India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians
The India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) is a not for profit Trust established to serve as a credible institutional avenue to enable overseas Indians to engage in philanthropy to supplement India’s social development efforts. IDF-OI channelises the philanthropic propensities and resources of the overseas Indian community into national development and social projects.
The Trust has a two-tier structure comprising the Board of Trustees and the Executive Directorate. The Foundation is chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs.
The broad objectives of the Trust are:
- Lead overseas Indian philanthropy into India and facilitate partnerships through single window facilitation and by building philanthropic partnerships.
- Establish and maintain a ‘Social Capital and Philanthropy Network’ on India that can provide a list of credible institutions, projects and programmes.
- Function as a clearing house for all philanthropy related information on India.
- Partner with and encourage credible philanthropic organisations in the sectors that best match need based philanthropy.
- Promote accountability and ‘good practices’ in overseas Indian philanthropy.
IDF-OI is partnering with international, national and state level NGOs as well as State Governments and local self government institutions, for effective implementation. 33 NGOs (Non- Governmental Organizations who are FCRA approved by MHA) from 7 States have officially confirmed their participation to IDF- OI with their projects. These projects cover a wide gamut of activities such as skills development, local self governance, education for children, health initiatives, sustainable agriculture and livelihood creation, vocational training programmes, programmes for visually challenged and differently abled children among others. Besides these, State Govts have also confirmed their participation to IDF-OI. Since 2011, IDF-OI has helped in channelizing contributions from overseas donors towards social development projects in Assam, Rajasthan and Gujarat in the areas of water conservation, rainwater harvesting, educating and mainstreaming differently abled children, women’s education and sustainable livelihood.
