Representative Image. / Canva

As India celebrates 79 years of independence, philanthropy among the Indian diaspora abroad is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. No longer just the domain of billionaires building legacy institutions or retirees looking to give back, private philanthropy is becoming habitual, innovative, inclusive, and deeply strategic. From suburban living rooms to boardrooms, a new generation of Indian Americans is reshaping what it means to give—to India, to each other, and the world.

Giving as a Habit, Not a Capstone

Historically, philanthropy was commonly something to be considered after achieving a certain level of financial success—a legacy act, often tied to religion, institutions, or crisis relief. Today, however, younger Indian Americans, raised as the most affluent minority in the U.S., are breaking free from that narrative. For them, giving isn't a capstone; it's a habit and a chance to bring social change and align the world with their values right now.

From growing up in a culture of monthly donations, workplace giving programs, service resumes, and volunteering initiatives, philanthropy is woven into their daily lives. This shift is not just about frequency—it reflects a deeper alignment of identity and global responsibility, fueled by a heightened sense of awareness in our digital world. 

In 2023 alone, Indian Americans donated an estimated $1.5 billion to various causes, driving change across all aspects of society. But to sustain this movement and ensure that a meaningful part of it is focused on Indian, it is vital to engage the next generation early. Many Indian American youth feel culturally connected to India, yet their charitable instincts often veer toward global pop culture causes. Introducing them to grassroots organizations tackling India's systemic challenges—through immersive experiences, storytelling, and service learning—can anchor their empathy to their roots and turn giving to Indian causes into a lifelong practice. 

Coalitions like India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), which vets organizations for inclusion in its annual India Giving Day campaign that have proven solutions for tackling the full spectrum of India's systemic challenges, are enabling this exposure by making giving accessible, transparent, and impactful for Indians abroad.

The Quest for Transformational Impact

A second shift underway is the move from transactional charity to transformational impact. While supporting school fees, meals, and emergency relief remains important, Indian American donors are applying their analytical skills to philanthropy and asking a different set of questions: What are the root causes of India's problems? In what ways can my philanthropy be catalytic? How can I trigger a multiplier effect to drive systemic change?

This has given rise to a new era of giving—one that blends the ancient Indian ethos of daan and seva with modern for-profit frameworks like innovation incubators, leadership development programs, and impact investing. It has propelled forward models like the Teach For India (TFI) Fellowship, where founder Shaheen Mistry firmly believes that "systems change when leaders do." The Fellowship empowers India's brightest young professionals to spend two years working full-time in low-income classrooms—transforming student outcomes, honing their leadership skills, and gaining a deep, first-hand understanding of community challenges. In turn, TFI Fellows form a vital talent pipeline for India's low-income education sector—leading over 160 social impact organizations and reaching 50 million children with just 5,000 alumni—a multiplier effect reminiscent of top professional networks where investing in a few transforms the many. 

TFI is not alone in bringing cutting-edge thinking and models to confront the challenges of education and skill development in India; Aarti for Girls, Agastya Foundation, Akanksha Foundation, AIF, Akshaya Patra, Children's Hope India, Foundation for Excellence, Pratham, and Sehgal Foundation are also addressing these needs in innovative and effective ways.   

The Quiet Revolution: The Rise of the Female Philanthropists

Perhaps the most overlooked transformation is the growing power and presence of Indian American women in philanthropy. Once perceived as secondary actors in family giving, women are now emerging as primary decision-makers, funders, and thought leaders.

From technology and investment executives to doctors, and from educators to entrepreneurs, Indian American women are not only contributing financially, but they are also shaping strategy, governance, and storytelling in the causes they champion. Their giving patterns often emphasize collaboration, community, and long-term systems change—prioritizing education, health, gender equity, and leadership development.

This shift is also reframing generational giving. As daughters, mothers, and grandmothers engage across philanthropic ecosystems, they're planting seeds of empathy and responsibility across age groups. They are redefining who gives, why they give, and what lasting impact looks like.

As the Indian diaspora continues to mature, so too will its philanthropic footprint. But the most exciting development is not just the size of the checks being written—it's about who is giving, how they are giving, and why. This is a generation of givers who don't want their names on buildings; they want their values to ripple across time.

To realize the full potential of a truly independent India, we must tap into this quiet revolution, nurture its momentum, and build a new philanthropic paradigm—one that is habitual, innovative, global, and deeply rooted in purpose. 

 

 

Neha Gupta is the Executive Director of Teach For India U.S. and serves on the boards of public and private organizations spanning education, technology, and youth development. 

Alex Counts is the Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance, the author of four books (including his acclaimed midlife memoir Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind), and an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Previously, he established Grameen Foundation in 1997 and served as its CEO for 18 years.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)