Indian Americans are reshaping the landscape of U.S. higher education through their extraordinary generosity, contributing over $3 billion since 2008, according to new research by Indiaspora. Building on the insights of the 2024 Impact Report by Indiaspora and the Boston Consulting Group, this study highlights how Indian Americans are using philanthropy to give back to the institutions that shaped their success.
These contributions go beyond mere donations—they represent a legacy of gratitude and vision. Many Indian Americans attribute their professional growth to the educational opportunities they received in the U.S. and are now ensuring that future generations benefit from the same. Currently, around 270,000 Indian students are studying in American universities, collectively adding nearly $10 billion to the U.S. economy each year and supporting around 93,000 local jobs.
The community’s educational commitment is deeply rooted. About 78% of Indian Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—nearly double the national average. This emphasis on learning is mirrored in their philanthropic choices, with donations supporting key disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and business. For instance, Desh Deshpande’s $20 million contribution to MIT in 2002 created a center that fuels innovation and technological breakthroughs. Similarly, Indra Nooyi’s historic $50 million donation to Yale School of Management ranks among the most significant business school gifts in history.
Other impactful benefactors include Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon, whose $100 million gift to New York University transformed its engineering school, and Dr. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, who have strengthened medical education in Florida through major endowments. Contributions also extend to cultural programs—about $140 million has gone into preserving Indian heritage, exemplified by Sumir Chadha’s gift to Princeton University that founded the Chadha Center for Global India.
According to Indiaspora’s Founder, M.R. Rangaswami, these acts of giving reflect a larger commitment to American society, supporting students and communities across all backgrounds. Executive Director Sanjeev Joshipura adds that this enduring culture of philanthropy is not only transforming education today but is also building a lasting legacy of innovation and leadership for generations to come.
