New Bridgespan research identifies what shapes - and what constrains - Indian American diaspora giving. Drawing on 60-plus interviews, the research points to trusted information, stronger networks, and easier cross-border giving as the keys to greater impact. 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." 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.

Reflections from my visit to South Africa. 26 August 2026 A legacy of commitment. While the Ford Foundation's office in Johannesburg has been operating since the 1990s, its commitment to South Africa dates back to the 1950s, when early convenings documented and exposed the devastating impacts of apartheid. Today, the initiatives supported by Ford's Office of Southern Africa focus on bridging the gap between the democratic ideals of dignity, equality, and justice and the daily realities of the historically excluded communities living there. I am deeply grateful to its regional director, Vuyiswa Sidzumo, and her dedicated team for an exceptional trip. Hope and reconciliation. I have learned so much about the South African Constitutional Court across my legal career, so being able to tour it firsthand was inspiring. The court's physical transformation from a former prison into a hall of justice is a testament to the country's resilience and dedication to reconciliation. Over the years, the Ford Foundation has proudly partnered with the Constitutional Court Trust, supporting core initiatives such as its art collection projects and legal exchange programs. Defending human rights. During its visit to the Legal Resources Centre, one of Ford's longest-standing partners in the region, it was an honor to meet with Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo, alongside several public interest law grantees. It was meaningful to hear their reflections on how South Africa can convert the promise of its constitution into a reality for its people. Democratic roots and governance. I spent a moving afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, including touring the archives with board chair Naledi Pandor and CEO Mbongiseni Buthelezi, which deepened my perspective on South Africa's democratic roots. Meeting with Ford global fellow Noncedo Madubedube and leaders from Ford grantees the Sivio Institute and Act Ubumbano offered a powerful look at the future of democracy and governance across the region. Strengthening collaborative philanthropy. At a philanthropy breakfast in Johannesburg with Michael Mapstone of the Anglo American Foundation and cohosted with the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa, The Ford Foundation discussed how funders can work together on challenging complex systemic issues. A conversation with Albie Sachs. Meeting with Albie Sachs, the distinguished lawyer and former justice appointed by Nelson Mandela to the first bench of the Constitutional Court, was an extraordinary privilege. To hear directly from a true titan of constitutional law - someone who helped in the building of South Africa's democracy - was profoundly moving. A deeply inspiring reminder of what the law can achieve at its very best. A just transition. Its site visits to Grootvlei and Genadendal brought the concept of a "just transition" to life. In Mpumalanga, the Grootvlei Power Station demonstrated that moving away from coal requires creating new economic opportunities for workers. In Genadendal, The Ford Foundation saw how climate change, land rights, and gender-based violence are deeply interconnected, and why addressing them together is essential for a lasting community change. A renewed vision. This visit reaffirmed that collaboration is at the core of its impact. My time in South Africa experiencing the dedication of its grantees and local partners has deeply inspired me and reinforced my commitment to its shared goal of upholding the rule of law and building an equitable future for all.

An Economic Vitality Plan for the Applegate Valley: fall update. August 19, 2026 An Economic Vitality Plan is a strategic roadmap designed by local governments or organizations to strengthen a community's economic health. It outlines actionable steps to attract and retain businesses, create jobs, support local entrepreneurs, support local residents in having a good livelihood, and to improve overall quality of life in the community. The Applegate Valley is the first unincorporated rural community selected to do this kind of place- based process to increase rural economic vitality, supported by a grant to A Greater Applegate from the Ford Foundation. To create the EVP, A Greater Applegate is building on the Applegate Valley Vision that was completed in 2022, two studies on the economic drivers and a map of rural commercial space that were done with the University of Oregon in 2023 and 2024, and all the work that AGA has done through the Business Network, industry-focused working groups, and Wander Applegate. AGA is driving the process, but local business owners, managers and residents are providing the direct input for the EVP. Applegate Connect started with a series of focus groups with industries that are currently driving its economy, including Food and Farm, Wineries/Cideries, Forestry and Fuels Reduction, Artists and Makers, Cannabis Growers, Educators, Outdoor Recreation, etc. A second round of meetings was based on location. Meetings were held at each of the Applegate Valley's "village hubs": Williams, Ruch, Applegate, and Murphy (the Wilderville meeting is still to come). Each hub meeting was attended mostly by brick and mortar business owners from that "village". The industry working groups provided insight into current conditions, challenges and opportunities for those industries as a whole. The Village Hub meetings made space for local flavor, and were forums for the passion and community spirit that Applegate Valley residents have for this place Applegate Connect all call home. Applegate Connect heard from business people whose families have been in the Applegate for generations, and from newcomers who recently started businesses here. Applegate Connect heard from businesses that exclusively serve Applegate Valley residents, and others geared towards visitors or remote customers. There was broad agreement on how much the changes around cannabis have affected the Applegate, and the entire region. There were concerns about lack of affordable housing, the shortage of commercial real estate and challenges for the commercial sites that do exist, and a broad consensus that county regulations are not currently helpful to economic success and growth here. There were many who expressed a desire for more opportunities for young people so that they could choose to stay here and have a solid livelihood. There was also a very strong sense of commitment to the community and a focus on finding solutions for the next phase of the Applegate economy. One common theme was that Applegate needs to find a way to increase economic activity and community prosperity without over-development. A paraphrase might be "We choose to live here for a reason, let's not turn the community into a place we no longer want to live in". Many attendees promoted a "Buy Local" approach, and many business owners spoke to ways that local businesses can co-operate on a win/win basis. Businesses in the Applegate sometimes struggle to reach residents, and AGA is actively working on this through the activities of the Applegate Business Network and the online business listings at the Applegate Business Directory at https://applegateconnect.org/directory- categories/ Applegate Connect has a last round of community input before Applegate Connect start the process of writing the EVP itself, and you are invited to be part of it. Applegate Connect has created an online survey to take input from interested members of the community. You can access the survey HERE. This survey builds on several years of prior community visioning and economic studies (see that prior work on the AGA website at https://agreaterapplegate.org/economic-studies/). Your responses to the survey will help shape priorities, identify projects, and guide where future effort and investment should go. Results will be summarized in the final public plan, which Applegate Connect expect to publish this Winter. Please do take a few minutes to respond to the survey, and look for updates on the EVP on the AGA website and here at the Applegater.