The Convergence Foundation | Catalysing Pivotal Outcomes

The Convergence Foundation seeks to be a powerful catalyst in India’s development journey

Our aim is to transform the lives of all Indians through rapid and sustained economic growth and inclusive development. We want to achieve this by co-creating and nurturing high-impact institutions.

The Growth Compass

We believe that rapid and sustained economic growth is the fulcrum to accelerate all-round development of a nation—the rising tide that lifts all boats. Economic growth is both necessary and sufficient to improve the fundamental aspects of human well-being. Metrics such as access to quality education and improved living standards are closely linked to GDP per capita, making economic growth a powerful driver of material progress. Achieving this, however, demands a multifaceted approach.

Accelerating Economic Growth

Firstly, accelerating economic growth by fostering an attractive investment climate, boosting exports of goods and services, developing cities and regions as growth engines, and advancing science and technology.

Enhancing Human Capital

Secondly, enhancing human capital, with an emphasis on improving education, skilling, labour mobility especially overseas employment, and women’s economic empowerment.

Advancing Development Enablers

Thirdly, advancing development enablers by strengthening institutions of state capacity, building organisations that can catalyse population-scale improvements, and enhancing strategic philanthropy.

Catalysing Pivotal Outcomes

The Convergence Foundation’s strategic worldview is perhaps best represented by Archimedes’ immortal assertion.

“Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world”.

We believe that with a focus on the right levers, we can help deliver outsize impact, unlocking the massive power of India’s state machinery and unleashing its formidable market forces.

Read. Learn. Participate.

Turning Points: How Philanthropists Sparked Systemic Change

Jointly authored by The Convergence Foundation, SCALE, and Accelerate Indian Philanthropy (AIP), with India Impact Sherpas as the knowledge partner, the book profiles a group of remarkable philanthropists — Ajay Piramal, Ajit Isaac, Amit Chandra & Archana Chandra, Avi Nash, Mirik Gogri, Rakesh Mittal, Rizwan Koita & Rekha Koita, Sunil Wadhwani, Swathi Kantamani, Tanvi Bikhchandani, and Vikrant Bhargava. It traces their evolving journey towards Systems Philanthropy, recognising the transformative potential of leveraging government systems for long-lasting population-level social impact. The book highlights the pathways taken by these philanthropists to enable large-scale change.

Live to Give

Live to Give by Rashmi Bansal is a book that chronicles the journeys of philanthropists in India. Through a collection of inspiring stories, it explores the motivations, challenges, and impact of individuals who chose to dedicate their wealth and energy toward creating social change. Blending narrative storytelling with real-world insights, the book captures both the personal journeys of givers and the broader lessons on how philanthropy can shape communities and society at large.

India Inc. for Building Bharat: How Systemic CSR is Building Enduring Impact for Tomorrow

This report documents emerging trends in corporate philanthropy, highlighting the rise of catalytic funding directed to organisations which support governments in strengthening public systems. It analyses 13 CSRs/CSR foundations which have adopted systemic giving models by aligning a proportion of their grantmaking or operating strategy.

State Of Discrimination: Legal barriers on women’s right to choose work in India

In 2022, State of Discrimination Report by Prosperiti found that there are over 250+ laws that discriminate against female job seekers in India. This update to the State of Discrimination Report presents the change in legally-sanctioned discrimination against female job seekers since 2022.

A Field Study on the Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals in Tamil Nadu

This report by the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies offers insights and findings on implementing LSDGs. The study explores key strategies to strengthen grassroots localisation of SDGs, ensuring alignment with Tamil Nadu’s developmental objectives and the 2030 SDG target.

Field Study Report & Action Plan for Improving Housing for the Poor Schemes

The field study report by the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies identifies alternative technologies suitable for Tamil Nadu's housing for the poor schemes. It also presents strategies to promote these technologies and enhance conventional construction practices among beneficiaries, aiming to improve housing quality and affordability.

