The Indian government has set up a non-profit trust called India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) that allows the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) to contribute towards social initiatives within India. Online monetary contributions can be made for flagship programs like Swachch Bharat, and Clean Ganga.

The NRI has various national sectors to opt from like sanitation, education, women’s empowerment and health care. Alternatively, the IDF-OI gives the option to select a particular initiative that is specific to a State. This could range from providing drinking water and electricity to 33 elementary school districts in Rajasthan to supporting the cause of generating funds for lab equipment and a science lab in Sikkim.  The contributor can either select the whole project or an individual component of the project, either by state or sector of preference.

Initiated with an intent to encourage oversees philanthropy to India, any and all donations are exempt from the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 2010 of Govt. of India. The Online Payment Gateway allows NRIs to conveniently donate via credit or debit cards thus, making it simple and hassle free. No administrative charges are deducted and the entire amount is directed towards the chosen project.  Quarterly reports and periodic visits are organized for donors to view the impact of their contributions.

Programs like this give the Indian diaspora an added platform to engage and give back to the India social sector. If you wish to contribute, you may conveniently donate at https://idfoi.nic.in/contribute.aspx.