Global Giving Issue 3
January 2002
Global Giving Matters pres-
ents best practices and inno-
vations in philanthropy and
social investment around the
world; it is an initiative of The
Synergos Institute’s Global
Philanthropists Circle and the
World Economic Forum.
This issue features an example
of philanthropy – in the form of
both funding and volunteers –
connecting Indian-Americans
and people in India in a time of
need. The American India
Foundation (AIF) is working to
bring together best practices
in philanthropy including
activism, cultural involvement,
and the use of digital tech-
nologies to run a slim organi-
zation that gets its message
across to a wide constituency.
At the same time, AIF's experi-
ence reinforces what non-
profits groups around the
world have also learned –
building the knowledge and
trust to work effectively with
communities takes time.
Synergos
9 East 69th Street
New York, NY 10021 USA
Tel +1 (212) 517-4900
Fax +1 (212) 517-4815
synergos@synergos.org
www.synergos.org
MATTERS
In this issue
2 Feature: American India Foundation – Long Distance Philanthropy
Brings Donors Closer to Home
4 Global Giving Round-Up
• Global Philanthropy Forum launched
• Schwab Foundation promotes new social investment tool
• New philanthropy institute launched in Spain
• Philanthropy 101: Australians return to school to learn how to give
• Youth Philanthropy Worldwide promotes global giving by young people
• Kenya charity race raises funds for Nairobi slum
• New Asian college in formation for women in poverty
• New Brazilian philanthropic initiative launched in New York City
• Dubai billionaire makes major gift for water management research
• Harry Potter creator advocates for single-parent families
• From Canada to Uganda: a youthful initiative helps dig wells
• Philanthropy Ink: Mega-donations by individuals down in 2001
8 Resources & Links
• New book examines philanthropy by Middle Eastern Americans
• Worth magazine rates 100 best U.S. charities
• New book provides guidance for social and economic justice advocates
8 Global Philanthropists Circle News
• 2001 Mexico Trip
• Southern Africa Trip set for March 11–21 2002
9 Your Ideas Wanted
www.globalgivingmatters.org comments@globalgivingmatters.org
Global Giving Matters presents best practices and innovations in philanthropy and social investment
around the world; it is an initiative of the World Economic Forum and The Synergos Institute’s
Global Philanthropists Circle. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, to unsubscribe, or to
designate someone else in your organization to receive it in your stead, contact us at
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© 2002 Synergos/World Economic Forum
 Global Giving MATTERS

FEATURE: AMERICAN INDIA FOUNDATION

LONG DISTANCE PHILANTHROPY BRINGS DONORS
CLOSER TO HOME
January 2001 – A massive earthquake hits Gujarat, India, registering 7.9 on the Richter
Scale. An estimated 20,000 are killed, 200,000 are injured and 600,000 are homeless.
Complete towns are devastated and countless livelihoods are lost.
January 2002 – The American India Foundation has been up and running for nine
months, having raised $8 million; given grants of $1.3 million, held fund-raising events
around the US to highlight its work; sent a team of physicians and surgeons to attend
to earthquake victims; and completed a three-month pilot service corps program that
matches volunteers who have specific technical and management skills with Indian
NGOs that need them.
With a handful of paid staff in New York City, Silicon Valley and India, as well as vol-
unteers, AIF aspires to function as a “virtual” organization that promotes active philan-
thropy and social involvement. Its Web site, www.aifoundation.org, enables potential
donors and other interested parties to learn how they can give, make donations on-
line, or sign up for more information on doing service in needy communities in India.
AIF also provides information on NGOs in India and regularly publishes updates on
how its grants have made a difference in communities affected by the earthquake as
well as sites elsewhere in India.

