Second India Giving Day to be held on March 1 

India Philanthropy Alliance and Drexel University prepare to further strengthen the philanthropy bridge to India

By Aishwarya Singh

The Drexel University and India Philanthropy Alliance will co-host an event in Philadelphia on March 1, 2024, to mark the second national celebration of India Giving Day (IGD).

After a successful first year of philanthropy for Indian organizations and record donations by the Indian diaspora and others interested in India, the second year is expected to be bigger and better. Bringing more philanthropic insights, engagement, funding and visibility, the philanthropic community is gearing up to give back to India like never before.

RELATED: Second India Giving Day campaign launched at Drexel (October 5, 2023)

The lineup of speakers at the second India Giving Day, which will be held at the LeBow School of Business at Drexel University, includes Deepak Raj, the Founder of Raj Associates; Nalini Saligram, the CEO of Aarogya World; Paul Glick, the Executive Director of Rural India Supporting Trust; and Manisha Bharti, the CEO of Pratham USA.

A growing number of India-based organizations are looking to reach out to the philanthropic community in the U.S. and across the world today. There are many meaningful and credible causes making a significant impact through their efforts and initiatives on the ground in India. Simultaneously, there is a larger and more successful Indian diaspora than ever before with an increasing willingness to engage. The India Giving Day platform has emerged as a significant vehicle in growing that philanthropic pie.

With the inaugural campaign in 2023 galvanizing over a thousand donations, the goal for the second IGD is to more than double that impact. “In its second year, India Giving Day has become an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the role that each of us can play in improving the quality of life for vulnerable people and also fragile ecosystems and creatures in India, and beyond,” said Alex Counts, the Director of India Giving Day.

READ: First India Giving Day raises $1 million for 25 Indian nonprofits (March 7, 2023)

This goal can be met when the collective forces of the Indian diaspora are connected to organizations working in real time to create change in India. “The creativity and resources being unleashed on serious problems such as poverty, climate change, eldercare, and animal well-being will lead to big changes in the months and years ahead. I am particularly impressed with the involvement of youth and young professionals as leaders in the India Giving Day movement,” added Counts.

Drexel University’s role in enabling the work of India Giving Day has been pivotal. By engaging a vast and diverse student body and enabling the involvement of a large alumni network, Drexel has given a fillip to IGD efforts. Engaging the youth, Indian and of other origin, is key in creating change that is deep and lasting because of India’s role in creating global social impact. When India’s social impact data shifts, the whole world’s needle moves as well and young people are a significant vehicle in helping shift the needle. Drexel University is pioneering this involvement of the young.

“Drexel University is proud to partner with India Philanthropy Alliance to host the second annual India Giving Day to recognize the critical importance of philanthropy and collaboration to address such systemic challenges of health inequity, educational attainment and access to healthy nutrition,” said David L. Unruh, Senior Vice-President of Drexel’s Office of Institutional Advancement.

“With an extensive Indian alumni population across the US, India and beyond, and a vibrant and engaged Indian student population, Drexel is honored to help facilitate support for the many organizations dedicated to meeting these challenges.”

READ: Washington, D.C. to celebrate India Giving Day (February 18, 2023)

The event is open for in-person event and online participation. To participate in the event, register here.

(Aishwarya Singh is the Founder and co-host of South Asia’s first and largest true crime podcast, The Desi Crime Podcast)

READ MORE:

India Giving Day to be launched on October 2 (September 26, 2023)
First-ever India Giving Day on March 2 (February 9, 2023)