State of Indian philanthropy - 2011

ARPAN SHETH and MADHUR SINGHAL of Bain & Company claim that the entire philanthropy ecosystem consisting of donors, support networks and grassroots organisations had expanded dramatically over the past five years. 
In their report, "India Philanthropy Report 2011", based on interviews with philanthropists and experts on philanthropy in India they state that private charitable giving now represented about 0.3-0.4% of the GDP, a growth of 50% since 2006 backed by a surge in the population of high net-worth individuals, expansion of the scale of support networks and change in attitudes about giving as well as increasing awareness.
They outline four key areas to enhance private philanthropy: 
1. Enhanced accountability and transparency throughout the giving chain;
2. Professional NGOs with strong financial planning and operational skills;
3. Continued promotion of a culture of giving;
4. Collaboration with the government on adoption of more philanthropy-friendly policies.

Growing private Indian philanthropy

ARPAN SHETH of Bain & Company analyzes the state of Indian philanthropy in comparison with other countres arguing that there existed potential for greater philanthropy among wealthier Indians whose relatively recent wealth accumulation, blurring between personal and corporate donations and underdeveloped donation support networks led to lower individual philanthropy. In a lecture "An Overview of Philanthropy in India", at the Indian Philanthropy Forum, he recommends modifications to the legal and taxation framework that hindered growth and operation of non-profits in India and calls upon non-profits to increase transparency, professionalism and effectiveness.