How it started
The genesis of AIF starts with former US President Bill Clinton, according to Jay Philip,
AIF’s New York program director. Immediately after the earthquake Mr. Clinton con-
tacted India’s Prime Minister Shri Vajpayee to ask how he might use his influence to
address the crisis. Mr. Clinton garnered significant respect in the Indian-American
community as the first US president to visit India in 40 years, according to Mr. Philip.
He then initiated discussions with Rajat Gupta, Managing Director of McKinsey &
Co., and Victor Menezes, Chairman and CEO of Citibank, both based in New York
City, and with prominent business leaders on the East and West Coasts. Following a
convening of these leaders and Mr. Clinton, AIF was born. An executive director,
Pradeep Kashyap, based in New York City, and a president, Lata Krishnan, who is in
Silicon Valley, head it. A strong board of trustees – including Mr. Clinton (who serves
as honorary chair) – was formed. Each office also has a program director.
The leadership at AIF offered numerous resources to jump-start the foundation. Mr.
Gupta organized a team of analysts from McKinsey to provide pro bono services to the
new foundation. One team member happened to be Mr. Philip, a 25-year-old Indian-
American, who joined the foundation as program director in its New York office.

January 2002 2
Global Giving MATTERS

In March 2001, AIF helped organize a team of medical experts from Stanford who
went to India to treat earthquake victims, bringing along sophisticated equipment as
well. American and Indian physicians worked side-by-side, providing Indian doctors
much needed extra hands at a difficult time.
In April, Mr. Clinton joined a delegation of Indian-American business and civic leaders
to visit the earthquake site and meet with local leaders. One participant was James Lee
Witt, director of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) in the Clinton
administration and now a consultant on disaster management. He helped develop a
report that recommended how to improve emergency management in situations such
as Gujarat.

Giving more than money

A key theme of AIF since its inception is the idea that philanthropy involves far more
than raising money and making grants to worthy NGOs. To that end, AIF launched its
volunteer service corps to match individuals with NGOs in Gujarat and elsewhere in
India. A three-month pilot program was announced last May on the Web site, with
plans to send 20 volunteers in June. Word quickly spread and more than 200 applica-
tions poured in. Ultimately, AIF selected 21 volunteers, aged 21 to 35. Their back-
grounds ranged from those with advanced degrees in development studies and NGO
work to professionals in finance and high technology. All were Indian and met three
criteria: volunteer experience; at least one month living in a village setting during the
past five years; and fluency in Gujarati or Hindi. AIF subsidized the pilot program.
Following a two-week orientation, the volunteers spent June through August in India.
But AIF’s experience reinforced what other international nonprofits have also learned –
building the knowledge and trust to work effectively with communities takes significant
time. Says Mr. Philip, “It takes six weeks just to get to know the community and gain
their trust – and then there were just six weeks left.” So future service corps commit-
ments (including one beginning in January 2002, the other in June 2002) will be for at
least six months. And volunteers will be required to raise a portion of the funds for
their stay. A “silver service corps” for older volunteers is being planned. A key goal of
the program, in addition to service, is to strengthen bridges between the world's oldest
and largest democracies, says Jay Philip.
Despite the drawbacks of the short pilot period, AIF learned a lot. First, a careful
matching of skills with needs is essential. Second, local language mastery is critical to
success. Third, AIF needs to manage expectations well: Volunteers need to understand
their limitations as well as their strengths, and know how much – or how little – they
might accomplish.
But even in three months, AIF produced results. Several NGOs extended formal job
offers to volunteers, and several decided to stay longer. AIF is also working with volun-
teers within India who want to participate in projects.

