The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) and Dasra have entered into an exciting collaboration to strengthen India's presence in the global social impact landscape through the launch of the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship. This initiative, announced during the United Nations General Assembly week, aims to provide Indian social leaders with unparalleled opportunities for global exposure and collaboration.
In this exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Asha Jadeja, Founder of MJF, and Deval Sanghavi, Co-founder & Partner at Dasra, discuss the vision and mission behind this fellowship, the criteria for selecting the inaugural fellows, and the anticipated impact on India's social sector. They also delve into the challenges facing the social sector in India, the role of philanthropic organizations in addressing these challenges, and their future plans to expand and sustain the fellowship program. This dialogue touches upon the priorities and plans of MJF as well as Dasra and also offers a glimpse into the current scenario of philanthropic giving in India.
Read along to explore how MJF and Dasra aim to elevate India's narrative in the global discourse on social innovation and philanthropy:
Asha Jadeja, Founder, Motwani Jadeja Foundation
Q. Please take us through the vision and mission of the Motwani Jadeja Foundation – what are the goals you are working towards, and what is the approach you take to achieve them?
Asha Jadeja (AJ): The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) is committed to fostering entrepreneurial spirit and equal access to opportunities. Our mission is to empower young leaders and innovators to create sustainable solutions for global challenges. Through fellowships, investments, and partnerships, we support individuals and organizations capable of driving systemic impact. Our approach involves building partnerships, scaling proven solutions, and facilitating change.
The Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship is a key initiative focusing on nurturing leaders from high-impact organizations in India, connecting them with global platforms, networks, and mentorship.
Q. What was the primary objective behind launching the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship, and how did you choose Dasra to collaborate with in this endeavor?
AJ: The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) has been running fellowships for many years, empowering Indian leaders across various sectors. The Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship was launched to give social leaders the global exposure, mentorship, and resources they need to scale their impact and foster cross-border collaboration.
We partnered with Dasra for their deep expertise in India’s social sector and vast network. Together, we aim to amplify India’s social innovation globally and create opportunities for collaboration.
Q. Can you elaborate on the criteria used to select the 14 inaugural fellows? What qualities or achievements stood out to you the most in the selected fellows?
AJ: The selection process, conducted by Dasra in consultation with MJF, focused on leaders with resilience, vision, and proven impact in key sectors. We prioritized candidates with a minimum of three years of measurable success and previous experience in the global impact sector. This resulted in a cohort of 14 exceptional leaders from organizations that have collectively impacted over 60 million lives across 24 states and union territories in India, driving systems change for vulnerable communities.
The inaugural cohort consists of innovative leaders recognized for their contributions to social challenges, laying the groundwork for sustainable development.
The rigorous selection process ensures the fellowship serves as a platform for collective growth, fostering collaboration and best practices among diverse leaders.
Q. How do you see this fellowship contributing to the global and Indian discourse on social innovation and philanthropy? Also, do you intend to expand the fellowship to include more fellows or different sectors in the future?
AJ: The Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship has been instrumental in addressing the need of increasing the representation of Indian leaders in global discourse on social innovation and philanthropy. By empowering changemakers, the fellowship enhances India's narrative on the global stage and underscores the vital contributions of Indian organizations in tackling pressing challenges.
This inaugural initiative marks the foundation's commitment to supporting social impact leaders and building stronger connections between India and the world. We look forward to expanding our efforts to encompass diverse sectors and further empower those driving meaningful change.
Q. What do you perceive as the most pressing challenges currently facing the social sector in India? How can philanthropic organizations like MJF play a role in addressing these challenges?
AJ: India's social sector is continually evolving, presenting numerous opportunities for growth and development. There is a pressing need for scalable solutions and equitable access to resources. As social sector spending increases, there’s a need for concerted effort to enhance understanding of developmental issues and solutions among global audiences.
We believe that India must amplify its presence on the global stage. The next century belongs to India, and achieving this vision requires concentrated efforts from all stakeholders, including civil society, government, and corporations. Together, we can drive impactful change and create a sustainable future.
Q. How do you envision the Motwani Jadeja Foundation evolving its support for social leaders over the next five years?
AJ: The Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) has long been dedicated to empowering Indian leaders and driving social innovation. As we continue this important work, our focus remains on creating platforms that amplify the voices of changemakers and nurture transformative impact.
