Rajesh Bhattacharjee (India)
General Manager, Azim Premji Philanthropic InitiativesAnon-profit fundraiser for over two decades; provided fundraising and senior management leadership to top charities like Amnesty, Care and Room to Read.
As the first fundraising director of Amnesty in India, he went on to create a fundraising team of around 120 people and acquired over 95,000 donors in the first 4 years of operation. This was critical for sustainability of the organisation and establish local legitimacy. Amnesty ultimately cemented its India operation after 5 past unsuccessful attempts since 1970. Rajesh was also a part of the global fundraising management team of Amnesty International, which was central to global fundraising strategy and growth plan for the movement on the whole. Also established fundraising operations of Room to Read in India, one of the top most corporate and institutional fundraising charity in India in terms of revenue and conversion.
Studied Masters of Anthropology at Cotton College, Guwahati University, India. At his personal level, he spends a lot of time providing pro bono services to various charities and other organisations; primarily around fundraising strategy, plans, eco system and systemic improvement. He also seats at the Board of an organisation at Delhi called Dwaresh; a story telling organisation around historical walk.
Currently, Rajesh works with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) at Bengaluru, India. Azim Premji is the top most philanthropist in India in terms of giving. As part of the senior management team at APPI, Rajesh helps small and mid- level organisations to scale up through strategic investments in fundraising and organisation development.