Under the historic arches of Grace Cathedral, the American India Foundation (AIF) commemorated 25 years of service raising more than $2.6 million to accelerate social mobility and poverty alleviation across India.
The milestone San Francisco gala on April 11, themed “Legacy of Leadership,” honored AIF co-founder Lata Krishnan. Born in India and an alumna of the London School of Economics, Krishnan represents the bridge between her heritage and her trailblazing career in Silicon Valley.
In 2001, she helped establish AIF following the devastating Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, turning a moment of crisis into a multi-decade mission that has now impacted 21 million lives.
“Giving, at its core, is a deep, pervasive spirit, one that is woven into everyday life,” Krishnan said as she accepted the Legacy of Leadership Award. She emphasized that the organization’s scale belongs to the collective diaspora community, noting, “That achievement doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to all of us.”
The evening’s fundraising was bolstered by a record-breaking pledge drive that secured $1.4 million of the total. These funds are designated for AIF’s core pillars: public health, education, and livelihoods.
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To illustrate this impact, the program spotlighted Pushpanjali Majhi, a young woman from rural India. Originally a migrant child supported by AIF’s Learning and Migration Program (LAMP), Majhi broke the cycle of intergenerational poverty by becoming a college graduate and a teacher, marking the first instance of formal employment in her family’s history.
Nishant Pandey, CEO of AIF, described Krishnan as a “magnet” for purpose-driven leadership. “It is because of her leadership that AIF is stronger today than when it began,” Pandey told the audience of tech executives and community leaders.
The gala drew significant support from underwriters including WestBridge Capital and Sumir Chadha, alongside patrons like the Wadhwani Foundation.
Since its inception, the secular organization has expanded its reach to 35 states and union territories in India, strengthening the bond between the world’s two largest democracies.
As AIF enters its next quarter-century, the San Francisco event underscores the sustained commitment of the Indian American community to fostering dignity and opportunity in their home country.