Our Story
IFA was started in 1993 by a group of Indian Americans in Southern California after the devastating Latur earthquake. Concerned about the red tape and corruption involved in charity work, they wanted to explore direct avenues for sending their support. The resulting success of this endeavor and the satisfaction received encouraged them to make a long-term commitment.
The group has since evolved into a solid organization with a well-thought-out charter and clear philosophy. IFA is designed to function as a catalyst in activities that promote the economic empowerment of and self-sufficiency for India’s most underprivileged populations. Increasingly, it is seen by the diaspora as a vehicle to channel their energies and resources into bringing about positive change in India.
Our Logo
There is an old tale many of us grew up with from the Panchatantra. The tale tells of a hungry flock of pigeons that were traveling in search of food. One day, the flock saw plenty of grain strewn on the ground, and they immediately flew down to have a meal. On landing, they found they were caught in a hunter’s trap and many grew disheartened as a net closed in around them. One pigeon, however, told them not to lose courage. She asked them to all fly up at once—together. The pigeons did as she asked, and were delighted to find that together they were able to rise in the net and get away.
The tale continues on and tells of how the pigeons flew to their mouse friend’s home, where the mouse brought his family out to chew the net and free the pigeons. It is a simple tale that for many of us served as a childhood bedtime story, but which, with time, grew to remind us of the power of unity. At the core of all that we do at IFA is a firm belief and understanding that we are stronger together. We seek to uplift India’s underprivileged or, metaphorically speaking, to help them spread their wings and soar. In the spirit of growth, nearly 30 years after our organization’s inception, we at IFA decided it was time for a change. As an ode to this story that embodies our goals, we have chosen wings as our symbol.
Logo designed by Tanvi Pati (Portfolio: www.tanvipati.com).
Founding Members
An old photo featuring several of IFA’s many founding members pictured at one of our very first Archana events (1997).