The ILSS AI and Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program
India’s only capacity building program to enable nonprofit leaders adopt digital and AI holistically for their organisation and drive catalytic impact at scale
Program Timelines
- Duration: 10 weeks
Program Mode
- In-person Week 1: 1 to 4 Oct 2026
- Virtual Week 2 to Week 9: 10 Oct to 5 Dec 2026
- In-person Week 10: 10 to 12 Dec 2026
Fees
- ₹1.25 Lakhs + GST
- Merit & need based Scholarships are available.
Discover The Why
India's Social Sector is at a Digital Inflection Point
Research with 40+ social purpose organisation leaders and 15+ sector experts reveals that the sector is ready for digital transformation and is actively looking for a structured, practitioner-led pathway to make it happen.
What the Research Reveals
67.5%
of organisations already have a dedicated technology team
– the foundation for digital transformation is in place.
72.5%
believe technology will be critical to program delivery in 3 years – this signals that social sector leaders are thinking ahead and building with intention.
Three areas where social sector leaders are leaning in.
Aligning technology with mission
Technology investments deliver the most impact when anchored to an organisation’s mission and long-term goals – not just adopted as standalone tools.
Turning data into decisions
Organisations are already generating rich Program data. The opportunity lies in building the systems and leadership capability to turn it into sharper decisions.
Sustaining digital change
Digital transformation delivers lasting results when leadership owns it – with the governance mindset and internal capability to sustain momentum long after the initial push.
Program Introduction
See What the ILSS AI & Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program Delivers
Watch The ILSS AI & Digital Transformation for Social
Impact Program introduction, and see how ILSS is empowering social purpose organisations across India to craft their own digital transformation journey and drive catalytic impact at scale.
"The program aims to equip nonprofits with the tools and insights to navigate both ‘digital’ and ‘transformation’ effectively, empowering them to innovate, sustain, and scale their impact."
Anu Prasad
Founder-CEO, India Leaders for Social Sector
Leaders in the ILSS Alumni Community from grassroots changemakers to leaders shaping the social sector.
0
1300+
Learn from subject matter experts on topics ranging from Data Based Storytelling to Generative AI for Social Impact and many more.
0
30 Program sessions
Program Highlights
What Makes the ILSS AI & Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program Unique in the Indian Social Sector
Designed for working nonprofit leaders, rigorous, cohort based, and immediately applicable to your organisation’s digital transformation journey.
10 Week blended learning journey designed for social sector leaders
12+ Real-world digital transformation case studies from leading nonprofits
1:1 Mentoring with sector and technology experts
Opportunity to win grants plus 6+ months of post-program digital transformation support
A personalised Digital Transformation roadmap for your organisation
1300+ Access to the ILSS alumni network
What This Program Delivers
Four capabilities you leave with
Every module, mentor session, and case study is designed to build one of four leadership capabilities – so that the transformation becomes an organisational capability.
Strategy
Building a Mission-Aligned Digital Transformation Strategy
Many organisations adopt technology tools without anchoring them in their mission or long-term organisational goals. This often leads to fragmented systems and limited impact.
What the program enables
- Develop a clear digital transformation roadmap
- Align technology investments with program and impact goals
- Build leadership capability to prioritise and govern digital initiatives
Digital Program Delivery
Designing Program That Are Built for Digital from the Start
As organisations expand their reach, technology will increasingly shape how programs are delivered, monitored, and scaled. However, many leaders lack the frameworks to integrate digital solutions effectively.
What the program enables
- Reimagine program delivery using digital tools
- Learn from real-world technology-enabled non-profit models
- Identify scalable digital solutions for social impact
Data & Decision-Making
Turning Program Data into Decisions That Drive Impact
While many nonprofits collect large amounts of data, they often lack systems that transform this data into meaningful insights for program improvement and funder reporting.
What the program enables
- Design data systems and dashboards for impact tracking
- Strengthen data-driven decision-making across teams
- Improve reporting, monitoring, and evaluation through technology
Productivity & Organisational Efficiency
Realising Measurable Productivity Gains Across Your Organisation
Despite this potential, many organisations struggle to integrate digital tools across workflows, resulting in duplicated effort and manual processes.
What the program enables
- Identify high-impact digital tools for operations and collaboration
- Streamline internal workflows and processes
- Build systems that scale organisational capacity and efficiency
Who Should Apply
Built for Leaders of Social Purpose Organisations
For CEOs, CTOs, co founders, and program directors of nonprofits and social purpose organisations whose organisations have been in existence for at least three years and have an annual budget of at least ₹3 crores.
Founders & Co-founders of Nonprofits
Looking to build a structured digital strategy, improve program delivery, and demonstrate technology-driven impact to funders and boards.
Executive Directors of SPOs
Leading social purpose organisations at scale and wanting to embed digital transformation as an organisational capability-not just a tech project.
Foundation Leaders
Wanting to deploy AI for impact reporting, strengthen grantee partnerships, and make data-driven decisions on CSR investments.
CTOs & Technology Leads of SPOs
Seeking to bridge the gap between technology capabilities and mission goals and build DT strategies that get board and leadership buy-in.
Program Directors of SPOs
Responsible for field delivery, M&E, and beneficiary outreach eager to use digital tools and process automation to improve efficiency at scale.
Case Studies
Learn from India's Leading Social Purpose Organisations
Real world digital transformation journeys, best practices, and breakthrough moments shared directly by SPO and not for profit organisation leaders who have navigated this path and are building a more impactful, technology enabled social sector.
