Boston, Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indian American philanthropy is growing rapidly, with donors directing their time and resources toward causes in both the United States and India. New research from The Bridgespan Group explores what shapes Indian American giving and what could help build on its momentum.
“What stood out in our research was the vibrancy of Indian American philanthropy,” said Rohit Menezes, a Bridgespan partner and coauthor of the research. “Giving is widespread and connected to identity and belonging. Philanthropy is enabling Indian Americans to express what matters to them, build community, and pass values and culture forward to the next generation.”
A recent report from Indiaspora, Dalberg, and the India Philanthropy Alliance estimated diaspora giving at $4 billion to $5 billion in 2024. The share of donor household income given rose from 1–2 percent in 2018 to 4–5 percent in 2024, the report estimated.
Against this backdrop, Bridgespan, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, sought to better understand Indian American diaspora giving and what could increase its momentum. The research draws on available data as well as interviews with more than 60 donors, nonprofit leaders, and other experts.
The research identifies three forces shaping giving by the Indian American diaspora:
- Expressing values and interests. Giving often reflects family histories, professional experiences, and personal convictions, including a desire to honor opportunities received in India or the United States and “pay it forward.”
- Building community. Peer networks, nonprofit chapters, collaborative funds, volunteering, and community events can strengthen relationships while helping donors learn about opportunities to give.
- Engaging across generations. Many donors see philanthropy as a way to transmit culture and values, even as younger generations develop their own connections to India and philanthropic priorities.
Bridgespan’s research suggests Indian American philanthropy is still in its early stages. Donors also described barriers to giving effectively, particularly to India: identifying high-impact organizations, building trust, and navigating cross-border regulations. Giving on their own can also leave donors with fewer opportunities to learn from peers.
As the community expands in numbers and wealth—and approaches a significant intergenerational transfer of wealth—its giving could grow considerably. The research notes several ways to strengthen the philanthropic ecosystem, including connecting donors across interests and geographies; helping them navigate regulatory barriers; building trust between US donors and Indian nonprofits; creating trusted channels to vetted organizations and causes; and strengthening nonprofits’ ability to engage diaspora donors.
“There is already tremendous energy in this community, and the story of Indian American philanthropy is still being written,” said Menezes. “The opportunity now is to build on what is working and make it easier for donors to act on their generosity—with trusted information, stronger connections, and more opportunities to learn and give together.”
Read the full report: https://www.bridgespan.org/insights/indian-american-philanthropy-strengthening-values-and-community-across-generations
About Bridgespan
The Bridgespan Group (bridgespan.org) is a global nonprofit that collaborates with social change organizations, philanthropists, and impact investors to make the world more equitable and just. Bridgespan’s services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work and build on it with original research, identifying best practices and innovative ideas to share with the social sector. We work from locations in Boston, Delhi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, DC.
Ryan Wenzel The Bridgespan Group 646.573.3006 ryan.wenzel@bridgespan.org
