Indian diaspora philanthropy in Australia: an under-recognised force for giving 

The Indian diaspora is one of Australia’s fastest-growing, youngest and most economically active migrant communities. With close to one million people identifying as having Indian ancestry, high levels of education, strong workforce participation and growing leadership across business and civic life, Indian-Australians represent a significant – and significantly overlooked – philanthropic community. 

They are also part of a much bigger picture; as recently profiled in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, India’s global diaspora now numbers more than 35 million people across 200 countries, the largest in history.

Indian-origin leaders sit at the helm of some of the world’s most valuable companies, and the diaspora collectively earns more than US$730 billion a year. International networks such as Indiaspora, which now operates dedicated hubs in the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore and most recently, Australia, are actively channelling that influence into global philanthropy and social impact. 

To better understand how this dynamic plays out at home, Myriad Australia commissioned Per Capita to undertake the first dedicated study of Indian diaspora philanthropy in Australia.

A strong foundation of generosity

The findings show a community in which giving is woven into everyday life. Generosity is shaped by faith, family, moral duty and a deep sense of community responsibility – rather than by tax incentives. That’s not to say tax incentives are not an important driver, rather it points to a community that is not engaged in structured philanthropy. Many donors also do not self-identify as philanthropists, even when they give regularly and substantially. 

Religious and cultural traditions sit at the heart of this culture of giving. Encouraging more philanthropy in the Indian-Australian community begins with celebrating its cultural diversity and revitalising the deep-rooted traditions of service that have been passed down through generations.

A scale that is often invisible 

Much Indian-Australian giving flows through informal and community-based channels such as remittances, religious institutions, cultural events, festival celebrations and trusted personal networks.  

Because so much of this generosity sits outside formal philanthropic infrastructure, its scale, impact and potential are routinely underestimated. Globally, Indian diaspora philanthropy is booming, alongside the more than US$138 billion in annual remittances flowing back to India. Australia’s slice of that story is real and growing. But, as the research suggests, only a fraction is currently visible to the formal philanthropic sector. 

Lessons from a global movement 

What is happening internationally points to where Australia could go next. The United States is home to the largest, longest-established Indian diaspora in the West, and structured giving by Indian-Americans has matured rapidly, supported by a dense ecosystem of giving circles, community foundations, peer networks and platforms such as the India Philanthropy Alliance. Experienced diaspora donors in the US are far more likely to set giving budgets, work to a strategy and use formal vehicles than those at earlier stages of their journey. 

Australia’s Indian diaspora could be described as the “new kid on the block” relative to those in the US, UK and Canada, but it is on a steep growth trajectory. Numbers are projected to more than double over the next two decades. The opportunity to learn from comparable ecosystems offshore, and to design something distinctively Australian from the outset, is significant. 

A clear opportunity for the sector 

Alongside this strong foundation, the research surfaces both the barriers that hold Indian-Australian philanthropy back from realising its full potential and the levers that could help unlock it. The research shows Indian-Australians are willing to give, but they need trusted, culturally resonant pathways that bridge knowledge gaps between informal generosity and structured philanthropy. 

There is a real appetite, particularly among more experienced donors, to give more strategically. Meeting that appetite will require the philanthropic sector to think differently about how it engages diaspora communities: working with cultural traditions rather than around them, partnering with trusted community voices and designing infrastructure that feels authentic to the people it is built for. 

A new chapter for Australian philanthropy 

The Indian-Australian community’s scale, economic capacity, deep traditions of generosity and connection to a 35-million-strong global network represent one of the most significant and most overlooked opportunities in Australian philanthropy today. With the right partnerships, this everyday generosity can evolve into strategic, high-impact giving that strengthens communities both here and abroad. 

At Myriad Australia, we see our role as that of an enabler and connector. Helping align cultural generosity with effective philanthropic practice and helping Australian philanthropy plug into the global diaspora story. We are continuing to share the insights from this research with members of the community, sector partners and prospective donors through targeted conversations. To learn more or explore how to engage, we welcome you to get in touch with the Myriad Australia team.

In this week’s Giving News sector resources, we have included a link to the The 16th edition of the India Philanthropy Report highlights how strengthening philanthropic infrastructure and mobilising family wealth and private giving will be critical to closing India’s social funding gap and driving long-term impact.

About the author: Anita Toy is the Executive Director at Myriad Australia. Myriad Australia is an international non-profit based in Melbourne that serves as a strategic partner and ally for philanthropy, supporting Australian individuals, corporates and not-for-profits to give effectively across borders. 

Image source:  Devansh Bose (Pexels)