India has the means to help its poorest residents. What it doesn’t have is the fundraising know-how.

By Maj. Gen. Surat Sandhu

Isn’t it ironic that this situation persists when there are plenty of resources around? There is an urgent need to build our fundraising, but we have not invested enough.

The money is there
In India, the NGO sector raises just $600 million a year from a population of more than 1.1 billion. Of this, half goes to the extended family and villages, a quarter to religious institutions, and the balance to NGOs. India’s fundraising market is perhaps one of the most underdeveloped in the world. But even with this meagre amount, the organizations have done a commendable job.