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Studying Generosity: Why Philanthropy Research Matters
Indiaspora, in partnership with the India Philanthropy Alliance and Dalberg Advisors, is conducting a new survey on Indian American attitudes toward philanthropic giving and nonprofit volunteering.
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Shoba Viswanathan - Thu, 01, May 2025
- 23:24 EDT
- 1134
Representative Image. / Pexels
Understanding how and why people give is key to shaping impactful social change. For Indian Americans—one of the most successful and civically engaged diaspora communities—philanthropy is a growing force. To deepen understanding of this trend, Indiaspora, in partnership with the India Philanthropy Alliance and Dalberg Advisors, is conducting a new survey on Indian American attitudes toward philanthropic giving and nonprofit volunteering.
This timely survey—available here—is part of Indiaspora’s broader commitment to advancing philanthropy through evidence-based analytics. It invites Indian Americans nationwide to share their perspectives on giving, volunteering, and community engagement. The goal is to better understand how this dynamic community contributes to causes, both in the U.S. and in India, and what might unlock even greater participation.
Building on Past Research
This initiative builds on Indiaspora’s foundational 2018 study, "Indian American Community Engagement Survey", produced in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors. That survey was one of the first comprehensive assessments of the Indian diaspora’s giving behavior and explored motivations, barriers, and philanthropic preferences among Indian Americans. It found that while Indian Americans are deeply committed to giving, many seek more structure, transparency, and strategic tools to guide their philanthropy.
Since then, Indiaspora has expanded its research agenda to cover a broader spectrum of diaspora impact. In 2022, in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, Indiaspora released the "Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons: The Indian Diaspora in the United States", which detailed Indian American contributions across six key domains, including philanthropy. The report underscored the financial and social capital Indian Americans invest in education, healthcare, social justice, and more—both at home and abroad.
Why Philanthropy Research Matters
For Indiaspora, philanthropy is not only about generosity; it is about insight and intentionality. By investing in high-quality independent research, the organization ensures that its programs, partnerships, and convenings are informed by real-world data. This research also serves as a resource for donors, nonprofits, media, and policymakers who are shaping the future of Indian American giving.
The current survey aims to update and deepen this understanding, especially as the philanthropic landscape has evolved significantly in the past five years. From the effects of COVID-19 to new forms of giving—like donor-advised funds and impact investing—Indian American philanthropists are operating in a more complex and connected world.
Help Us Shape the Next Chapter
Your input and support are essential. If you are part of an organization, please help us share this survey within your networks. If you are an individual donor or volunteer, we invite you to take 15 minutes to complete the survey and share your voice.
This research will contribute to a growing knowledge base that informs not just how we give—but how we give better, together.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8L5B6SK
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)
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