Washington, Feb 24 (PTI) As many as 25 India focused non-profits have come together on a common, collective platform to make the case for philanthropy channelled towards India's development by organising the first ever India Giving Day.

Being organised under the banner of India Philanthropy Alliance, these top NGO have declared March 2 as the India Giving Day to not only raise funds but also to show a spirt of collaboration and to highlight their common commitment to India's development – irrespective of the specific causes each of these organizations are striving or advocating for.

Also Read | US President Joe Biden Nominates Indian-American Ajay Singh Banga To Lead World Bank.

Some of the top participants in the India Giving Day are Agastya USA, Akanksha Education, Akhand Jyoti USA, American Friends of HelPAge India, American India Foundation, Antara International, Armman, Arogya World, and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (USA).

Also Read | UK Supermarkets Impose Purchase Limit on Fruit and Vegetable Amid Shortage.

“One of the things we're trying to emphasise is not so much the amount of giving, but the number of donations. Because we wanna make sure that the young person who takes from their allowance and gives USD10 feel valued,” Alex Counts, Director of India Philanthropic Alliance, told PTI in an interview.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum has announced its support for the ever India Giving Day.

“75 years ago, India gained independence, that generation gave us an India of new hope – it's time we support them and give them a new sense of hope," USISPF president Mukesh Aghi said in a video message. Aghi is a board member of American Friends of HelpAge India.

A 2018 survey suggested that the Indian diaspora gives about a billion dollars philanthropically annually in the US.

“However, I think that's only the tip of the iceberg. I think it can and will grow to about USD3 billion in the next five to 10 years. One of the things we're trying to do through India Giving Day is to speed that process up and to have that increase in giving, which would be the equivalent of adding entirely a second billion Melinda Gates Foundation, USD2 billion a year,” Counts said.

“I would like to see the Indian diaspora get there quicker, and I'd like to do, have it be more impactful, and I'd like to see it be the giving be done more joyfully,” Counts said. And to observe the 75 years of India's independence, he said that the first USD75 of every donation will be matched up until the point they expend USD25,000.

“75 is taken intentionally to be in honour of India's independence celebration,” he said.

Coinciding with the first ever India Giving Day, IPA chief said multiple on-line and in-person events is being held across the country.

“I'm hoping for thousands of donations, millions of dollars, but it's just a down payment on what we hope for in the future,” Counts said, adding that IPA plans to make it an annual event.

Counts is not of Indian origin but has taken a lead in organising India-focused NGOs to bring them under one umbrella for increased coordination, collaboration and communication to advance their collective mission.

“So that we can hopefully do more together than what we just could do independently, to advance our collective missions, which are really about a poverty free India and an ecologically sound India and contributing to those goals,” he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)