Prashant Pal’s Post

A very relevant article by Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation & well summarised by Viswanaathan R. Sir. The journey of an NGO is extremely tough, taking many arrows in a day, managing various stakeholders right from the funder, government officials, permits and so many compliances. Funders should be sensitive of this & offer the best support make the projects efficient. As rightly mentioned in the article, funders should not realize that the association is a T20 cricket game- A) You cannot get immediate results. Social issues are far more complex than a cricket game, responses are unpredictable, uncontrollable factors & the interactions between factors are infinitely complex. B) Funders should not push for numbers. This is because of ignorance or underestimation of the fact that social-human interventions do not scale in industrial mode. They must worked upon person by person, context by context C) Funders should support projects for a long term impact by associating their support otherwise many initiatives are shut down due to short frame association. Even the surface of social issues cannot be scratched within such time frames D) Do not micromanage small deliverables. Be flexible in your approach, this keeps the association strong E) Each NGO runs with some employees just like any other organisation. If this is not sustained, the funders cannot be assured of the impact of the project. They need to have an open mindset of supporting onground resources. Hope we are able to sensitize many funders through these learning’s & make NGOs more impactful. They need to value the immense hardwork and the challenges which every NGO faces on a daily basis trying to address social issues & make the society more equitable. #NGOs #Changemakers #makefundinginclusive #sustainable #longtermimpact

An insightful read by Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation, highlights a critical issue in the development sector: unrealistic performance expectations are pushing NGOs toward superficial, short-term goals rather than deep, impactful change. Many NGOs are now being forced to chase quick results, focusing on numbers over authenticity and long-term transformation. Truly said - social change is complex and cannot be compared to a quick T20 cricket match. It requires sustained effort, patience, and an understanding of the intricate, interconnected issues faced by communities. It's time for all stakeholders in the NGO and also CSR heads as a ecosystem to rethink their approach. Real change, like sustainable social impact, doesn’t come overnight—it takes time, dedication, and continuous effort. #SocialImpact #SustainableChange #NGOs #LongTermImpact #Funders #AuthenticityMatters #CommunityDevelopment

Thank you for sharing this. What’s even more concerning is how these pressures drive NGOs to portray superficial achievements through flashy campaigns and webinars. Many organisations, both NGOs and for-profits, are increasingly engaged in self-congratulatory practices, with experts, scientists, and stakeholders talking among themselves in closed circles, taking credit, and crafting narratives that align with funding opportunities rather than ground realities. These activities create an echo chamber where the voices of the actual beneficiaries, the people on the ground, are drowned out…. Funders must exercise caution in how and to whom they distribute funds. It’s imperative that they critically evaluate the authenticity of the work being presented to them. Most of these organisations fail to work in solidarity with the everyday struggles of the commons fighting real battles on the ground. For instance, publishing articles on urban heat islands and discussing them in exclusive webinars achieves little unless there is tangible support for grassroots efforts that directly address these issues. The role of independent media and dedicated journalists is quite vital in this context. They are often the ones who go beyond the surface, providing crucial reports that reflect the actual situation on the ground. Funders should prioritise these ground-level insights through published news, when deciding where to allocate their resources. It’s not enough to fund projects that sound good on paper; the real measure of impact is the positive change experienced by those who need it the most. #cleanairforall #warriormoms #climateaction Joan Lombardi Christa Hasenkopf Climate Breakthrough Jane Burston Jill Kubit Maya Mailer Sarah Roberts USAID SED Fund Rainmatter Foundation Azim Premji Foundation India Climate Collaborative Tata Trusts HCL Foundation

Anurag Behar’s article underscores a critical issue: the unrealistic performance demands placed on Indian NGOs. I completely agree with his view that NGOs need to focus on deep, sustainable solutions rather than short-term, project-based outcomes. Simply working on a cause for 1-2 years or in a specific geography often only scratches the surface of the problem. We need solutions that address issues on a larger scale without compromising on quality. Prioritizing numbers over depth will not lead to meaningful, long-term impact.

