Since its foundation in 1968 by a group of visionary Indian American professors at U.C.
Berkeley, Indians for Collective Action (ICA) has been a catalyst for change, both in India
and the United States. As a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit, ICA is dedicated to fostering
a just society, a sustainable environment, and a secure life for all. Over the decades, ICA
has supported and incubated pioneering social enterprises such as Asha for Education and the
Foundation for Excellence. These initiatives, along with numerous others, have collectively
disbursed over $24.2 million, mostly in the last decade, aiding innovative community-led
development projects across more than 20 states in India and critical initiatives in the
U.S. This extensive engagement is driven by ICA's deep-rooted connections and enduring
commitment to India's developmental landscape, reflecting over four decades of impactful
collaboration with dedicated social workers and activists.
Looking to the future, ICA is reimagining its approach to social engagement through the
creation of an open-source platform that aims to bridge the gap between US professionals and
social enterprises in India. This platform is designed to empower social sectors by
leveraging the professional skills of individuals who have honed their expertise in various
industries, from startups and energy to semiconductors and healthcare. Recent collaborations
have included partnerships with leading organizations like SEWA, where U.S. professionals
found that their greatest contribution was not in creating new models, but in enhancing the
capacity of existing ones. ICA believes in utilizing human-centric design and professional
skills to foster competitive and compassionate social operations, aiming to fill critical
skill gaps within these organizations temporarily, until they can develop their own internal
capacities. This strategic approach is not just about providing interim solutions; it's
about building enduring social leadership that can sustainably address core challenges such
as poverty alleviation, community health, women's empowerment, and environmental
sustainability.
