow in Management from NITIE, Mumbai, with an Advanced Diploma in Apparel Merchandising and Retail Management from the National Institute of Retail Management, Bangalore. She has over two decades of experience spanning industry, academia, and research.
Her professional journey includes significant roles with organisations such as GlaxoSmithKline, IMS Learning Resources, and ICFAI Business School. Dr. Sinha has published over forty papers and eight case studies, contributed to two edited books, and received five research grants for her work.
Research Topic: Becoming educated: Community philanthropy and education among Mappila Muslims in Kerala
Yoosuf’s research paper focused on exploring how genuine philanthropy can shape educational opportunities for marginalised communities in India, particularly within the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. His study highlights the unique role of community philanthropy in education within the Mappila Muslim community of Kerala. By examining two key community-based educational institutions—Social Advancement Foundation of India (SAFI) and Farook College—Yoosuf employs a case study method to explore the experiences and motivations of various stakeholders, including learners, teachers, and management.
The study uncovers a range of philanthropic practices, such as scholarships, exam preparation, skill development, and network-building, and reveals a positive attitude towards higher education within the community.
Yoosuf is a doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, where he is researching the impact of educational technology on higher education in India. He holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Delhi University and an M.Phil from JNU.
With a strong foundation in social science research, Yoosuf has contributed to various projects across India. He is also passionate about studying languages and engaging with their cultural roots.
Research Topic: Mapping Community-based Initiatives Supporting Women’s Well-being in Delhi
Eisha’s paper examined community-based initiatives that support women living in underprivileged colonies in Delhi, focusing on their economic, educational, and well-being needs. Through the study of three initiatives—a non-governmental organisation, a voluntary project, and a livelihood program funded by philanthropic grants—her research maps how these initiatives raise women’s critical consciousness about their socio-economic positions, self-esteem, agency, and rights.
Eisha is a PhD graduate from the Department of Social Work at Jamia Millia Islamia University. Her doctoral research explores the intersectionalities of gender, faith, and development, with a particular focus on Muslim women engaged in entrepreneurship. Eisha is currently a research consultant at the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW).
She has also worked as an independent research consultant for Minority Rights Group Europe and contributed to a long-form essay on digital rights as part of a Fellowship with IT for Change. Her research interests include gender and work, minority rights, and feminist perspectives on digital rights.
Research Topic: Blending of Capital Through Guarantee: Risk Mitigation Tools to Unlock Access to Productive Credit for Women in the Missing Middle
Ankur’s study focused on the innovative use of blended finance—particularly guarantees—as a mechanism to catalyse markets in high-risk, underserved sectors. She explored how guarantees can be applied to create markets for women micro-entrepreneurs in India, a largely untapped credit segment. By hedging risks through guarantees, her research examines the structured piloting of value chains where women entrepreneurs have demonstrated both commercial and impact potential. This approach highlights women micro-entrepreneurs as not only safe borrowers but also powerful levers for improving household-level livelihoods.
Ankur is a seasoned impact sector consultant with over 13 years of expertise in social impact monitoring, evaluation, consulting, and operational risk management for social enterprises. Currently, she is developing new-age learning tools for early-stage start-ups at IIMA-CIIE, where she combines her extensive field experience with innovative solutions to support impact-driven enterprises on their growth journey.
Research Topic: Unlocking Outcome-Based Capital in India: An Empirical Exploration of Key Drivers and Barriers with a Focus on Impact Bonds
Anurag’s research provides an in-depth analysis of the rapidly growing adoption of impact bonds—currently the most widely implemented outcome-based financing instrument—within India’s developmental ecosystem. In the context of a global \$4 trillion financing gap to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), his mixed-methods research includes a comprehensive review of 168 academic papers, 42 industry reports, and 33 transaction documents, complemented by primary surveys and interviews. His work identifies knowledge gaps and formulates empirically grounded hypotheses based on stakeholder insights.
Anurag is the Founder and CEO of Impact-Verse, a pioneering tech platform that enables NGOs to access outcome-based capital, driving measurable social impact. As a co-convenor of Parinaam 2023, an industry collaborative on outcome-based financing (OBF), he plays a key role in advancing the sector in India.
He brings diverse experience from leading organisations, including the International Finance Corporation, P&G, and various NGOs. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and FMS Delhi, Anurag has been recognised as a Fellow of Blitzscaling, TAVtech, ELD, Design Innovation, and Jagriti Yatra.
Research Topic: Innovative Finance for Grassroots Organisations: Potential and Challenges
Shruti’s paper examined the potential of innovative finance mechanisms—such as social impact bonds, retail fundraising, venture philanthropy, and small grants—as alternative funding pathways for grassroots organisations. Her paper advocates for inclusive financial ecosystems that prioritise capacity-building and long-term, untied funding to enable these organisations to scale and sustain their impact.
Shruti is an Independent Consultant based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, currently collaborating with Pratham International and serving as a Knowledge Management Consultant at the Buddha Institute, an incubator for for-profit social enterprises. Her research addresses the persistent funding challenges faced by grassroots organisations in India, particularly those founded by individuals from marginalised communities. Shruti holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi University) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from SIPA, Columbia University.