*Illustrative only. Actual case study organisations may vary per cohort.
Faculty & Mentors
India's Most Accomplished Digital Transformation & Social Sector Practitioners
Every faculty member and mentor is an active practitioner, real leaders who have built and deployed digital transformation in the Indian social sector context.
Rizwan Koita
Chairman, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
Co-founder, Koita Foundation
…. and 10+ more sector leaders and technology experts as mentors
Alumni Voices
What Participants have to Say
Stories, Scale, and the community behind the Program
The DTSI program has been a journey of shifting perspectives—seeing technology not as an end but as a means to enable deeper, more human-centered change. Along the way, we discovered that true transformation is rooted not in systems, but in people: in understanding their realities, aspirations, and contexts. What began as a technical exploration evolved into a holistic understanding of how digital transformation transcends mere technological implementation. It challenged us to think beyond implementation and embrace leadership, empathy, and innovation. More than tools, it taught us the art of creating lasting, meaningful impact.
Prapti BhasinChief Operating Officer,Aavishkaar Center
The DTSI Program has been a deeply transformative journey for both me and my organisation. Guided by my mentor, Varsha Varma, I gained new clarity on defining problems and structuring solutions. Engaging with experts across sectors broadened my understanding of digital strategy. I now carry a clearer roadmap for applying digital transformation to better serve our school leaders and students. Above all, the community-driven approach and ILSS team’s support made this experience both enriching and profoundly thought-provoking.
Kalyani KumarChief Information Officer,Adhyayan Foundation
The ILSS Digital Transformation Program has proven to be an enriching experience. Over the past three months, we had the privilege of learning from leading experts who provided invaluable insights into their journeys and the rapidly evolving digital landscape. My mentor helped deepen my understanding and assisted in developing a structured roadmap for Concern India Foundation’s digital transformation journey. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to foster meaningful transformation in their workplace.
Manisha DesaiDirector,Concern India Foundation
The program has been a transformative and thought-provoking experience for those of us in the development sector striving to harness the power of technology for scalable impact. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of "digital" and "transformation" and their application in the sector. Additionally, it provides critical insights into collaborating with government entities on technology-driven initiatives. Perhaps most importantly, participants benefit from the guidance of experienced mentors who help refine ideas into actionable, scalable, and impactful strategies.
Sharat GoswamiCofounder & Director,Milaan Foundation
The Community
85
+
Nonprofit & SPO Leaders across 4 Cohorts
- Education
- Health
- Climate
- Livelihoods
- Gender
- Rural Development
- Civic Tech
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from Social Sector Leaders Like You
What is the format and duration of the Program?
The Program will run in a blended format for 10 weeks as follows:
- In-person components in Delhi-NCR from 1 to 4 Oct 2026 and 10 to 12 Dec 2026
- 8 weeks of online learning and mentoring from 10 Oct to 5 Dec 2026
What is the expected time commitment?
The general guideline for expected time commitment:
- In-person sessions: 8 hours per day, for 6 days
- Virtual sessions: 4 hours per week, for 8 weeks
- Virtual mentoring and cohort connects: 2-3 hours per week, for 8 weeks
Can I manage it alongside my full-time role?
All learning sessions are scheduled on Saturday mornings, and mentoring sessions are flexible and coordinated around cohort member’s availability. The two in-person residentials in Delhi-NCR (1–4 October and 10–12 December 2026) are the only fixed time commitments that require travel and full-day presence.
Most participants manage the program alongside their full-time roles. The cohort format also means you learn alongside peers in similar positions, so the conversations in the program directly reflect the realities of leading an organisation.
I am not a technology person? Is this program still relevant for me?
Having a technology background is not necessary for this program. What is important is that you bring leadership and management experience, as the program focuses on helping leaders make informed decisions about using digital systems within their organisations.
What will I concretely walk away at the end of 10 weeks?
- Structured digital strategy (beyond tool experimentation).
- Leadership alignment across programs, operations & data.
- Personalised mentorship to build your organisation’s digital blueprint.
How does mentoring work and who will be my mentor?
Mentoring is one of the most distinctive features of this program. Here is how it works:
Why should I choose this Program over other digital transformation or technology courses available in India?
Most digital transformation programs in India are designed for corporate professionals in banking, FMCG, or IT. The ILSS Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program is the only structured program built specifically for social purpose organisations in India, and it differs in three fundamental ways:
What is the admission process?
Admission Process:
- Complete and submit the application form.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview.
- Candidates approved by the interview panel will undergo a scholarship assessment. The final offer letter will be issued accordingly.
What is the eligibility criteria for this Program?
- Your organisation has been in existence for at least 3 years.
- Your organisation has an annual budget of at least 3 crores.
What is the fee structure of the Program? What elements are covered in the Program fee?
The fee for the program is 1.25 Lakh INR (+ GST). Merit & need based Scholarships are available.
The fee covers the accommodation, on a full-board basis, during the in-person days. Cost of travel has to be borne by the participant.
What is the payment process?
Once your candidature has been confirmed, we will share the bank payment details with you to pay the fee.
Are scholarships available?
Yes, merit & need-based scholarships are available.
Ready to Lead Your Organisation's Digital Transformation?
Join Cohort 5 of India’s most practitioner-driven digital transformation program for social sector leaders.
For queries: Unsure if the program is for you, talk to our counsellors to know more about the program
Payel Mohanto +91 9355303033, Jeanie Basumatary +91 7433052203
© 2026 India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) · Koita Center for AI & Digital Transformation (KCADT)