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AIF raises $3.8M at New York Gala
The fundraiser marked the nonprofit's 25th anniversary and supported its programs in health, education and livelihoods across India.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 12, Jun 2026
- 17:28 EDT
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From left to right: Leo Salom, President & CEO, TD Bank US; Harit Talwar, Global Board Co-Chair, AIF, and Board Member, Mastercard and Infostretch; Kalpana Kanthan, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, AIF; Bharat Masrani, Retired CEO, TD Bank Group; Salil Parekh, CEO & MD, Infosys; Sarthak Pattanaik, Chief Data & AI Officer, BNY; Rohit Kapoor, Global Board Member, AIF, and Chairman and CEO, EXL; Jayant Tambe, Global Board Member, AIF, and Partner, Jones Day / American India Foundation (AIF)
The American India Foundation (AIF) raised a record $3.8 million at its annual New York Gala on June 9, as the nonprofit marked 25 years of operations and social impact initiatives in India.
The event, held at Cipriani Wall Street, drew around 600 attendees and generated more than $1 million through the evening's pledge drive, including a leadership pledge of $300,000 from AIF Global Board member Saira Lal.
Also Read: AIF Bay Area gala raises $2.6M
The organization said the funds will support its programs in public health, education and livelihoods, which have reached more than 23 million people across 35 states and union territories since 2001.
The gala honored Bharat Masrani, retired chief executive officer of TD Bank Group; Salil Parekh, chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys; and financial services firm BNY for their contributions to business, civic leadership and philanthropy.
Speaking at the event, Masrani said, "We all had someone in our lives who believed in us… Someone who looked at us and saw–not what we were at that moment, but what we could become. AIF's mission makes this possible for millions, and it's why we are all here tonight."
Parekh said he was "deeply honored" by the recognition from AIF and highlighted the role of technology in expanding opportunities. "Over the past 25 years, AIF has transformed countless lives by creating opportunities where they are needed most. Infosys and I are proud to be part of this journey," he said.
Accepting the corporate award on behalf of BNY, chief data and AI officer Sarthak Pattanaik said technology could help address longstanding socio-economic barriers. "BNY supports AIF at its own historic moment, leveraging 25 years of service and partnership for a tomorrow we can truly be proud of," he said.
AIF chief executive officer Nishant Pandey said the organization's achievements reflected the strength of partnerships across sectors and communities.
"AIF at 25 shows that enduring impact is possible when people come together across borders, sectors, and communities," Pandey said. "Our success is driven by visionary philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and the ability to scale."
The event featured comedian and former venture capitalist Dhaya Lakshminarayanan as host, performances by the Young People's Chorus of New York City, and a virtual reality showcase of AIF's Learning and Migration Program. Presenting sponsors included BNY, Goldman Sachs Gives and TD Bank.
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