Record Pledge Drive Fuels AIF’s $2.4M Bay Area Fundraiser
India-West Staff Reporter
REDWOOD CITY, CA –The American India Foundation (AIF) Bay Area Chapter’s annual gala, a glittering event held at the Fox Theatre and Courthouse Square, successfully raised over $2.4 million to further the organization’s vital work in India. The evening of philanthropy reached a crescendo during its Pledge Drive, which alone generated a record-breaking $1 million.
These funds will be directly channeled into AIF’s mission to improve the lives of India’s most underserved communities, supporting initiatives aimed at creating sustainable and meaningful change, the organization said.
The gala, which took place on April 19, served as a platform to honor two exceptional leaders: Anu Bharadwaj, the President of Atlassian, and Charles H. Giancarlo, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pure Storage, for their exemplary contributions and commitment to social impact.
While accepting her award, Bharadwaj articulated Atlassian’s belief in the power of technology for social good, stating, “We believe that technology can be a powerful force for good.” She further connected the attendees with the individuals AIF serves, emphasizing that “The individuals AIF supports in India are no different than any of us; they were simply born into different circumstances.” Bharadwaj concluded by highlighting the transformative power of education, asserting that “By expanding access to educational opportunity, we can help unlock the potential that already exists within these communities and drive meaningful, lasting change.”
Giancarlo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the crucial role of global giving. He urged philanthropists, technologists, and leaders to actively engage, stating, “We can’t sit on the sidelines. We must lean in—to use innovation and philanthropy as a force for education and financial inclusion, and to support those making a real impact, one life and one community at a time.”
Nishant Pandey, AIF’s CEO, expressed his profound appreciation for the honorees, recognizing them not only as accomplished business leaders but also as philanthropists deeply committed to AIF’s mission of fostering sustainable social and economic progress. He also acknowledged the remarkable generosity of AIF’s diverse network of supporters.
The evening was made particularly impactful through the sharing of powerful stories illustrating the tangible transformations brought about by AIF’s programs.
Seventeen-year-old Asma Maryam from Chennai recounted how the Digital Equalizer program ignited her passion for science, propelling her to international competitions and inspiring her dream of becoming a rocket scientist. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Sunita from Haryana, a beneficiary of AIF’s Livelihoods program, who, through entrepreneurship training, has become her family’s primary breadwinner and a catalyst for change among women in her community.
The $2.4 million fundraising goal was achieved through the significant generosity of numerous sponsors. Benefactor sponsors included Pure Storage and Sumir Chadha. Underwriter sponsors were Westbridge Capital, Lata Krishnan and Ajay Shah, Motwani Jadeja Foundation, and Aishwarya and Shashin Shah. Patron sponsors included Christina and Deepak Kamra, and Dianne and Charlie Giancarlo.–