January 2002 3
 Global Giving MATTERS
GLOBAL GIVING ROUNDUP
Overviews of best
practices around
the world and
links to learn more
about them
Links to Web sites with
more details are available
at the online edition of
Global Giving Matters at
www.globalgivingmatters.org
Beyond Gujarat
As participation in AIF’s activities has grown, so has its scope. One is to create an All-
India agenda to address issues around the country, with a focus on primary education,
women's empowerment, and disaster relief. A program called Digital Equalizer aims to
make knowledge of and access to digital technologies widely available in India.
Following the attacks on September 11, AIF added a September 11 Relief Fund to its
program, because “We felt strongly about our adopted country and wanted to give
back,” says Anjali Sharma, an AIF volunteer who specializes in marketing. The fund
raised more than $1 million.
It is remarkable that with such a slim infrastructure AIF has accomplished so much in
so little time. But that’s the model AIF has aspired to since its outset, managing with
minimal staff but tight planning. “We try to operate like a for-profit business,” says
Sharma, a former dot-commer.
Another comparison could be to another global nonprofit organization: CARE, which
both fund-raises and sponsors projects of its own. But the American India Foundation
appears to bring together best practices in philanthropy including activism, cultural
involvement, and the use of digital technologies to run a slim organization that gets its
message across to a wide constituency.
Global Philanthropy Forum launched
The Global Philanthropy Forum (GPF) has been launched in California as a way to pro-
vide opportunities to new as well as experienced philanthropists concerned with inter-
national giving. Developed by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the TOSA
Foundation, the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the World Affairs
Council of Northern California, GPF is sponsoring its first activity – a conference at
Stanford – on March 7–8 that will bring together 200 government and corporate
leaders, donors and activists to examine issues related to Central and South Asia.
Confirmed plenary speakers include Gordon Conway, President of The Rockefeller
Foundation, Richard Goldman, President of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund,
and Kavita Ramdas, President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women. Among many
panelists are Adele Simmons, Senior Advisor, World Economic Forum. A key goal of
conference is to help participants in its programs focus on four specific areas where
philanthropy can act as an agent of change: infectious diseases, women's economic
empowerment, environmental degradation, and conflict. For more information visit
www.philanthropyforum.org.
January 2002 4
Global Giving MATTERS

Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship promotes the GEXSI

The Geneva-based Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, established by
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab and his wife, Hilde, is spearheading an
effort to create a Global Exchange for Social Investment (GEXSI). The GEXSI pro-
vides a marketplace for socially-minded investors and for those looking for funds and
support. GEXSI seeks to increase the transparency for both sides in the Exchange,
establishes standards, clears transactions and ensures monitoring of the initiatives. In
March 2001, together with the support of the international management consultants
Bain & Company, the Schwab Foundation initiated the process of conception, enriched
through consultation with CEOs, not-for-profits, social entrepreneurs, financial and
academic leaders. Since September an ad hoc consortium has been formed comprised
of the Open Society Institute, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deutsche Bank, Foursome
Investments, Ashoka and Endeavor, as well as the Schwab Foundation and Bain. What
they have in common is a commitment to setting in motion a GEXSI believing that it
necessary to move beyond the paradigm of “donors” and “recipients” to a market-
based approach. To date, the GEXSI has accredited ten top intermediaries based on 11
performance principles. These intermediaries include venture philanthropists, not-for-
profits and for-profits presenting high impact initiatives in their portfolios to the
GEXSI. Initiatives include projects in economic development, health, education, envi-
ronment, micro-finance and human rights. There will be several opportunities to dis-
cuss the GEXSI at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in New York.
For further information, contact Pamela Hartigan, Managing Director of the Schwab
Foundation who is also overseeing the project, at www.schwabfound.org.

New philanthropy institute launched in Spain

The Instituto de Filantropía y Desarrollo (Philanthropy and Development Institute –
www.filantropiaydesarrollo.org), the first such entity in Spain, has been launched in
Barcelona to promote philanthropy and the voluntary sector. Its Web site provides
links to consultants, publications, on-line forums, and training companies. However,
few of these are Spanish. In line with its launch, the institute, headed by Executive
Manager Manuel Palencia-Lefler, has published a handbook on fundraising for Spanish
nonprofit organizations.

Philanthropy 101: Australians return to school to learn how to give

A new Asia-Pacific Centre for Philanthropy and Social Investment opened its doors at
Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia in November, with the
goal of enhancing awareness and improving the practice of philanthropy among a new
generation of wealthy business leaders. While one focus is on raising corporate philan-
thropy to the levels of Australia’s counterparts in the US and Western Europe, another
is working with baby boomers who are inheriting wealth and want guidance on how to
“give back” responsibly, according to Michael Liffman, a former foundation executive
who is directing the center. (The Age, November 14, 2001)

January 2002 5
Global Giving MATTERS

Youth Philanthropy Worldwide promotes global giving by young people

Youth Philanthropy Worldwide (www.ypworldwide.org) is a new program – launched in
2001 – to promote an ethic of giving among young people around the world. Founded
by Esther Hewlett and Anne McCarten-Gibbs as a program of Take Our Daughters to
Work Day at the Global Fund for Women in San Francisco – where Ms. Hewlett was a
founding board member and Ms. McCarten-Gibbs is on staff – the program offers
one-time workshops, from one and a half hours to half a day, that teach the nuts and
bolts of thoughtful grantmaking, from creating a budget to reviewing proposals to
thinking out program strategy. Partner groups include the Global Fund for Children.

