The leading philanthropic organization dedicated to poverty alleviation in India, the American India Foundation (AIF) announced the Houston-based nonprofit organization Ek Disha Foundation (EDF) will join AIF in its work toward a poverty-free India and become its new Houston chapter.

For more than fifteen years, AIF has been at the forefront of poverty alleviation in India, impacting the lives of 3.1 million of India’s poor to live successful, productive lives. Ek Disha Foundation has been working to create well-being and opportunities for the underserved in India for more than a decade by funding, supporting, and mentoring high-impact sustainable projects in the areas of health, education, and enterprise.

“In an era when the humanitarian sector continues to fragment, our alliance with Ek Disha Foundation and its excellent track record moves in the directions of collaboration, consolidation and synergy,” remarked AIF President and CEO Alex Counts. “American India Foundation is proud to have EDF join us as our Houston chapter and become part of our growing national network of volunteer leaders.  We will carry forward EDF’s proud traditions just as they will help us advance our bold poverty reduction goals.”

Ek Disha and its network of philanthropists and volunteers in Houston will become the eleventh chapter in the AIF network—alongside offices in New York and California, country operations in Delhi, and programs positively transforming lives across 23 states in India at a regional, national, and international scale.

“Our work these past ten years at the Ek Disha Foundation has led to a reinforced belief that working with organizations on the ground can improve development effectiveness,” Ek Disha President Swati Narayan said. “It is with that belief that we have joined efforts with the American India Foundation to amplify our ability to affect change for the marginalized and underserved populations in the Indian subcontinent.”

AIF and EDF have signed a definitive agreement, and EDF will operate and formally be known as AIF’s Houston chapter once the transaction closes. The inaugural AIF Houston Gala is scheduled for November 4, 2017.

About the American India Foundation

The American India Foundation is committed to catalyzing social and economic change in India, and building a lasting bridge between the United States and India through high-impact interventions in education, livelihoods, public health, and leadership development. Working closely with local communities, AIF partners with NGOs to develop and test innovative solutions and with governments to create and scale sustainable impact. Founded in 2001 at the initiative of President Bill Clinton following a suggestion from Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee, AIF has impacted the lives of 3.1 million of India’s poor. Learn more at www.AIF.org

About Ek Disha Foundation

Ek Disha Foundation creates and fosters well-being and opportunities for the underserved and economically disadvantaged in India by funding, mentoring, and supporting high-impact, sustainable projects in health, education, and enterprise. Since its inception, EDF has partnered with more than twenty NGOs and impacted 140,000 lives. Rick Pal, Founder and current Treasurer of EDF, along with several EDF Board members will continue their leadership and work as part of the AIF Houston chapter.

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