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Reimagining Our Purpose
At ILSS, we have always believed that leadership can transform the social sector. Last year, we took a step back to ask ourselves: How can we do more?
To find answers, we revisited our vision and mission as an institution.
OUR VISION
Transformed Leaders. Transformed Society. Transformed World.
OUR MISSION
Catalysing Leadership for Deeper Social Impact at Scale
OUR AMBITION
By 2030, as a movement, we will impact 5000+ alumni across 1000+ nonprofits
Because when we build strong leaders, we build a stronger India.
The Institution We Are Crafting
ILSS reimagined its role in India’s social sector, evolving from a program-driven organisation into a full-spectrum leadership and management education institution. Anchored in a rigorous strategy exercise and guided by our vision, we established four Centres of Excellence to address a critical sector-wide challenge: the gap between aspiration and capability within social purpose organisations.
Focusing on Leadership and Talent, Fundraising, Board and Governance, and Digital Transformation, these Centres are designed not just to deliver high-quality learning, but to create knowledge, build communities of practice, and develop systemic capacity across the social sector.
Anu Prasad, Founder–CEO, looks back on an extraordinary year of transformation and shares how ILSS is reimagining its purpose to play a deeper, more holistic role in strengthening the social sector.
The Power behind the Transformation
Core Leadership Team
Appointment of Archana Ramachandran as COO and four Heads to lead the Centres of Excellence at ILSS
Our Advisory Board
A guiding force, both anchor and critique. We welcomed Tara Singh Vachani and Rekha Koita to the Board this year
Our Partners
Not just supporters; they’re co-builders who share our purpose. We onboarded the Koita Foundation this year
Our Alumni
Our true champions, whose commitment to lifelong learning and leadership lies at the heart of everything we do
Reflections of the Year
Voices from the ILSS Advisory Board
Ashish Dhawan
Member, ILSS Advisory Board | Philanthropist & Founder – CEO, The Convergence Foundation
Srivatsan Rajan
Chair, ILSS Advisory Board | Advisory Partner, Bain & Company
Rekha Koita
Member, ILSS Advisory Board | Director & Co-founder, Koita Foundation
Sonny Iqbal
Member, ILSS Advisory Board | Egon Zehnder
Archana Ramachandran, Chief Operating Officer, reflects on a pivotal year of implementation of our mission. From bold internal investments to expanded program reach and new publications, she shares how ILSS laid strong foundations for sustained sector-wide impact.
Behind the Scenes of a Transformative Year
Vision needs leadership; leadership needs vision.
As ILSS set its sights on becoming more than just a program-driven organisation, we knew we had to strengthen our foundation. Scaling impact required more than ambition – it needed the right ideas, focused leadership, and seamless operational excellence. We adopted a holistic approach to capacity building, while also investing in strengthening the organisation’s core systems and structures. The year was both expansive and defining, strengthening our roots as we aim for bolder impact.
The Year In Highlights
Program Outcome
235 alumni graduated this year across the four Centres of Excellence that collectively offered seven distinct ILSS programs
Sector-Wide Convenings
Over 900 social sector changemakers engaged during the India Fundraising Conference 2025 and the India Women’s Leadership Conference 2024
Thought Leadership
Launched 8 sector-relevant publications, including research and impact reports, alumni stories, and the ILSS magazine
Fostering Alumni Community
Launched Alma Connect to help 1,000+ ILSS alumni collaborate across programs, cohorts and cities
The Centre of Excellence for Leadership
The Centre of Excellence for Leadership drives sectoral transformation by offering leadership programs for social sector professionals and crossover leaders, while also advancing research, publishing knowledge resources, hosting convenings, and delivering holistic leadership solutions tailored to the sector’s evolving needs.
Equipping Crossover Leaders for Social Impact
40% of nonprofits struggle to attract senior leadership talent (The Bridgespan Report on Nonprofit Leadership). The Centre builds purposeful leadership pipelines by equipping corporate sector professionals — both senior and mid-career — with the mindsets, skills, and sectoral knowledge needed to drive social impact in India.
‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’
- John Quincy Adams
Dr Rajneesh Chowdhury, Former Head – ILSS Centre of Excellence for Leadership, shares how the Centre is creating leadership solutions and unlocking new opportunities for crossover leaders in the social sector.
Dr Shradha Roy, Associate Director, speaks about ILSS initiatives to build an ecosystem for women leaders to emerge, thrive and succeed in the social sector.
Empowering Women Leaders
Only 19% of social purpose organisations in India are led by women (ILSS Report on Women’s Leadership in The Indian Development Sector). To help bridge this gap, our intensive program empowers mid-career women leaders to unlock their full potential by deepening their understanding of self, gender, and intersectionality, advancing them meaningfully in their leadership journeys and driving greater individual, organisational, and sectoral impact.
‘Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.’
- Serena Williams
The Year In Highlights
- 6 leadership cohorts across programs: Completed 3 cohorts of The ILSS Leadership Program, 1 cohort of The ILSS Young Leaders Program, and 2 cohorts of The ILSS Emerging Women’s Leadership Program (EWLP)
- Graduated 126 leaders: Added 66 graduates from crossover leadership programs and 60 graduates from EWLP
- 2 editions of 'Understanding Social Impact': Conducted a day-long leadership workshop in Mumbai and Bengaluru to orient leaders from other sectors to the nuances of the social sector, attended by 45 participants from organisations like Genpact, PwC, American India Foundation, Citizens Association for Child Rights, and Adhyayan Foundation
- Knowledge products for the social sector: Published the Young Leaders Report on sectoral talent needs, 10 insightful blogs, and hosted a webinar on discovering one’s leadership potential
- Published A Kind of Magic: Captured the evolution and alumni impact of The ILSS Emerging Women’s Leadership Program through a powerful anthology of alumni leadership stories
- India Women’s Leadership Conference (IWLC) 2024: This inaugural edition brought together 150+ women leaders, 23 speakers and allies, and 16 partner organisations to celebrate inclusive leadership
- A diverse EWLP alumni network: Formed a 140-strong community representing 80+ social sector organisations, with 45% of participants from beyond Delhi-NCR
The Centre of Excellence for Fundraising
Fundraising is the lifeline of every nonprofit. The Centre is building a vibrant, skilled, and future-ready fundraising ecosystem for the social sector through capacity building, community networks, and platforms for learning and collaboration.
Strengthening Fundraising Capability
India’s nonprofit sector is navigating a rapidly evolving funding landscape, marked by rising domestic philanthropy, shifts in CSR allocations, and the emergence of non-traditional funding models. Yet, most nonprofit organisations lack the specialised fundraising capabilities needed to adapt. In fact, 92% of nonprofits identify core funding and financial stability as major challenges (India Nonprofit Report, Kearney and Dasra). The Centre is on a mission to build a cadre of empowered, confident fundraisers equipped with the knowledge, skills, and networks to drive lasting impact for their organisations and causes.
‘Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.’
- Hank Rosso
Nikita Gupta, Lead – ILSS Centre of Excellence for Fundraising, shares how the Centre is strengthening the fundraising ecosystem in the social sector in India.
The Year In Highlights
- Strengthening Fundraising Talent: Graduated 60+ leaders through two cohorts of The ILSS Fundraising Program this year, building vital fundraising capacity across the social sector
- Introducing Innovation in Fundraising: Co-hosted a first-of-its-kind 'AI for Fundraising' masterclass with Resource Alliance, engaging 33 sector professionals
- Network of Fundraising Professionals (NFP): Introduced the NFP as a dedicated knowledge and support network for the fundraising community
- India Fundraising Conference 2025: Convened over 700 participants from 500+ organisations, with 79 speakers and 42 curated learning and networking sessions
- Fostering Alumni Engagement: Engaged the alumni network through virtual learning circles, weekly grant alerts for 10 months, job opportunities, and four curated WhatsApp communities
- The Fundraising Impact Report: Published by the Centre, it highlights the long-term impact of The ILSS Fundraising Program on participant skills and organisational fundraising capacity. Notably, 90% of alumni reported a significant boost in their confidence as fundraisers, and an impressive 97% gained a deeper understanding of the fundraising landscape
The Centre of Excellence for Board and Governance
Strong boards are the backbone of resilient organisations. The Centre bridges two powerful worlds — senior professionals and social purpose organisations — by building leadership and advisory capacity at the top. Through connection, training, and support, it repositions governance as a key driver of sustainable impact in the social sector.
