Rotary International has received a landmark philanthropic commitment of Rs 4.5 billion (approximately $50 million) from Bengaluru-based real estate developer Ravishankar Dakoju and his wife, Paola, reinforcing India’s growing role in shaping global philanthropy.
The contribution, announced during Rotary International’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, is among the most significant individual donations disclosed by the organisation in recent years. The couple, both long-standing members of Rotary, have pledged the funds to Rotary International and its charitable arm, the Rotary Foundation. While the organisation has not yet detailed the specific deployment of the funds, the donation is expected to strengthen Rotary’s long-term humanitarian, education, and environmental initiatives worldwide. Dakoju, who serves as an Arch Klumph Society ambassador for Asia, has been closely associated with Rotary’s philanthropic mission for over a decade. The latest commitment builds on a substantial giving history, including a Rs 1.3 billion donation made by the couple in 2018. More recently, they supported the creation of a pooled endowed fund focused on environmental sustainability and education in India, alongside a large-scale afforestation initiative targeting the planting of 10 million saplings across Karnataka. The donation reflects a broader shift among India’s high-net-worth individuals toward structured, institution-led philanthropy with global reach. As India’s real estate and entrepreneurial wealth deepens, philanthropic capital is increasingly being channelled into endowments and long-term funds rather than one-time grants, allowing organisations such as Rotary to scale impact across health, education, water access, and environmental protection.
Speaking at the event, Dakoju described philanthropy as a core life philosophy rather than a financial milestone. He said the couple had long resolved to return a majority of their wealth to society once their personal needs were secured, framing giving as a responsibility rather than a legacy exercise. Rotary, he noted, played a transformative role in shaping his sense of purpose, global citizenship, and community engagement. Rotary International operates in more than 200 countries and territories, mobilising volunteers and donors to address challenges ranging from disease prevention and maternal health to literacy and climate resilience. Large endowment contributions such as the Dakojus’ gift provide financial stability and flexibility, enabling the organisation to plan multi-year interventions and respond to humanitarian crises more effectively.
As global philanthropy increasingly intersects with climate action, education reform, and sustainable development, the donation underscores how Indian donors are emerging as influential players in shaping international charitable priorities.
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