Kenya charity race raises funds to help Nairobi slum

Top professional runners as well as amateurs in Kenya competed in The Great
AMREF Kenya Road Race on December 9, sponsored by African Medical Research
Foundation (AMREF – www.amref.org), that raised US$13,000 to build toilets in
Kibera, one of Nairobi’s poorest slums as part of a larger campaign to improve sanita-
tion in poor communities. Much of the funding was raised by members of the Kenyan
athletics community during a road race in the United States, and a further amount was
raised locally through corporate and individual sponsorship. AMREF, which is based in
Nairobi, is one of Africa’s oldest indigenous charities and operates throughout the con-
tinent providing health education and services. AMREF won the 1999 Conrad N. Hilton
Humanitarian Prize. (The Nation (Nairobi), December 10, 2001 via AllAfrica.com)

New Asian college in formation for women in poverty

Leaders in education and international development are pooling expertise and
resources to launch the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. Starting at about
the size of a small liberal arts college, it aims especially to meet the needs of poor
women from various Asian cultures, many on scholarships, according to Lone Dybkjær,
a member of the European Parliament and former Danish environment minister who
is a co-chair, with Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, of a group that announced
plans in December for the new institution. (New York Times, December 9, 2001)

New Brazilian philanthropic initiative launched in New York City

More than 100 Brazilian bankers, lawyers, investment professionals and other business
leaders based in New York City gathered in November to launch the BrazilFoundation
(www.brazilfoundation.org), which aims at supporting the nonprofit community in
Brazil. A key goal of the foundation is to mobilize (tax deductible) resources within this
affluent community to support projects in education, health, human rights, citizenship
and culture in Brazil. Brazil’s First Lady Ruth Cardoso is a member of the foundation's
advisory board.

Dubai billionaire makes major gift for water management research

Haji Saeed Bin Ahmed Al-Lootah, a construction magnate and prominent philanthropist
in Dubai, announced plans in November to donate more than CDN$4.4 million
(about US$2.7 million) to the United Nations University’s International Network on

January 2002 6
Global Giving MATTERS

Water, Environment and Health to support a two-year project to improve water man-
agement skills, conduct water-related research, and improve the development of water
technologies in Dubai. The projects will take place in Dubai, other Emirates of the
United Arab Emirates, and possibly elsewhere in the region and will include the cre-
ation of a project center, with offices, staff and all facilities through the World Al-
Lootah University, which Mr. Al-Lootah founded in Dubai. He has also promised to
follow up with further donations when the first program phase is in place.

Harry Potter creator advocates for single-parent families

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has become an active philanthropist on behalf of
single parent families since gaining such huge success with her popular fantasy series.
At a London meeting in November for the National Council for One Parent Families,
she decried single-parent poverty as a “scandal” and, at her request, the Council was
the beneficiary of a London gala screening of the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s
Stone (the British title), which netted about £40,000 (about $58,000) for the One Parent
Families Magic Million Appeal. In 2000, she donated £500,000 donation (about
$725,000 US) to the Council. Rowling spent many years raising her daughter as a
single parent, but was recently married. (Divorce On-Line World News, November 19,
2001)

From Canada to Uganda: a youthful initiative helps build wells

An initiative by Ryan Hreljac, a first-grader from Ontario, Canada who learned about
how people in a Uganda community didn’t have clean drinking water, has grown into a
full-fledged foundation to build wells in several African countries. Ryan’s Well
Foundation (www.ryanswell.ca) – the subject of a documentary that aired on Canadian
TV in November – is now a well-known organization that has partnered with large
Canadian nonprofits to raise funds for well-building in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and
Malawi as well as Uganda. The foundation has raised more than $400,000.

