In a first-of-its-kind acknowledgement of India's philanthropic leadership, TIME magazine has released its first-ever "TIME100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy" list for 2025, with Indian business moguls Mukesh and Nita Ambani and former Wipro chairman Azim Premji taking notable positions. The list honors global change-makers who are transforming communities through courageous giving, pioneering programmes, and a sustained commitment to social good.
Key Highlights
Ambani Couple Among Top Donors
Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani were recognized for their work in bringing positive change to India through philanthropy.
The Ambanis gave away ₹407 crore (approximately $48 million) in 2024 alone, making them among India's largest donors.
Their charitable endeavors cover the areas of education, healthcare, rural development, disaster relief, women's empowerment, and sport.
The Reliance Foundation, led by Nita Ambani, has impacted millions by funding scholarships, building hospitals, supporting sustainable agriculture, and promoting clean water initiatives.
Nita Ambani is also recognised for championing women in sports, especially through her leadership of the Mumbai Indians IPL team and grassroots athlete development programmes.
Azim Premji’s Lifelong Commitment to Education
Azim Premji, featured in the 'Titans' category, has defined the Indian philanthropic trend with his emphasis on social development and public education.
Premji has given away more than $29 billion to his foundation, built on the principle of wealth as a public trust propagated by Mahatma Gandhi.
The Azim Premji Foundation has 59 field offices and 263 teacher learning centres, directly serving more than 8 million children and thousands of teachers.
Initiatives include building a third campus for Azim Premji University, scholarships for college-bound girls, and establishing over 480 child-care centres for young children.
Premji’s foundation also plays a significant role in education policy advocacy and curriculum development in India.
Other Indians on the List
Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, was awarded in the 'Trailblazers' list for his efforts towards climate action and education via the Rainmatter Foundation and the Young India Philanthropic Pledge (YIPP).
Global Philanthropy Leaders
The list also includes global icons like David Beckham (children's advocacy), Michael Bloomberg (biggest donor of 2024), Oprah Winfrey (women's education), Melinda French Gates (women and family well-being), and Warren Buffett (new-age philanthropy).
The Broader Context
TIME's new philanthropy list is an expansion of its powerful TIME100 franchise, highlighting those who are leveraging private wealth to help solve public problems—particularly as governments and international institutions retreat. The editor's team, which was led by Ayesha Javed, put a big emphasis on the fact that philanthropy is increasingly stepping in where retiring public funding and institutions have left gaps.
Impact and Legacy
The Ambani couple’s and Premji’s inclusion signals a new era of Indian leadership in global philanthropy, with their efforts not only transforming lives domestically but also setting standards for giving worldwide.
Their recognition underscores the growing importance of strategic, large-scale philanthropy in tackling education, health, and social equity challenges.
As India's philanthropic pioneers receive international recognition, their sustained commitment is likely to inspire a new generation of social entrepreneurs and donors throughout the country and the world.
Source: Business Standard, Economic Times, India TV News, Business Today, India News Network
