AIF and Ashoka:  A Partnership for Change

In July 2002, the American India Foundation (AIF) and Ashoka started a strategic partnership to extend the mission of supporting social entrepreneurs across India.  The goal of the partnership is to increase the number of India-based Fellows as well as build upon both the organisations' experiences of working in India. Over five years, Ashoka and AIF have jointly elected nearly 100 Ashoka-AIF Fellows working in a variety of fields including our three pillars of work : education, sustainable livelihoods and public health. 

In 2004, Sriram Ayer was elected an Ashoka-AIF Fellow. His contributions include developing a mentor-based learning program for children living in the slums of south India, getting the emerging private sector to play a key role in the venture. And during the tragic 2005 tsunami, the mentor program provided community knowledge for recovery. Another Ashoka-AIF Fellow elected in 2002 was Kapilananda Mondal. He has introduced a wide range of financial services to the rural poor in West Bengal, including interest bearing savings accounts, insurance and low costs loans. Other innovations in microfinance that Kapil has created are incentive-based systems including reduced costs train vouchers, gifts for spouses, and cash prizes. For 2005-2006, we would like to recognize the 31 newly elected Ashoka-AIF Fellows based in India.

AIF’s support of Ashoka’s recognition and celebration of social entrepreneurs goes beyond this strategic partnership. AIF also works directly with several Fellows including Yogendra Upadhyay of Bodh Shiksha Samiti (1998 Ashoka Fellow) whose team has found creative ways to educate children living in the slums of Jaipur, practically on their doorsteps, and Dr. Pradip Sarmah of the Centre for Rural Development (2001 Ashoka Fellow) whose work with the cycle rickshaw pullers ensure a dignified employment, access to credit for asset ownership, and in the end sustained livelihoods. 

We look forward to ways to expand our partnership to further catalyze efforts to benefit India’s poorest and most marginalized. It is with these kinds of collaborations that we can achieve an India where all individuals have the freedom, capability and opportunity to realize their full potential and lead dignified lives. 

About AIF:

Founded by President William J. Clinton in 2001, AIF is acknowledged as a trusted bridge for Americans to channel philanthropy towards accelerating social and economic change in India. Since its inception they have raised $37 million and invested around $27 million in India. They have awarded grants to over 60 Indian organisations  who are working on primary education, income/asset creation and HIV/AIDS issues. We have sent 140 Service Corps Fellows to serve for ten months with Indian NGOs, the Digital Equalizer program has brought technology to touch the lives of over 200,000 students and 5,500 teachers in schools across India, and through our League of Artisans platform we are bringing sustainable livelihoods to artisans by improving their production processes and marketing their crafts. AIF has offices in New York, California, and New Delhi. AIF’s US Advisory Council is chaired by Professor Amartya Sen, and the Board of Directors is co-chaired by Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner Worldwide of McKinsey & Company and Victor Menezes, Retired Senior Vice Chairman of Citigroup.