Dallas Gathering Highlights Maturing U.S.-India Philanthropy Corridor
India-West News Desk
DALLAS, TX-More than 160 leaders from the U.S.-India philanthropy community gathered in Dallas on September 28-29 to discuss ways to strengthen charitable giving, build nonprofit capacity and support causes in both countries.
Organized by Indiaspora and the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), the annual summit called for a more strategic approach to philanthropy. In a communiqué issued on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, the organizations said giving to causes in the United States, India and across borders should be viewed as complementary rather than competing efforts.
The statement called for protecting civil society organizations and their ability to serve communities. It also condemned attacks against Indian Americans and other immigrant groups based on ethnicity, culture or religion.
The communiqué highlighted the need for India-focused nonprofits in the United States to invest more in fundraising and organizational resources. While these groups have made effective use of volunteers, many have underinvested in the staff needed to expand their work.
Rohit Menezes of the Bridgespan Group stressed the importance of recruiting, training and supporting major gift officers. “It takes money to generate revenue,” he said. Participants also discussed involving younger people and professionals in philanthropy and making charitable giving more accessible to new donors. Dasra’s India Philanthropy Forum was cited as part of wider efforts to strengthen the sector.
Health and development were also priorities. Participants discussed preventing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in India and among Indian Americans and expressed support for the Menlo Park Declaration, spurred by Arogya World. The communiqué also linked philanthropic efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat vision.
The summit highlighted community initiatives including Hunger Mitao, co-founded by Raj and Anna Asava to address food insecurity across the United States, and Philanthropy Kids, led by Amit Banerjee. India Philanthropy Alliance board members Sejal Desai and Ushree Roy were also recognized.
Opening keynote speaker Anurag Jain discussed the value of giving, drawing on religious texts. At a welcome dinner at the University of Texas at Dallas on September 28, Satish Gupta called for improving society in the United States and India and opposing anti-Indian hate.
Neha Gupta, executive director of Teach For India U.S. and the first recipient of the Deepak Raj Rising Star Award, urged attendees to consider what they need for a comfortable life and devote what remains to serving others. Dr. Kadhir Rajagopal, founder of Miracle University, discussed an approach to America’s dropout crisis that he said could be expanded nationally with sufficient support.
The University of Texas at Dallas hosted the symposium and welcome dinner, while Communities Foundation of Texas hosted the summit. Sponsors included the Sehgal Foundation, Aatmic Philanthropy, Gupta Agarwal Charitable Fund, Myriad USA and Windmill Craftworks.
