The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), a U.S.-based coalition of 21 nonprofit, philanthropic, and charitable organizations focused on India, marks a significant milestone with the launch of their 5th Annual Youth Essay Competition. The competition originated in the spring of 2020, just months after the public launch of IPA, as a way to encourage philanthropic thought and action among middle and high school youth. Engaging young people in philanthropic endeavors has been a core intention of the IPA since its inception. Now in its fifth year, the essay competition has proven to be an effective first step in a journey of discovery and engagement for youth, uniting bright young minds with organizations at the forefront of development and poverty alleviation in India. 

In their essays, students are invited to select a developmental issue that they believe to be among the most important issues facing India today, and define ways in which we can all be part of the solution. This year, students are asked to delve into India’s untold narratives, to uncover and amplify the less visible yet crucial issues affecting India. Essays will be evaluated based on relevance and originality as well as the research provided and solutions offered. The deadline for youth to submit their essays is July 1, 2024. 

Those who submit the winning essays will be invited to speak at a national gathering of philanthropists, business leaders, and nonprofit executives. Winners will also be able to direct a $1,000 grant to the charity of their choice; and runners-up will be able to direct a $500 grant to the charity of their choice.

 This announcement follows close on the heels of IPA’s highly successful India Giving Day.

 “The synergy of the Youth Essay Competition and India Giving Day came together in a profound way this year,” says Alex Counts, Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance. “For the past four years, the essay competition has created an inroad into the world of philanthropic thought and action. This year India Giving Day provided the vehicle for engaged youth to take action on behalf of the 33 organizations that were participating in the campaign.”

India Giving Day is the largest campaign led by IPA, and just completed its second year with an impressive $5.5 million raised from 1,770 unique donors. As part of this year’s campaign, IPA introduced a Youth Leadership Council, which was added to an impressive listing of national co-chairs, ambassadors, and steering committee. Fourteen young people, half of whom were past winners of the essay competition, joined forces to volunteer their time through fundraising, campaign promotion, hosting awareness events, and assisting participating nonprofits as needed. 

The Youth Leadership Council was led by Melvin Joseph, a finalist in last year’s competition who has served as an IPA intern since he was notified of his win last August. “Being the team leader for the Youth Leadership Council was a unique and fulfilling experience,” says Melvin. “It was wonderful to collaborate with like-minded young people, all working to achieve a tangible impact in India. The whole experience was both exciting and empowering.” 

The Youth Essay Competition is sponsored by Sarva Mangal Family Trust and Sehgal Foundation. About the Youth Essay Competition The inaugural Youth Essay Competition was launched in 2020 as a way to inspire philanthropic thought and action among today’s youth and generate future leaders with a commitment to serve the common good. The competition is open to middle and high school youth who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and challenges them to identify the most pressing issues facing India today and propose ways in which we can be a part of the solution.

About the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) The IPA (http://www.indiaphilanthropyalliance.org) is a coalition of nonprofit, philanthropic and charitable organizations that mobilize people and funding in the United States (and elsewhere) for development and poverty-reduction programs in India. The twenty-one core network organizations include Agastya USA, Akanksha Education Fund, Akshaya Patra, American India Foundation, Antara International, Arogya World, Avanti Fellows, Children’s Hope India, CRY America, Community Pure Water, Foundation for Excellence (FFE), Indiaspora, Lotus Petal Foundation, Planet Read, Pratham USA, Project ECHO, Sehgal Foundation, Teach for India U.S., Vicente Ferrer Foundation, VisionSpring, and WISH Foundation.

For any questions, please contact Peg Fourre, Deputy Director of India Philanthropy Alliance at peg@indiaphilanthropyalliance.org