Neera Nundy’s journey is a powerful story of conscious transformation from a corporate analyst to a key changemaker in India’s social sector.

Born and raised in Canada, Neera’s early connection to India was deeply personal her mother had founded a day school for tribal children near Kharagpur, West Bengal, a setting that left a lasting impression on her young mind.

Despite her privileged academic and professional journey where she earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and worked at Morgan Stanley and UBS Neera often reflected, “With all this access to privilege, I kept asking myself if there was something I could do that would make a difference”.

This internal questioning ignited a passion that eventually led her to co-found Dasra in 1999 with her husband Deval Sanghavi, marking the start of a mission to meld business acumen with social impact.

“Our journey was zigzag, not linear,” she explains, taking audiences along a path of learning, challenge, and dedication toward bigger societal change.

Building an Ecosystem of Impact and Empathy

At Dasra, Neera has been instrumental in shaping a model of strategic philanthropy that centres around data, empathy, and collective action. The organisation, whose name means “enlightened giving” in Sanskrit, began as a venture philanthropy fund investing in early-stage nonprofits but soon evolved into a broader ecosystem builder connecting funders, NGOs, and government bodies.

“Philanthropy is not just about giving money; it’s about giving wisely and with empathy,” Neera says, underscoring her belief that sound strategy must underpin every act of generosity.

Over two decades, Dasra mobilised more than USD 420 million to support upwards of 1500 organisations impacting over 180 million lives, with initiatives like the Dasra Adolescents Collaborative focusing on measurable outcomes in adolescent empowerment, health, and education.

She highlights the importance of institutional strength, saying, “Flexible funding and strong management capacity are fundamental for organisations to scale their impact,” which has helped shift donor mindsets from short-term aid to long-term investment.

Strategic Philanthropy Meets Growing Social Sector

Neera’s background in finance shaped her approach to philanthropy, applying principles like rigorous analysis, transparency, and ecosystem thinking to unlock capital for social good.

Reflecting on her early career, she notes, “At Morgan Stanley, we learned how to move capital efficiently; we brought that expertise to the social sector, realising that intermediaries were essential to connecting funders with grassroots work”.

This approach came at a critical time as India’s social sector expanded rapidly, now projected to spend Rs 45 lakh crore by 2029. Neera’s leadership in fostering trust-based partnerships across family philanthropists, corporates, and international agencies has been recognised globally, including awards from Forbes India and the Canadian Governor General.

Her commitment to education is evident in launching Dasra’s Social Impact Leadership Program with Harvard, designed to build skills among nonprofit leaders, showing her belief that knowledge sharing fortifies the entire sector.

Challenges and Lessons from Early Days

The initial phase of Dasra’s journey was not without hurdles. Neera recalls the challenge of convincing nonprofits and funders alike about the value of strategic philanthropy. “Many NGOs told us, ‘We just want money, not hands-on support,’ and donors were hesitant to fund operational costs or long-term plans,” she recounts.

Over time, through persistent relationship-building and demonstrating impact, Dasra helped reshape philanthropy culture in India, encouraging funders to invest in capacity-building and management infrastructure.

This “evidence of why” approach emphasising data-backed decision-making challenged the traditional inclination-driven giving and moved the sector toward measurable outcomes.

Her persistence illustrates how systemic change requires patience, trust, and the ability to educate diverse stakeholders about evolving philanthropic models.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Neera Nundy represents a new wave of Indian philanthropic leadership that blends strategic insight, empathy, and collaboration to drive sustained social change. Her journey, from corporate boardrooms to community-focused impact, exemplifies how adopting a data-driven and trust-based approach can unlock India’s vast philanthropic potential responsibly.

At The Logical Indian, we believe that her work highlights the urgent need for transparency, partnership, and respect within social investing qualities that promote dignity alongside development. Emulating this model will help India address its complex social challenges while fostering equity and inclusion.

As we reflect on Neera’s story and vision, we invite our readers to consider: How can we expand our own roles whether as donors, activists, or citizens to foster a philanthropic ecosystem grounded in accountability and empathy?

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