On Saturday, 19 September, a cohort of 50 social sector professionals came together virtually to kick-off the first edition of the ILSS Fundraising Program. Launched officially in July of this year, the ILSS Fundraising Program has been a year in the making, designed through in-depth sector research and consultation with leaders in the field. The Program participants, who took the time to share their stories and learning goals with each other, come from a wide and dynamic range of organizations from all over the country. Representing domains of impact including agriculture, sport, disability, hunger relief, education, skill-building, livelihoods, amongst others, participants will certainly serve as a source of knowledge, connection, and inspiration for one another.

On Orientation Day, Anu Prasad, our founder welcomed the cohort, sharing ILSS’s founding vision of building capacity in the sector, as well as the organization’s story so far. She also highlighted elements of the Program that make it the first of its kind in India and a potential gamechanger for the country’s fundraising ecosystem. ILSS was honoured to host Archana and Amit Chandra as special guests for the Orientation Day, who reflected on their years of experience, the need for such a program, and their vision for good fundraising in India. They also talked about their vision behind the ATECF Scholars Program, which supports five talented social sector professionals through the ILSS Fundraising Program.

Participants also had the chance to review the myriad tools of engagement available to them through the Program. Through the next five months of blended learning, participants will not only have comprehensive classwork through live sessions, exclusively recorded lectures, and periodic assessments, but also the guidance of a dedicated Program Mentor. Assigned to a small “mentee group” of 2-4 participants, these senior development leaders offer their rich experience and expertise to advise participants for the duration of the Program. Connections will also be sustained through one year of complimentary membership to the Network of Fundraising Professionals, a new idea-exchange platform for social sector fundraisers from across the country.

We at ILSS are privileged to facilitate the next five months of learning, dialogue, and connection.

Know more about the ILSS Fundraising Program