In 2024, these five philanthropists collectively donated an impressive Rs 32,501 crore, showcasing the transformative power of generosity in shaping India’s future.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): India is home to many extraordinary philanthropists whose generosity has made a global impact. From supporting education and healthcare to empowering marginalised communities, these five individuals left a mark with their extraordinary endowments in 2024. Their selfless contributions highlight the power of giving to transform lives and inspire positive change worldwide.
Late Ratan Tata
Late Ratan Naval Tata who passed away on Oct 9, 2024, left his Rs 10,000 crore wealth to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation. He also willed a share of his donation to his butler, cook of 30 years, and even his dog. According to the latest Hurun India rich list released in August 2024, the late Tata was ranked 350th amongst the richest Indians with a net worth of Rs 7,900 crore. Apart from his family, the country’s greatest philanthropist left some amount for his household staff as well. In his will, he also waived off his assistant Shantanu Naidu’s education loan, and relinquished his investment in Naidu’s startup.
Abhishek Lodha
This Diwali, the owners / promoters of one of India’s largest real estate companies – Lodha Group, Abhishek Lodha and family, transferred a significant part of their shareholding in the listed company, Macrotech Developers Ltd. (Lodha / MDL), to Lodha Philanthropy Foundation (LPF). LPF is a non-profit organisation that uses all its income and assets solely for national and social upliftment causes. LPF will have an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore (US$2.5 billion) and its current initiatives include Lodha Unnati, Lodha Genius Programme,Lodha-RMI Net Zero Accelerator, among others. LPF focuses on four key areas –  women, children, environment, and Indian culture.
Shiv Nadar
Founder and chairman of HCL Technologies Ltd, Shiv Nadar has topped the Edelgive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 with an annual donation of Rs. 2,153 crore (Rs. 5.9 crore per day) in 2023-24. His foundation called the Shiv Nadar Foundation emphasises on tech and education driven initiatives. This year, the foundation inaugurated the Shiv Nadar School of Law in Chennai on Shiv Nadar University Campus. Through its Vidya Gyan initiative, it helps offer quality education to kids from the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh.
Krishna Chivukula
IIT-Madras Alumnus DR Krishna Chivukula made a single-largest donation of Rs 228 crore this year to his alma mater, 53 years after completing his MTech in aerospace engineering. Dr. Chivukula is the owner and Chairman of Board of Directors of INDO US MIM TEC Private Limited; Shiva Analyticals (India) Private Limited, Bangalore; Shiva Analyticals Private Limited- Tanzania; and Advanced Analytical Testing Laboratories, Inc, Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of Bangalore Baptist Hospital. His generous donation helped him secure a spot among the top donors this year.
Nikhil Kamath
Zerodha co-founder became the youngest philanthropists in Hurun India Philanthrophy list 2024 with a donation of Rs 120 crore to Rainmatter Foundation that works for climate change and sustainability. Also, the youngest Indian to be a part of the Bill Gates and Warren Buffet- founded The Giving Pledge, Kamath, 38, runs Young Indian Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP) that collaborates with startups to donate for charitable causes.
Coming 2025 let’s hope to see more new names in the world of philanthropy and more generous donations that could help build a better India.
Key Facts: Top 5 Indian Philanthropists Who Made a Difference in 2024
| Late Ratan Tata | Donated Rs 10,000 crore to Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation. Also supported staff and personal causes. | Rs 10,000 crore |
| Abhishek Lodha | Transferred significant shares of Macrotech Developers Ltd. to Lodha Philanthropy Foundation. LPF focuses on women, children, environment, and Indian culture. | Rs 20,000 crore corpus |
| Shiv Nadar | Donated Rs 2,153 crore through Shiv Nadar Foundation. Inaugurated Shiv Nadar School of Law in Chennai. | Rs 2,153 crore (Rs 5.9 crore/day) |
| Dr. Krishna Chivukula | Donated Rs 228 crore to IIT-Madras for education and research initiatives. | Rs 228 crore |
| Nikhil Kamath | Donated Rs 120 crore to Rainmatter Foundation for climate change and sustainability. | Rs 120 crore |
Total Contributions: Rs 32,501 crore
These extraordinary contributions showcase the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change and inspire a better future.
(India CSR)
