Philanthropists from India and geographies with significant diaspora migration – US, UK, UAE, Canada, Singapore and Australia – feature in Indiaspora’s list of  100 such leaders making a difference through their giving.

Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions, published the list on Thursday.

 “It is incredibly inspiring to see so many philanthropists from our community who have translated their success into social impact,” said Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami. “These leaders serve as an example of the importance of generosity and remind us of the many issues that need our attention.”

With guidance from nine jurors and drawing from multiple sources, including reputed studies, earlier verified lists, and publicly shared documents, Indiaspora’s 2021 Philanthropy Leaders List recognizes these leaders across the globe for their philanthropic contributions and engagement.

Click Image to see full list

“It was very gratifying to be a part of this effort, and I appreciated the careful consideration given to each honoree by those who were involved,” said Sara Kalim, Director of Development at Somerville College and one of the jurors.  “As someone who works in the development space, I see firsthand how philanthropy can transform lives for the better.  This list shines a light on the tremendous power of giving.”

With more than 32 million people of Indian origin globally, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Indians are arguably the largest diaspora population in the world.

Several of the philanthropists included in the list stepped forward to give during the Covid-19 crisis, an Indiaspora release said.

“Covid-19 taught us that businesses, nonprofits, government, and philanthropy all play a critical role in lifting the communities they serve and operate in during times of crisis,” said Prem Watsa, founder and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holdings and one of the honorees on the List. “Indiaspora’s Philanthropy Leaders List serves as a reminder to the diaspora to continue the important work of giving even after the crisis abates so that our communities can meet future challenges.” 

The List includes names from various industries including technology, entertainment, finance, and the law, among others, who are using their philanthropy to address issues such as access to healthcare, quality education, water and sanitation, arts and culture, food insecurity, and employability.

“I hope the diaspora will continue to give forward, and even more boldly,” said Rohini Nilekani, founder-chairperson of sustainable water and sanitation nonprofit Arghyam, who is also an honoree on the List.

Following is the full list:

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