1 week ago
Priti Adani Calls for Philanthropy That Builds Community Capacity
Priti Adani said charity should do more than run short projects for people.
She believes communities should help lead and continue the work themselves.
This means funding skills, strong organizations and useful systems.
She called this idea “Capital for Capacity.”
She said young people, women and local entrepreneurs are solving problems across India.
These problems include healthcare, clean water, farming, waste and climate change.
She shared the example of Kiran Harinkhede, whose dairy work helped increase her family’s income.
The AVPN conference is bringing together people who fund and organize social change in Asia.
Priti Adani urged philanthropists to invest in institutions, skills and systems instead of short-term programmes.
She described the approach as “Capital for Capacity,” focused on helping communities sustain change independently.
Adani said India has substantial funding for social work, but needs more effective use of that capital.
The AVPN Global Conference 2026 is being held from August 25 to 27 under the theme “A Blueprint for Action in Asia.”
The Adani Foundation says it works across 7,247 villages and urban wards in 22 states, reaching more than 13.3 million people.
- Who
- Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, spoke to funders, investors, policymakers and development leaders.
- What
- She called for philanthropy to build community capacity through institutions, skills, systems and social networks rather than relying mainly on short-term programmes.
- Where
- She spoke at a welcome dinner at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- When
- She spoke on Tuesday; the AVPN Global Conference 2026 is scheduled for August 25 to 27.
- Why
- She argued that stronger institutions and community capabilities allow social programmes to continue and expand after funding cycles end.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation
- Core idea
- “Capital for Capacity,” or investing in institutions, skills and systems
- Conference
- AVPN Global Conference 2026
- Conference dates
- August 25–27
- Conference theme
- “A Blueprint for Action in Asia”
- Adani Foundation reach
- 7,247 villages and urban wards across 22 states
- People reached
- More than 13.3 million people
- Foundation established
- 1996
Quotes
Dr Priti Adani
Chairperson of the Adani Foundation
“Viksit Bharat will not be built by larger budgets alone - it will be built by stronger institutions. India has the ambition. Our communities have the ideas. Our young people have the energy. Our nonprofits have the trust and the reach. Philanthropy must now provide the capacity.”
NDTV
“Philanthropy is not about changing people's lives. It is about giving them the leverage to change their own.”
NDTV
Sources
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