Time-Use Study of Anganwadi Workers in Andhra Pradesh: Insights for Strengthening Early Childhood Education

This report by the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies explores the daily work patterns of Anganwadi Workers across 21 centers. It highlights challenges like limited time for ECCE, overburdened duties, and collaboration gaps. The study offers practical recommendations to improve training, infrastructure, and stakeholder coordination, aiming to enhance early childhood education and provide a stronger foundation for India’s youngest learners.

Vivid Landscapes: Village Immersion Program

This report by Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies is a compilation of field study reports by fellows assigned to villages across India. Capturing grassroots realities, it highlights socio-economic conditions, cultural insights, and development challenges. This book serves as a valuable resource, offering firsthand narratives and data-driven observations that contribute to rural policy discussions, fostering deeper engagement in education, healthcare, and livelihood enhancement across diverse communities.

In the Media

We are looking to collaborate on overseas employment and tourism.

Govt-TCF ink 3-yr deal for economic growth

In a move to accelerate the state's development trajectory, the Bihar government's planning and development department has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with The Convergence Foundation (TCF), a prominent philanthropic organisation dedicated to fostering economic growth across India.

Government partners with TCF to boost development in state

Bihar’s planning and development department has joined forces with The Convergence Foundation in a strategic three-year venture designed to supercharge the state's economic progress. This volunteer-driven initiative will prioritize investments, bolster regional development, boost tourism, and enhance the effectiveness of government programs.

Bihar Government, The Convergence Foundation Launch Three-Year Strategic Partnership for Statewide Development

The collaboration, formalised in the presence of Chief Secretary Pratyay Amrit, aims to boost investment, tourism, governance reforms and human capital through policy and strategy support.

Bihar Government Signs Three-Year Strategic Partnership with TCF to Boost State Development

Bihar partners with The Convergence Foundation to drive investment, tourism, and human capital development over three years.

'Al will reshape jobs, not replace them'

At panel discussions during the TOl Ideas for India summit, experts call for wider insurance reach, balancing regional growth, and wider Al adoption.

'Cut out the red tape, roll out the red carpet'

India must create highly productive jobs, accelerate AI adoption across sectors, and spread economic growth beyond a few states if it wants to meet its 2047 targets, a panel of experts said at the summit.

Interview: Ashish Dhawan of TCF on India’s CSR growth, education innovations, and building enduring impact

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India is projected to reach ₹1.25 lakh crore annually by 2035. Founder-CEO of TCF, Ashish Dhawan, discusses how this evolution requires CEO commitment and a systemic approach to drive meaningful impact, reshaping India's philanthropic landscape.

India sitting at Rs 1.2 lakh crore CSR potential

This presents a historic opportunity to reimagine CSR as investment capital to drive systemic change.

India Inc. beginning to use CSR funds as force multiplier to build ecosystems for enduring social impact

Such systemic giving models are creating non-linear impact by using approaches which design proof-points for scale, build ecosystems and capacities, and develop public goods or technology platforms, says a new report.

CSR spending in India to triple, touch ₹1.2 lakh crore by 2035: Convergence Foundation’s Ashish Dhawan

Ashish Dhawan of The Convergence Foundation said CSR is moving beyond a compliance exercise, with corporates showing greater leadership commitment and focus on measurable impact in areas such as education, skilling and healthcare.

TUNE IN. LEVEL UP.

In The Spotlight

India needs to grow its GDP 8x by 2047. That's not rhetoric. That's the math behind Viksit Bharat. The Convergence Foundation has brought together some of India's sharpest minds — including Vini Mahajan, Amitabh Kant, Manish Sabharwal, and Sanjeev Bikhchandani — to do exactly that.

Mission Economic Growth is a video series on the reform levers that matter most: manufacturing, skilling, labour mobility, tourism, and more. Real gaps and a point of view on what moves the needle. Watch the teaser now!

The Alliance of Growth

Government Partnerships

The TCF network operates across 13+ states, focusing on key areas such as education, exports, ease of doing business, science and technology, tourism, textiles, and more.

Philanthropic Partnerships

The TCF network collaborates with philanthropists, institutions, CSR, and corporate foundations to build and enable pioneering organisations dedicated to driving systemic change.

Impact Ecosystem

25 Organisations. One Aim.
To be a powerful catalyst in India’s development journey.