Philanthropy Ink: Mega-donations by individuals down in 2001

A year-end report by SiliconValley.com notes that charity gifts by “mega-donors” were
down significantly in 2001 compared to 2000, with the 10 largest charitable gifts by
individuals in 2001 amounting to $4.6 billion, compared to $11.1 billion in 2000 – a
decrease of almost 60 percent. Of the top ten gifts, five went to universities and one to
medical research. Topping the donor list in 2001 were Microsoft chairman Bill Gates
and his wife Melinda Gates, who donated $2 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation; Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Services Corp., a mutual-fund
company, and his wife Virginia Stowers ($1.1 billion); and Gordon Moore, co-founder
and chairman emeritus of Intel Corp., and his wife Betty Moore, with a pledge of $300
million to the California Institute of Technology. The Gateses and the Moores shared
the top slot in 2000. A key reason for the decline was the drop in technology stocks.
(SiliconValley.com, December 31, 2001)

January 2002 7
 Global Giving MATTERS

RESOURCES & LINKS

Activities, Web New book examines philanthropy by Middle Eastern Americans
sites and other A new report entitled Philanthropy Among Middle Eastern Americans and their
Historical Traditions of Giving, co-edited by Mehdi Bozorgmehr and Beth Baron of the
cutting-edge
Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center, City University of New York
information for
(CUNY). This volume is now available through the Center for the Study of
global givers Philanthropy at the Graduate Center at CUNY. For more information, email
Links to Web sites with csp@gc.cuny.edu or phone +1 (212) 817-2010.
more details are available
at the online edition of
Worth magazine rates 100 best charities
Global Giving Matters at
www.globalgivingmatters.org The December 2001 issue of Worth magazine listed the100 best charities in the US.
Drawing on criteria that included an analysis of financial statements, consultations with
philanthropy experts, and due diligence, Worth reporter Reshma Memon Yaqub
assessed charities’ effectiveness in the areas of health, human services, relief and devel-
opment, environment and education. They’re listed in alphabetical order in each cate-
gory, so there’s no “best” charity among the 100. She also listed 12 charities to avoid.
The findings can be seen at www.worth.com.

New book provides guidance for social and economic justice advocates
With input from the Advocacy Institute and Oxfam America, a new book, Advocacy for
Social Justice: A Global Action and Reflection Guide, by David Cohen, Rosa de la
Vega, and Gabrielle Watson, calls itself the “first comprehensive guide for worldwide
social and economic justice advocates.” Published by Kumarian Press, the book targets
a readership of practitioners, trainers, teachers and students of activism, and offers a
tool kit for taking action, comprehensive case studies, and hundreds of resource list-
ings. For information see www.kpbooks.com or call +1 (860) 243-2098.

GLOBAL PHILANTHROPISTS CIRCLE NEWS

2001 Mexico Trip

The trip to Oaxaca, Guanajuato and Mexico City in November/December of last year
was a great success, with 25 GPC members from four countries participating and
sharing experiences. Our Mexican GPC members – the Achar, Arango, Baillères,
Hernández, Serna and Serrano families – and key Mexican nonprofit organizations all
helped Synergos produce a unique and educational experience for the GPC partici-
pants and the people we met with. Synergos is working with GPC members and some

January 2002 8
 Global Giving MATTERS

of our Mexican hosts on follow-up. A report on the trip has been sent to GPC mem-
bers and is available on request.

Southern Africa Trip set for March 11–21 2002

This trip promises to provide a close-up view of the development challenges facing
South Africa and Mozambique today. The program starts on the morning of March 12
in Cape Town and ends on March 21 in Maputo, Mozambique, with time spent in
Johannesburg and in rural areas in between. As in the recent trip to Mexico, partici-
pants will meet with a range of non-profit, business and government leaders, including
President Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela who, with his wife Graça Machel, has
offered to host us for a braai – a traditional South Africa barbecue. We will also meet
with Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano.

YOUR IDEAS WANTED

Global Giving Matters aims to present information on best practices and innovations in
philanthropy and social investment around the world. We encourage you to send us:
• Ideas about issues or people you would like to learn more about
• Examples of your own philanthropy
• Comments about this issue.
Write to us at comments@globalgivingmatters.org.
You may also give feedback online at:
www.synergos.org/globalgivingmatters/feedback.htm.

Global Giving Matters does not present solicitations of support for particular initia-
tives or organizations.

January 2002 9