Dasra’s story began in 1999 with a simple goal: invest in early-stage nonprofits and spark lasting impact for India’s most vulnerable. Over two decades, Dasra has evolved into a systems orchestrator—bridging funders, NGOs, and communities to tackle complex issues at scale.
Collaboration sits at the heart of Dasra’s approach. Its diverse programme pillars address challenges from adolescent health and climate resilience to gender equity and informal worker rights. Initiatives like the 10to19 Collaborative and Youth Ke Bol empower millions of young people, especially girls, while ClimateRISE unites partners to build resilience in vulnerable communities. The organisation’s WomenLead Alliance and Urban Sanitation team drive change on women’s leadership, inclusive healthcare, and sustainability across South Asia.
Dasra is deeply committed to making philanthropy more strategic, inclusive, and catalytic. Through its Catalytic Philanthropy division and networks like GivingPi, it supports family funders, offers tailored advisory, builds NGO capacity, and delivers actionable insights. The impact is significant—Dasra has channelled over ₹3,500 crore to the sector, partnered with 900+ NGOs, and influenced more than 70 policy decisions.
Meet the team
Dasra, on LinkedIn
Deval Sanghavi, Co-founder & Partner
Neera Nundy, Co-founder & Partner
Shailja Mehta, Partner
Central to Dasra’s vision is equity. Its work champions diversity, amplifies underrepresented voices, and designs solutions rooted in India’s realities. Programmes like ImpactPi and Social Compact focus on empowering local leaders, nurturing inclusive funding, and improving conditions for informal workers—from fair wages to social security and skill development.
As Dasra grows, so does its ability to foster community within the social sector. From hands-on fellowships that nurture new talent, to digital innovations like “The Philanthropist” magazine, the organisation creates spaces for learning, sharing, and bold action. Its legacy is not just in numbers, but in the lives changed and potential unlocked through collective effort.
Dasra continues to reimagine what giving in India can achieve—bringing people together from all walks of life to build a nation where every individual thrives with dignity and equity. For anyone seeking to make a difference, Dasra is the bridge from aspiration to action.