Thought provoking article by Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation Anurag Behar critiques funders' unrealistic performance demands on Indian #NGOs, highlighting their limited understanding of social complexities. These demands harm NGO authenticity and rigor, pushing them towards superficiality, similar to T20 cricket pressures. He emphasizes adopting a realistic, supportive approach to enable NGOs to focus on sustainable, long-term impact and urges a shift in funding strategies to align with social realities. Key Points 1. Scale (Push for Greater Numbers): Funders often expect NGOs to achieve large-scale impact quickly, leading to a focus on geographic expansion and numerical targets. This emphasis on scale over quality can dilute the effectiveness and authenticity of NGOs' work. 2. Definitive Visible Changes: The demand for visible and immediate outcomes forces NGOs to concentrate on superficial indicators of success. This focus on short-term, easily measurable results can undermine the depth and sustainability of their interventions. 3. Demand for Speed: Funders often require rapid results, creating pressure on NGOs to deliver quick fixes rather than addressing the root causes of social issues. This need for speed can result in a "fake-flake" approach, where efforts appear successful on the surface but lack substance. 4. Sustainability of Impact: There is a crucial need for funders to support the long-term sustainability of NGO initiatives. Genuine social change requires ongoing effort and time, and short-term funding cycles can hinder the development of lasting solutions. https://lnkd.in/gTDpSKej #philanthropy #insights #socialImpact #CSR #CorporateSocialResponsibility

Worth investing our time in understanding this.

How Asian philanthropies achieve high impact? 🌏 Philanthropy in Asia is undergoing a transformative phase, with organizations leveraging technology, localized strategies, and impactful collaborations to address critical societal challenges. From education and healthcare to climate action and poverty alleviation, these efforts are creating measurable and meaningful change. A recent Forbes India article, inspired by insights from a report by The Bridgespan Group, delves into how Asian philanthropies are achieving significant impact through innovation and accountability. This insightful read highlights the role of partnerships and region-specific approaches in enhancing the effectiveness of these initiatives. The Shiv Nadar Foundation has spent the past three decades investing more than US$1.2 billion to build primary, secondary, and higher education institutions across India to ensure that quality education bridges the country’s socio-economic divide. “We invest deep rather than wide to change the trajectory of individuals’ lives,” says Roshni Nadar Malhotra, a foundation trustee. As someone deeply inspired by purposeful actions, I believe we can all draw lessons from these stories to create more equitable and sustainable communities. 👉 Read the full article here: https://okt.to/qvfyM9 💡 Let's discuss! How do you think technology and collaboration can reshape philanthropy in the coming years? Share your thoughts in the comments. #HCLTech #HCLFoundation #ShivNadarFoundation #VidyaGyan #Philanthropy #Innovation #TechnologyForGood #Sustainability #EducationForAll #ForbesIndia

*Thank you, Anurag Behar, for shedding light on this crucial issue.* As someone deeply involved in the NGO sector, I couldn't agree more with the points you've raised. The push for quick, measurable outcomes often overshadows the need for long-term, sustainable change, which is the true essence of our work. The analogy of comparing NGO work to a T20 cricket game is spot on—social impact cannot be rushed or reduced to mere statistics. Authenticity and rigor must remain at the forefront of our efforts, and it’s essential for funders to understand that genuine progress takes time. The complexities we face in addressing social issues demand patience, persistence, and a deeper understanding of the communities we serve. I hope this message resonates with more funders, encouraging them to support NGOs in ways that allow for meaningful, lasting impact rather than short-term, superficial gains. Thank you again for bringing this important conversation to the forefront.

It is not that we don’t have an example or model to follow. Just look at Saudi Arabia, which, under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is transforming the conservative mindset to produce a vibrant and progressive society. That’s why social change was considered a prerequisite for economic progress as the Saudis executed Vision 2030 to make the Kingdom a global hub for investment, trade, and manufacturing. #EconomicGrowth #GenderEquality #YouthUnemployment #SaudiArabia #MohammedBinSalman #Vision2030

I came across an insightful article by Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation , that really resonated with me. It challenges the current trend of placing unrealistic demands on NGOs, comparing it to expecting an IPL team to score 260 runs in every match, regardless of conditions. In the race for quick wins and visible results, many NGOs are being pushed towards superficiality, often at the expense of authenticity and deep, meaningful impact. This pressure to perform according to funders' expectations is shifting the landscape of social work, making it more about numbers than about the true, sustained change we all aim for. Anurag Behar's message is clear: Social issues are complex, multifaceted, and require patience, persistence, and deep understanding. We need to rethink how we measure success in the social sector. It's time for funders to reflect on their expectations and support NGOs in a way that values depth over breadth, quality over quantity, and sustainability over short-term gains. Let's support genuine change over superficial fixes. #qualityoverquantity #socialsectorneedschange #SociaImpact #NGOs #SustainableDevelopment #Leadership #SocialChange