Previously, Shruti was a Research Associate at IIM Ahmedabad, where she explored the ecosystem supporting grassroots social entrepreneurship, with a focus on financial and organisational sustainability.
Project: E-QLT: A social security simulation platform
E-QLT is a social security simulation platform designed to help governments, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), researchers, insurance providers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and individuals understand how vulnerable households are to social and climate risks. Developed by Yashwin, a systems thinker and sustainability expert, and supported by Srinidhi Santosh (Qualitative Researcher), Sukanya Deepak (UI/UX Designer), and Sridhar Raman (Platform Developer), E-QLT addresses a critical knowledge gap in the ecosystem by assessing the effectiveness of existing social protection schemes at the household level.
The platform enables CSOs, planners, and researchers to evaluate current interventions and design more effective ones. By providing a "social protection score" for each household, E-QLT helps test different intervention strategies, ensuring more targeted and impactful solutions. The tool is currently available through a publicly accessible portal, offering valuable insights for building resilient, inclusive social security systems.
Project: SEVA Digital Services Proposal for Livestock Disease Management using Herbal Medicine with Chatbot Application
SEVA is an AI and NLP-based chatbot application designed to bridge the information gap faced by economically disadvantaged farmers, villagers, and livestock keepers. Created by P. Vivekanandan, an agricultural scientist and conservationist, and supported by Sangeetha (Field-level Trainer and Evaluator), Naga Ganesh (Data Science and Machine Learning), B. Sakthi Meena, S.G. Selvi, and Dr. S. Varadarasan (mentor), SEVA is dedicated to providing accessible veterinary solutions.
The SEVA Vetbot App helps livestock owners find herbal treatments for common animal illnesses, offering a vital resource for farmers in rural areas who lack access to affordable veterinary care. Users can interact with the platform in Tamil or English using either text or voice. In the coming months, it will be available in additional languages. The platform leverages AI to suggest treatments drawn from an expanding database of traditional practices. Currently being tested with over 500 field workers, SEVA aims to scale up and reach 1 million users by 2030, providing a powerful tool to improve livestock health and farmer livelihoods in rural communities.
Project: MAAP (Malnutrition Assessment and Action Plan)
MAAP is a mobile app that uses AI to help detect child malnutrition at home. Designed for parents, caregivers, and health workers, the app allows users to take a photo of a child to estimate height and identify early signs of malnutrition. It offers simple, actionable advice and connects with government systems like Poshan Tracker 2.0, making child growth tracking more affordable and accessible, particularly in remote areas.
Currently in its pilot phase, MAAP aims to reach 1 million children by 2030. Developed by Nilashis, an AI scientist, entrepreneur, and healthcare innovator, with support from his mentor Romita Ghosh, the app leverages AI-powered solutions to drive digital transformation in maternal and child health.
Project: NClude: LLM-powered information access and recommendations for the blind and low-vision community
I-Stem is a tech-enabled solution designed to empower people with disabilities through inclusive technology and policy advocacy, co-founded by Kartik. This platform, created by blind innovators with lived experience, developed NClude, a generative AI-powered voice interface accessible via phone calls (IVR) and WhatsApp voice messages.
NClude is a digital platform that enables blind and low-vision users to explore careers, access government schemes, and find helpful tools. It addresses a significant gap in accessible career guidance by using real-life stories and AI-based suggestions. Available through WhatsApp, IVR, and web interfaces, the platform provides personalised support and connects users with opportunities. With over 2,000 users already benefiting from the platform, future plans include expanding to more languages and collaborating with government partners to broaden its reach.
Project: TRANSParent - QTBharath
This groundbreaking project, led by Team PLEQSUS, focused on addressing the historical exclusion and societal prejudices faced by India’s transgender and Gender and Sexual Minority (GSM) communities. Avinaba, a policy analyst, activist, and CEO of PLEQSUS, was supported by his team, including Sudeb Suvana (Community Leader), Prasenjit Chaudhuri (Product Owner), Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Ayan Acharya (Execution Support). PLEQSUS is a non-profit advocating for transgender and GSM rights through sustainable livelihood models and digital tools.
Project TRANSparent - QTBharath uses AI to connect transgender and gender-diverse individuals with jobs, government schemes, training, and healthcare support. It addresses exclusion from employment and services due to bias and lack of access. The platform also enables community leaders to guide members. Recently enhanced with a social network feature, it fosters engagement and facilitates resource uptake. Available as a web platform, the tool will continue to improve with advancements in AI and usability, further reducing barriers and promoting inclusive access to essential resources.
Project: Kanak AI: Formalising gig economy
A Digital Open Solution, designed by Ashim Tuli (Vice President - Innovations and Managed Services, Sambhav Foundation), Praveen SN (Data Scientist), and Harikrishnan TP (Technical Consultant), aims to enhance the social sector’s ability to improve income outcomes.
Kanak AI is a smart tool specifically designed for gig economy workers, predicting potential income based on an individual’s background, skills, and location. The platform helps job seekers, career advisors, and HR professionals set realistic salary expectations. By providing personalised, data-driven career guidance, Kanak AI bridges the divide between job seekers and employers. Currently available as a web app, the tool plans to expand with API integration across platforms and future offerings in career counselling and job-matching services.