Enabling Effective Boards for Greater Impact
As India channels over ₹1 lakh crore annually into social impact through CSR and philanthropy, the role of social purpose organisations (SPOs) becomes ever more crucial. However, many of these organisations operate without the strategic oversight and governance structures essential for long-term impact. Effective boards and advisory councils are not just support systems. They are strategic assets that can guide vision, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities for growth. The Centre is addressing this critical need by connecting senior leaders with SPOs to build dynamic, mission-aligned boards that create the right balance of support and expertise.
Samina Alam, Lead – ILSS Centre of Excellence for Board and Governance, shares how the Centre is helping build stronger organisations through better leadership, support, and governance.
The Year In Highlights
- The ILSS Board Leadership Program: Conducted two cohorts of the program, comprising senior industry leaders with expertise in governance, branding, strategy, communications, fundraising, and more
- The ILSS Board Governance Program: Held two cohorts, bringing together passionate SPO leaders from sectors such as education, livelihoods, health, and agriculture to reimagine the role of good governance
- Strengthened leadership and team capacity: Welcomed new leadership and built a dedicated team to deepen and expand the Centre’s work
- Built a thriving alumni base: Expanded the community to 119 alumni, creating a strong foundation of committed board professionals
- Enabled strategic advisory connections: Facilitated 20+ meaningful advisory conversations, with 50% resulting in active mentoring or advisory roles in organisations like The Unifly Collective, Adhyayan Foundation, Anant Education Trust, EkTara, Perkins School for the Blind, Anubhuti and others
The Koita Centre for Digital Transformation at ILSS
Digital readiness is key to future-ready impact. The Centre empowers social purpose organisations (SPOs) to harness the potential of digital technologies by building strategic, leadership-driven capacity for transformation.
Bridging Purpose and Technology for a Future-Ready Sector
While 62.5% of organisations in our study indicated having some technology support like cybersecurity, data privacy, and data backups in place, 90% of them still believe that they can benefit from additional technology support (State of the Sector Report on Digital Transformation for Nonprofits in India). The Centre addresses this critical digital gap by equipping SPOs with the knowledge, frameworks, guidance, networks and implementation support to drive crucial digital change. By enabling organisations to use data effectively, streamline operations, and deepen stakeholder engagement, it is helping shape a more agile, impactful social sector.
Anirban Chaudhury, Head – The Koita Centre for Digital Transformation at ILSS, shares how the CoE has been guiding social sector organisations on their digital transformation journeys.
The Year In Highlights
- Launched the Koita Centre for Digital Transformation (KCDT): In partnership with the Koita Foundation, the Centre was established in February 2025 to empower SPOs across India to harness digital technologies for greater impact
- Released The State of the Sector Report on Digital Transformation: Captured insights from 40+ social purpose organisations to assess digital readiness and map future aspirations of the sector
- The ILSS Digital Transformation for Social Impact Program: The inaugural edition delivered over 60 hours of structured learning and 250+ hours of one-on-one mentoring, offering deep, hands-on support to participating SPOs
- Introduced DiTSI, a first-of-its-kind digital resource library: Featured 250+ vetted tools and service providers to support SPOs at every stage of their digital journey
Alumni Engagement and Placements
ILSS nurtures a thriving community of 1000+ leaders from grassroots changemakers to seasoned CXOs, united by a shared commitment to social change.
Fostering Continued Learning and Collective Impact
By fostering collaboration, mentorship, and continued learning across our eight programs, our alumni engagement initiatives empower ILSS alumni to drive collective impact and grow in their leadership journeys.
