US-based charitable group America-India Foundation, which is involved in various social development projects in India, recently raised $3 million from a fund-raising dinner in New York. AIF, founded at the initiative of former American President Bill Clinton, finances projects undertaken by NGOs in the education, livelihood and public health sectors in India.
"We are very proud to see that AIF's work resonates in the hearts and minds of the Indian Diaspora and supporters of India in the corporate sector throughout the United States," AIF Executive Director Pradeep Kashyap said. AIF is using the leverage of its grants to persuade state governments in India to invest their resources as well, said co-chair of AIF Rajat Gupta.
Commenting on the activities of the foundation in India, Victor Menezes, AIF Co-chair, said, "We invested $400,000 with AIF grant partner SAATH in Ahmedabad to provide vocational training to youth. 25,000 urban youth in 15 towns, aged 18-35 years were trained to improve work skills required in high-job growth industries. AIF grant received support from the state, thus maximizing its impact".
AIF is working to develop awareness about India among young American leaders through its force of volunteers called the Service Corps Fellowship. Every year, 25 to 30 young Americans spend 10 months volunteering with NGOs in India. To date, AIF has sent 140 Fellows to work with 65 Indian NGOs, and another 30 will be heading to India this September.
