Indian Americans Build a National Movement Against Hunger in America
Indian Americans have channeled two distinct traditions, the Sikh langar and diaspora civic organizing into a sustained movement against hunger in the United States. Sikh gurdwaras across New York, New Jersey, and California operated free community kitchens during COVID-19, serving tens of thousands of meals to Americans of all backgrounds. Anna and Raj Asava founded […]
Indian Americans Emerge as a Major Force in US Political Fundraising
Indian Americans have become one of the most significant donor communities in American electoral politics, raising tens of millions of dollars across federal election cycles and reshaping how both parties court the diaspora. Shekhar Narsimhan helped establish the community’s presence at the highest levels of Democratic fundraising. Asha Jadeja brought Silicon Valley diaspora wealth into […]
Indian Americans Build New Philanthropic Mechanisms Across the US
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Indian Americans transformed personal wealth into new philanthropic infrastructure. Dr. Suri Sehgal and Edda Sehgal founded their private foundation in Des Moines, Iowa in 1998, one of the earliest diaspora-led philanthropic institutions in America. Dr. Romesh Wadhwani directed Silicon Valley wealth toward large-scale job creation through the Wadhwani Foundation. […]
Indian Americans Lead Major US Philanthropic Institutions
Indian Americans lead institutions directing billions of dollars to impact the lives of all Americans. Kavita Ramdas served as president of the Global Fund for Women from 1996 to 2010, placing an Indian American woman at the center of international philanthropic leadership. Rajiv Shah became President of the Rockefeller Foundation in 2017, deploying hundreds of […]
Paragi Patel
Paragi Patel is a philanthropist and community leader dedicated to advancing education, healthcare, and civic engagement. Together with Dr. Umang Patel, she has supported charitable initiatives that strengthen public health, educational opportunity, and nonprofit leadership. Her work emphasizes collaborative philanthropy, community partnerships, and long-term institutional impact. Through sustained engagement with civic and charitable organizations, Patel […]
Dr. Umang Patel
Dr. Umang Patel is a physician, healthcare executive, and philanthropist whose career has focused on improving healthcare delivery through innovation and technology. Alongside his wife, Paragi Patel, he has supported initiatives in public health, education, and community development while advancing leadership within Indian American philanthropy. His professional work has emphasized digital health, patient-centered care, and […]
Minoo Gupta
Minoo Gupta is a philanthropist and community leader whose charitable work has advanced education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and community development. Through sustained support for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, she has helped strengthen initiatives that expand opportunity and improve quality of life in both the United States and India. Gupta has also encouraged greater civic […]
Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani is a lawyer, activist, and social entrepreneur best known for founding Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in technology. Through coding programs, educational initiatives, and advocacy, she helped create a national movement to address the gender gap in computer science and engineering. Her work has introduced hundreds […]
Saket Soni
Saket Soni is a labor organizer, human rights advocate, and founder of Resilience Force, a national organization representing disaster recovery workers across the United States. Following Hurricane Katrina, he emerged as a leading advocate for migrant workers who rebuild communities after natural disasters while often facing unsafe conditions and labor exploitation. Through organizing, litigation, and […]
Gautam Godhwani
Gautam Godhwani is a business leader and philanthropist whose charitable work has focused on education, healthcare, and community development. Working alongside his brother, Anil Godhwani, he has helped support nonprofit institutions dedicated to expanding educational access, advancing medical research, and strengthening civic life. His philanthropy reflects a belief in long-term institutional investment and collaborative leadership. […]