AlmaConnect, our dedicated online alumni portal, enables our alumni to stay updated and collaborate. From job referrals to sharing resources, the community has become a dynamic and supportive network. Many alumni engage further, serving as guest faculty, hosting field visits, mentoring newer cohorts, raising funds for scholarships, or contributing toward institution-building. The sense of ownership and commitment they bring continues to strengthen ILSS at its core.
Meghna Jaishankar, Lead – Alumni Engagement, shares how ILSS deepened alumni connections through a wide range of meaningful initiatives over the past year.
The Year In Highlights
- Alma Connect: A unified portal for all ILSS alumni was launched to explore mentorship, collaboration, and shared learning, and has already been registered by over 50% of the alumni network
- Alumni engagement across programs: Engaged 332 alumni through diverse collaborative opportunities and community touchpoints
- Alumni as contributors and champions: 100 alumni engaged with ILSS as faculty members, mentors, and outreach champions
- 40+ alumni engagement events organised: Included masterclasses, learning circles, webinars, field visits, program sessions, chapter meetups, and community interactions
- ILSS Alumni Council: Established to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and support for community-led initiatives
- Alumni Chronicles, Edition 1: Captured 25 powerful stories of leadership, transition, and impact from across the alumni network
- Enabled sector placements for alumni: Placed 25 ILSS Leadership Program alumni in full-time and part-time roles with leading organisations like The Nudge Institute, IITB DRF, Piramal Foundation, Janaagraha, Ashoka University, Plaksha and others
ILSS Reports & Publications
From Findings to Field Impact
This year, ILSS released six key publications that reflect our commitment to research, reflection, and sectoral insight. From landscape studies on digital transformation and young leadership, to impact-driven reports and alumni narratives, each publication deepens understanding, captures learning, and amplifies the voices shaping India’s social sector.
The State of the Sector Report on Digital Transformation for Nonprofits in India
A social sector study to better understand the state of digital adoption and needs among nonprofits in India
The Young Leaders for Social Impact Report
Explores the evolving leadership landscape and the crucial role mid-career corporate professionals can play in bridging the leadership gap in the social sector
The ILSS Fundraising Program Impact Study
A comprehensive impact study, surveying 226 alumni to map the influence of the program on the fundraising competencies of the participants and the capacity of their organisations to mobilise resources effectively
IFRC Key Takeaways
Report 2025
Report 2025
A summary of insights, reflections, and actionable learnings from the India Fundraising Conference 2025
A Kind Of Magic — The ILSS Emerging Women’s Leadership Program
Captures the transformative journeys of women empowered through The ILSS Emerging Women’s Leadership Program to lead with purpose, courage, and a feminist ethos
Alumni Chronicles — From Passion to Purpose
A collection of 25 inspiring stories that trace the journeys of ILSS alumni as they transform their passion for meaningful change into impactful leadership across the sector.
Inspired. Informed. In the Spotlight.
ILSS Magazine: Leadership Inspired – Social Impactors for India
The ILSS magazine showcases thought leadership, sector innovations, fresh insights, bold ideas, and real impact from the frontlines of social change. With powerful stories, expert perspectives, and actionable insights, each issue invites readers to engage with the ideas, people, and practices shaping India’s social sector.
ILSS Blogs:
Ideas That Inform
Our blog series is a space for reflection, inquiry, and exploring critical themes such as social sector leadership, fundraising, board governance, digital transformation, and women in leadership. From personal journeys to sector insights, innovations and creative solutions, these thoughtful pieces capture the pulse of change and the realities of the most pressing challenges in India’s social sector.
ILSS News: Making Headlines, Shaping Conversations
From features in leading publications to interviews, event coverage, and a dedicated podcast, ILSS continues to be recognised as a key voice in the evolving narrative of India’s social sector. This media presence highlights how our work, programs, and people resonate beyond the organisation, amplifying our mission and sparking critical conversations around leadership, fundraising, digital transformation, and women in leadership.
Thought Leadership in Action
India Leaders for Social Sector is a Section 8, non-profit company registered as Dor Education Foundation. Registration Number - U80904HR2018NPL075363
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