TPI’s Center for Global Philanthropy to Direct New US-Nepal Fund at the Boston Foundation

Center for Global Philanthropy at The Philanthropic Initiative to direct funds to grassroots Nepali organizations

BOSTON, MA (Monday, May 18, 2015) – The Center for Global Philanthropy at The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) today announced the establishment of the The US-Nepal Fund at the Boston Foundation, a unique donor advised fund that will draw from the wisdom of Nepali Americans and international development experts to assist grassroots Nepali organizations caring for the victims of the earthquakes which struck Nepal on April 25 and May 12. Nepali involvement will ensure cultural competence, provide needed networks, and lend crucial expertise to ensure every dollar sent goes to organizations that can have the greatest impact locally. All funds raised will support community-led, long-term reconstruction and renewal with attention to human rights.

The April 25 earthquake in Nepal killed more than 8,000 people, injured thousands and left millions homeless and without food and clean water. With a 7.9 magnitude and an epicenter just 50 miles from the nation’s capital, Kathmandu, this was the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in more than 80 years, causing mass destruction and ruin for millions of Nepalese people. Little more than two weeks later, on May 12 Nepal suffered another 7.3 magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks.

The US-Nepal Fund is seeded by a challenge grant from donors of the Boston Foundation community, Karen Keating Ansara and Jim Ansara. The Ansaras, long-time grant makers to Nepal, will match the first $100,000 in gifts from other funders. The fund will accept money from donors across the US, and distribute all funds by December 2015. All donations will support reconstruction and renewal efforts, as administrative fees will be covered through the initial grant.

“There is tremendous need right now to respond to this disaster and the subsequent earthquake and aftershocks of May 12,” said Maggi Alexander, Partner, Center for Global Philanthropy at TPI. “While many are donating in the short term to quell immediate needs in the aftermath, Nepali citizens will need ongoing long-term support to recover from the earthquakes. The US-Nepal Fund allows us to direct funds strategically and quickly, in a six-month period. Contributions from our donors can have immediate impact in assisting long-term, community-led reconstruction efforts.”

The US-Nepal Fund will draw on lessons learned through The Haiti Fund and the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund. “Lessons from Haiti have taught us how essential philanthropy is to a natural disaster response effort,” said Karen Ansara. “We saw foreign aid pledges committed, but often not fulfilled. We also learned that engaging a country’s US diaspora is so important when responding to an immediate crisis. The diaspora of any country is one of its most priceless resources,” she said. “They have the passion, they have the staying power, and they often have tremendous technical expertise.”