Mission
The American India Foundation (AIF) is 501[3][c] organization committed to improving the lives of India’s underprivileged–with a special focus on women, children, and youth–through high impact interventions in education, health, and livelihoods. As a binational organization strengthening the bridge between the civil societies of the world’s largest and two most powerful democracies, AIF also cultivates a robust platform for leadership development through its fellowship program, nurturing the next generation of globally minded changemakers.
Vision
Our vision is to collectively and tirelessly work to create a more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant democracy in India where each individual, regardless of location, gender, or social status, can realize their full potential.
Our Approach
AIF designs bold solutions to complex problems for communities that need it the most. Our unique value proposition is our capacity to create broad engagement between central and state governments, NGO partners, local communities, civil society, and technical expertise to work at the systemic level to leverage transformation at scale. With poverty alleviation and gender equity as our guiding pillars, and driven by values of transparency, secularism, and nonpartisanship, we have generated sustainable positive impact for millions across the most remote parts of India in maternal and neonatal health, education, and livelihoods. To date, AIF has impacted almost 16 million lives across 36 states and union territories in India. AIF’s fellowship program drives leadership in thought and action across these categories and beyond.
Even though our solutions are intended to create large-scale change, they begin and end with real people: a young mother like Ritu who can delivery her baby safely with AIF-trained health workers through our Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI), girls like Archana who have access to quality education and technological literacy from our Digital Equalizer (DE) program, street vendors like Mohammed who are introduced to low interest working capital loans through our Entre-Prerana program, or women with disabilities like Shabana who can live a life of dignity and support their families, thanks to our Ability Based Skills Empowerment (ABLE) program.
We have over 1,800 team members in India executing our programs, with a small group of 20 colleagues in the US—including our CEO—driving strategy, growth, and expansion of our $25 million annual budget. Our Global Board is comprised of 27 eminent leaders in business and philanthropy.
Values
Creativity
Promote inquiry and innovation across all levels of the organization Build creative capacity of all stakeholders through openness to new ideas, collaborative problem-solving, cross-functional teamwork, and a multiplicity of perspectives
Unity
Provide equal opportunities to all to contribute to India’s development Create a culture of collaboration and teamwork, encouraging information sharing and participatory decision-making
Respect
Value all individuals and their contributions equally without regard to their race, class, caste, gender, ability, sexuality, or career level Listen to a diversity of perspectives to promote the most effective approach to collaborative problem-solving Practice thoughtfulness, kindness, and empathy with all stakeholders
Integrity
Be honest and truthful in all circumstances while addressing conflict and challenges openly Uphold the highest ethical standards, including equanimity, transparency and accountability Resolve disputes and conflicts of interest proactively and fairly
Excellence
Model continuous improvement, striving every day to best meet the changing needs of India’s poor, while maintaining razor-like focus on the AIF mission and values