We exist to empower the social sector to unlock resources for impact at scale. By strengthening the fundraising capabilities of social purpose organisations, we equip fundraisers and organisation leaders with the knowledge, tools, and networks they need to sustain and scale their work.
The Centre of Excellence for Fundraising at ILSS is a first-of-its-kind initiative committed to catalysing effective, purpose-led, fundraising for social impact at scale. The Centre works on strengthening fundraising capacity, leadership and fostering a collaborative community of fundraisers in the social sector. Through a mix of structured learning programs, platforms for dialogue, and collaborative convenings, the CoE brings together diverse stakeholders including funders, fundraisers, ecosystem enablers, domestic and international experts for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration.




The global impact sector is navigating a fast-evolving funding ecosystem. India, in particular, is witnessing unprecedented growth in domestic philanthropic funding, shifts in CSR spending, and the rise of non-traditional funding models. Yet, most nonprofit organisations lack the specialised fundraising capabilities needed to adapt to this, with 92% of nonprofits identifying core funding and financial stability as a challenge (India Nonprofit Report, Kearney and Dasra). The Centre of Excellence for Fundraising addresses this critical need by building fundraising capacity and strengthening the fundraising community.

Lead, Centre of Excellence for Fundraising
Nikita is an impact leader with experience across corporate philanthropy, capacity building, and nonprofit program management. She previously served as the India Lead at Google.org, the global philanthropic arm of Google, wherein she spearheaded Google India’s CSR strategy and grantmaking. She built Google India’s first philanthropic portfolio in Digital Responsibility to reach over 1 million underserved people, in addition to crafting impact partnerships in sustainability, economic opportunity, and AI for Social Good.
Early in her career, she was a founding team member of the School of Life Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on prevention of sexual violence against women and children. She also worked with Kaivalya Education Foundation on large-scale public education reform in rural Rajasthan and municipal schools of Mumbai.
Nikita holds a Master’s in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and is also an alum of Delhi University and the Gandhi Fellowship.

Manager - CoE Fundraising
Sanjivani Singh is a social impact leader and co-founded the Spinning Wheel Leadership Foundation, where she has spearheaded initiatives that have impacted over 10,000 students across villages in Rajasthan. With over eight years of experience in non-profit management, curriculum design, teacher training and government partnerships, she has honed her expertise in designing grassroot-led models.
Her expertise also lies in building multi-stakeholder collaborations with government bodies, research and civil society organisations to drive systemic change in education and policy. Sanjivani has also served as a co-investigator on ICSSR-funded research projects, influencing policy on scheme of PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
A law graduate from Nirma University and an alumna of the Gandhi Fellowship, she brings a unique blend of legal insight, grassroots experience, and strategic vision to all her work. Sanjivani is deeply committed to fostering youth leadership, civic engagement, and equitable access to resources in underserved communities. She is currently the Program Manager at ILSS.

Senior Associate - CoE Fundraising
Yashika is a social development professional with experience across youth leadership, program management, fundraising, and advocacy. She previously led national programs on gender justice and youth development, wherein she designed and implemented multi-location projects, built cross-sectoral partnerships, and amplified grassroots voices in global advocacy spaces such as the United Nations General Assembly. She has also managed communications strategies that centered on ethical storytelling, regional representation, and inclusive narratives, ensuring that voices from marginalized communities were recognized in national and international dialogues.
Through her professional journey, she has led holistic learning and safe spaces for children and young people, facilitating workshops on leadership, SRHR, mental health, and economic empowerment. As her work evolved, she transitioned from leading community-based initiatives to driving national and international programs that integrated advocacy, capacity building, and art-based facilitation. Through these experiences, she has developed a strong expertise in enabling youth representation, strengthening participatory processes, and fostering transformative leadership.
Yashika holds a Master’s in Philosophy and is an expert in art-based facilitation, integrating creative methodologies into her practice to enable reflection, dialogue, and collective action. Passionate about inclusion and equity, she continues to bridge grassroots realities with institutional spaces to drive collective progress. She is currently a Senior Associate at the Centre of Excellence for Fundraising at ILSS, where she aims at contributing to strengthening fundraising capacities in the sector and supporting sustainable impact.

Program Associate
Aradhya has forged a dynamic career path, transitioning from the corporate realm to impactful social work. Starting his professional journey at KPMG, Aradhya honed his skills in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, where he gained valuable experience in strategic analysis and project management. His desire to contribute to societal change led him to a transformative fellowship with Teach For India (TFI), where he immersed himself in educational initiatives aimed at bridging the opportunity gap for underprivileged children.
Currently, Aradhya is a Program Associate in the Centre of Excellence for Fundraising. His blend of corporate acumen and passion for social causes underscores his commitment to fostering meaningful change and advancing sustainable development goals. Aradhya’s journey reflects a dedication to leveraging his skills for the greater good, making a significant difference in the social sector through both strategic insight and hands-on engagement.
A 3-month immersive learning experience focused on equipping fundraisers with strategic, operational, and relational fundraising skills.
A premier convening bringing together global and Indian fundraising experts for learning and collaboration through masterclasses, discussions, and networking opportunities.
Watch the highlights from the India Fundraising Conference 2025, where 700+ sector leaders came together to reimagine fundraising as the engine of lasting social impact.
This report highlights the long-term impact of The ILSS Fundraising Program on the fundraising competencies and organisational capacities of its participants.
India’s first-of-its-kind, comprehensive platform for fundraising professionals — unlocking capital, capacity, and community to catalyse social impact.
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