Over the coming years, we will continue to expand our efforts to support Indian leaders, fostering a robust ecosystem that promotes collaboration and innovative solutions to address pressing challenges. We look forward to building on our foundation of support and enhancing India’s narrative on the global stage.
Deval Sanghavi - Co-founder & Partner, Dasra
Q. How did the partnership with Motwani Jadeja Foundation come about for this fellowship, and what role has Dasra played in designing and implementing the same?
Deval Sanghvi (DS): The partnership between the Motwani Jadeja Foundation (MJF) and Dasra was born out of a mutual vision to enhance the representation of Indian social leaders on global platforms. Asha Jadeja (Motwani Jadeja Foundation) and Deval Sanghavi (Dasra) had met last year with the common observation that the Indian social sector was under-represented at many of the global platforms and events taking place in the UNGA week. They felt the need for bringing voices of leaders working in India to enrich the global understanding of India’s pressing challenges as well as the emerging / path-breaking solutions. With India's social landscape becoming increasingly dynamic, there is a pressing need for Indian changemakers to effectively engage with international stakeholders. Recognizing this gap, MJF partnered with Dasra to build out the fellowship.
Dasra has played a crucial role in the design and implementation of the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship. With a widespread presence throughout India, Dasra collaborates closely with grassroots NGOs, corporations, and philanthropic entities. This extensive reach enables a connect with various stakeholders and foster a culture of collaboration and shared learning. Additionally, our experience in organizing global networking events, such as the Dasra Philanthropy Forum, positioned us as the ideal partner for MJF. This partnership allows us to provide comprehensive support from a 360-degree perspective.
Dasra’s responsibilities encompass a range of critical activities, including the identification and selection of fellows through a meticulous application process. Facilitating the cohort-building activities that align with the fellowship's objectives, curating a diverse group of leaders representing different sectors and geographies. This diversity not only enriches the fellowship experience but also fosters opportunities for collaboration and networking among peers. By providing a space for these leaders to interact and represent their organizations, we aim to create a niche for shared learning and collaboration, ultimately enhancing India’s voice in the global social impact discourse.
Q. How does this fellowship align with Dasra’s broader mission to accelerate social change in India? In what ways do you anticipate this initiative impacting the social sector in India?
DS: Dasra’s mission centres on enabling connections, partnerships and collaborations among multiple stakeholders. The vision is to create a nation where everyone thrives with dignity and equity, underpinned by the core values of impact first, trust, integrity, beyond the rationale and dynamism.
The Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship aligns seamlessly with Dasra's mission by empowering leaders who are at the forefront of addressing critical social issues. By equipping these leaders with the necessary tools and platforms to share their innovative solutions, the aim is to elevate India's narrative within the global social impact discourse. This fellowship acts as a catalyst for collaboration and learning, facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies that can be scaled across various sectors.
“In the Indian Philanthropy Report 2023, a significant trend is highlighted showing that nearly 66% of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and affluent givers in India are increasingly contributing to key sectors like healthcare, education, and gender equality. This shift underscores the growing importance of family philanthropy, particularly among now-gen and inter-gen givers, who prioritize systemic change through collaborative, cross-sector partnerships. Their focus on intersectional approaches, such as gender equity and climate action, is expected to inspire other organizations to adopt similar practices, fostering more sustainable and impactful solutions."
This adjustment clarifies that the 66% refers to HNIs and affluent givers rather than all philanthropists in India, and emphasizes family philanthropy's role”. Ultimately, we at Dasra foresee this fellowship contributing significantly to more effective responses to India’s socio-economic challenges, paving the way for a more resilient and equitable society.
Q. How will Dasra support the fellows during their time in New York City? What are some key global networks or platforms the fellows will be introduced to?
DS: During their time in New York City, Dasra ensured that the fellows maximized their engagement at significant global events. The support encompassed a variety of crucial activities designed to facilitate their experience.
Firstly, assisting the fellows in planning and coordination, managing logistics and schedules to ensure a smooth visit. We have also created cohorts of fellows, facilitating workshops prior to the event to build camaraderie and encourage collaborative spirit.
In addition, Dasra provided support for access to side events by sharing a curated list of relevant activities occurring during UNGA week. This enabledthe fellows to identify key opportunities to engage with global leaders and stakeholders effectively, as per their specific requirements. The goal is to ensure they leave no stone unturned in making valuable connections and learnings. The fellows were able to participate at the Goalkeepers (The Gates Foundation), Summit of the Future (UN) and events hosted by Skoll Foundation, Schwab Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative, Jan Sahas, among others.
