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For those deeply embedded in the world of international philanthropy, a quiet concern often lingers in the background of strategy meetings and gala dinners. As India continues its ascent as a global power, many of the nonprofits serving its most vulnerable people are achieving world-class results. However, a critical question remains: Will the second and third generations of Indian Americans, particularly the high-achieving young professionals of Gen Z, embrace the land of their ancestors with the same fervor as those who came before them?
It is a valid concern. As young Indian Americans navigate their identities, their philanthropic interests may naturally gravitate toward local community needs, national social justice issues in the U.S., or even global causes in places like Africa and South America. Yet, when we consider the unprecedented wealth this demographic will generate and inherit over the next two decades, the stakes for India’s social and environmental future are high. As India approaches its centennial, its ability to tackle lingering social and ecological issues will be influenced by whether we can mobilize a new wave of diaspora support.
The timing has never been more critical: an estimated $84 trillion in wealth is being transferred across generations in the U.S. over the coming decades. Indian Americans, while numbering just 5 million, will channel a disproportionate amount of these resources due to their growing wealth. The extent to which their incomes and inheritances go to top Indian charities could shape India’s social and environmental future for generations. In response to this opportunity, the India Philanthropy Alliance has set an ambitious target: tripling NextGen giving so that Indian Americans under 40 collectively direct more than $1 billion to nonprofits improving lives across India by 2035.
A New Definition of Success
To bridge this gap, we must fundamentally redefine what it means to lead a “successful” life within the Indian American community. For decades, the roadmap to success was clear: build a prolific career (often in tech, medicine, or entrepreneurship), raise a family, and ensure the next generation is launched into stable and productive adulthood. While these are noble goals, they are no longer sufficient for a modern, interconnected world.
Inspired by Pradeep Kashyap, co-founder of the American India Foundation (AIF), we propose a broader vision: a truly successful life must include giving away a meaningful portion of one’s wealth generously, thoughtfully, and impactfully. More importantly, this giving should be joyfully enough to inspire others. Philanthropy should not be viewed as a late-career obligation, but as a core component of one’s professional and personal identity from the very start.
Listening to the Next Generation
Engagement cannot be a top-down mandate; it must begin with listening. This realization led the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) to establish its annual Youth Essay Competition seven years ago. By asking middle and high school students for their perspectives on how philanthropy can benefit India, we tap into a wellspring of fresh ideas.
In 2025 alone, we received nearly 200 submissions, proving that the interest is there; our platform gave it way to be expressed. By awarding winners $1,000 to donate to a nonprofit of their choice and inviting them to speak at national philanthropy summits, we give them agency. We are not just asking for their future checks; we are asking for their ideas and leadership today.
Breaking the Boardroom Age Barrier
Furthermore, the “ageism” that has long characterized the governing bodies of India-focused nonprofits must end. For too long, boards of directors have been the exclusive domain of those over the age of 50. This is a strategic luxury we can no longer afford.
Consider the example of Vibha, a nonprofit that broke tradition by electing Jahnavi Singh, a Google engineer in her 30s, to its board. Her fresh perspective, raw intellect, and digital-native energy have fundamentally improved the board’s operations. Organizations that fail to diversify their leadership by age risk becoming disconnected from the very talent pool they need to survive.
Nurturing Philanthropic Leaders
We also see a phenomenal rise in young, tech-savvy Indian American entrepreneurs. While much has been made of the founders of the AI startup Mercor, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha, becoming billionaires in their early 20s, they represent a much larger trend. Thousands of young professionals are achieving startling success early in their careers.
Technology and AI, in particular, are emerging as powerful levers for NextGen philanthropic engagement. Digitally-native young professionals are not just writing checks; they are building platforms, applying data-driven approaches to social problems, and using AI to scale impact in ways previous generations could not have imaged. Engaging this cohort means meeting them where they already work and think: at the intersection of innovation and purpose.
To recognize this, we launched the Deepak Raj Rising Star Award, specifically designed for philanthropists and civic leaders under 40. The award honors generous giving and building; specifically, it recognizes those creating institutions, convening communities, and inspiring others to act. By highlighting creative, high-impact giving and allowing winners to direct $10,000 to their chosen causes, we are signaling that “Rising Stars” aren’t just found in business, they are also found in service.
The Global Ripple Effect
The beauty of engaging this diaspora is that the impact is rarely contained within India’s borders. Today, India is emerging as a “Silicon Valley for social entrepreneurship.” Innovations developed to solve human development and ecological issues in India often have an outsized impact across the Global South and can even offer solutions for Europe and North America.
Imagine a future where a significant proportion of Indian American entrepreneurs have completed internships in India (such as those offered by the Sehgal Foundation and the American India Foundation) and are sitting on boards of leading diaspora nonprofits. These experiences will allow them to pair successful careers with meaningful civic engagement. In an era of global uncertainty, this vision of a connected, philanthropic generation provides us with a profound sense of hope. By involving youth today, we aren’t just solving India’s problems; we are training the world’s future problem-solvers.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.
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