Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy - Ashoka University

CSIP organised Social Innovation Summit to invigorate the adoption of groundbreaking solutions within the sector, ultimately aiming to enhance the social sector's effectiveness.
This summit is designed as a gathering to ignite innovation in philanthropy and social transformation. It will assemble Innovators ('Thinkers'), professionals from the social sector ('Doers'), and philanthropists ('Enablers'). The primary goal is to facilitate the exchange of emerging ideas, knowledge, and practices, stimulate innovation, and cultivate partnerships. The summit's central focus is on exploring how innovations can be harnessed to address India's pressing social challenges.

How India Gives is a continuous, in-depth research project carried out by the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP) at Ashoka University in partnership with the Worldpanel Division of Kantar. The inaugural release of the report, How India Gives, 2020–21, marked a groundbreaking effort to analyze charitable giving trends within households, encompassing diverse geographic regions, socioeconomic strata, demographics, and modes of philanthropy. Utilizing data collected from a survey of households, including an extensive panel of around 81,000 households, the report offered an exhaustive, nationally representative overview of charitable giving practices in the country.

In 2012, Amit Chandra conceived the Mother Teresa Fellowship (MTF), an early career fellowship program for Ashoka University graduates who are deeply committed to forging careers in the realm of social impact. The MTF initiative embraces a values-driven leadership philosophy, aiming to cultivate inherent strength and resilience in young leaders, equipping them to effectively navigate intricate and demanding scenarios. Over an 18-month duration, fellows immerse themselves in the field of social impact, fostering a deeper understanding of self and its interconnectedness with their contributions to civil society.

The Centre of Social Impact and Philanthropy conducts research on critical topics within strategic philanthropy and civil society. Our mission is to share knowledge that informs effective decision-making and fuels policy discussions within India's social sector. We not only provide reliable, evidence-based insights through applied research but also strive to cultivate a culture of evidence-driven discourse and decision-making through our various projects.
Our initiatives encompass a range of outputs, including case studies, surveys, policy briefs, and collaborative knowledge partnerships with organizations and thought leaders. Together, we are dedicated to narrowing the knowledge gap and enhancing the sector's capabilities by establishing credibility, fostering connections, and expanding expertise through the research we produce and disseminate.

Situated within Ashoka University, an institution distinguished by its community-driven philanthropy, CSIP functions as an academic hub with a distinct advantage in uniting various stakeholders in the realm of social impact. We orchestrate inclusive initiatives that serve as impartial and supportive platforms where participants can:
• Exchange information, concepts, and best practices • Collaborate and gain knowledge from one another • Uncover opportunities for synergistic partnerships and pioneering ideas • Establish collective benchmarks, norms, and protocols for sector governance • Foster a unified sector perspective and direction, thereby enhancing influence on policy, regulation, and public dialogues.