Furthermore, through the Dasra Philanthropy Forum, fellows had dedicated spaces to amplify their work, network with other likeminded professionals and potential funders, showcasing their organizations and initiatives to a broader audience.
Moreover, this will continue to facilitate cross-learning among fellows, creating platforms for them to share best practices, experiences, findings, and knowledge, enhancing their collective learning.
Q. How will Dasra ensure the sustainability and growth of this fellowship program in the coming years? Are there plans to integrate the learnings from this fellowship into other Dasra initiatives?
DS: To ensure the sustainability and growth of the Motwani Jadeja Impact Fellowship, Dasra will gatherfeedback and insights from the inaugural cohort. This inaugural year will serve as a critical learning phase, providing Dasra with invaluable data and experiences that will inform impactful changes and enhancements for future cohorts.
Additionally, the plan is to integrate the insights gained from this fellowship into other initiatives. Dasra will potentially integrate the learnings into its cohort based capacity building programs for NGOs, like the Dasra Social Impact Leadership Program, among others.
The aim is to also explore partnerships with other philanthropic organizations to enable a larger cohort of leaders with this opportunity. This year itself, Dasra was able to secure similar funding for another 5 organizations from a family foundation based in the US. This will not only sustain the fellowship but also enhance its scope, allowing us to expand our reach and impact in subsequent years.
Q. Taking a broader look at the philanthropic sector in India, are there any shifts or trends that have caught your attention recently? How do you think these trends would play out in the near to medium future?
DS: Despite the steady growth in social sector spending—about 13% annually over the last five years—India still falls short of meeting NITI Aayog’s spending targets needed to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Most of this growth comes from public spending (accounting for 95% of total social spending), but there are some emerging trends in private philanthropy that are worth noting. In FY23, private philanthropy grew by 10% to INR 1.2 lakh crore ($15B), with notable growth in family philanthropy (15%) and retail giving (12%). However, growth in CSR and HNI/affluent donations remains moderate, even with a broader donor base.
Within family philanthropy, UHNI giving saw an impressive 60% growth, largely driven by concurrent donors. In contrast, HNI/affluent giving grew by only 7%, despite this segment’s relatively higher propensity to give compared to UHNIs. This indicates room for growth, particularly as India’s economy and capital markets continue to expand.
A noticeable shift is the increasing role of Women, Now-Gen, and Inter-Gen givers in philanthropy. These groups are placing a strong emphasis on gender, equity, diversity, inclusion (GEDI), and climate action. Women-led family philanthropy is becoming more prominent, with female donors focusing on intersectional approaches to tackle complex societal issues. Now-Gen and Inter-Gen givers, while still investing in traditional areas like education and healthcare, are beginning to prioritize systemic change, particularly in GEDI and climate action.
Collaborative philanthropy is also on the rise. Over the past three years, the number of collaboratives formed in India has increased fivefold, particularly in areas like climate action and ecosystem strengthening, which now account for over half of these initiatives. However, future growth in this space will depend on maintaining domestic momentum and ensuring broader engagement from various stakeholders.
These trends indicate that while India’s philanthropic landscape is broadening and evolving, there remains untapped potential, particularly in mobilizing HNI/affluent donors and leveraging collaborative models to address underfunded areas. These developments suggest a promising trajectory for philanthropy in India, but unlocking further growth and impact will require strategic focus on systemic issues and ecosystem strengthening.
Q. In what ways do you see Dasra contributing to shaping the future of philanthropy in India? What are the partnerships or initiatives that you are looking forward to in the near term?
DS: At Dasra, we are contributing to the future of philanthropy by focusing on areas that can make a meaningful impact, particularly for vulnerable communities. Over the past few years, we’ve made it a priority to bring the voices of these communities—such as informal workers and adolescents—into our program design and decision-making processes. Our approach focuses on addressing the root causes of inequality through an intersectional lens, which we integrate across our work. We’re also working to highlight innovative social solutions, not just in India but globally. By building new networks and platforms, we’re helping to drive social change, while also learning from global partners to strengthen our efforts here in India.
Collaboration is central to our work. We’re bringing together NGOs, governments, and funders to align efforts and have a bigger impact. At the same time, we’re building a values-led organization that emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring that our approach remains people-centered and future-ready. Looking ahead, we’re focused on building collaborative platforms that bring together different stakeholders to address pressing issues like climate action, gender equity, and social inclusion among others.
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