United States Delegate to India, a Funraiser's Journey

My Journey as a

United States Delegate to

INDIArepresenting

Professional Fundraisers

Peter ZehrenFebruary 2010

We visited several NGOs to share "best practices."

           Changing the lives of India's disadvantaged children.                ~ Deepalaya

Indiaa land of contrastsof great wealth and povertyeducation and ignorance... the passion and inspirationwe bore witness towill inspire the delegationas we sharehow one person can trulymake a difference.

 Visiting Deepalaya in Delhi

Fundraising is all about building relationships face to face. The open market in Delhi reflects the culture’s more personal way of commerce.

 The value of an   education is not 

 seen by many  young men.

 They "hang out"  in the streets  waiting for their  mandatory stint  in the service   before starting  a trade or job.

Congestion in Old Delhi makes it difficult to travel by any other means than foot or bicycle carriage.

United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEDF)

I enjoyed an intense conversation about education in today's global environment and the need for change.

India is Calling MePeter Zehren 2/17/10  India called me todaythrough an eight year oldwho could not say  wheremy country was, but called me sir, through her streets of dustwhere even men in business suitspee beside green metro stairswhere sari wrapped women climb to be heads of organizationsthat mother orphansand nurture the forgotten.Today I was called to stand    

and examine my professionalongside my colleagues at the cusp of a revolution infundraising—I’ve been here before. For 30 years, with no training,we forged a path, laid the foundation to reach out and help a country bursting with potential. India called me todayand, as a fundraiser, I mustanswer children of a new age,succumb to passion, and assist.

The conversations, experiences and exchange of ideas between the delegation and NGO leaders in India will help shape a global concept of fundraising "best practices."

 I'm proud to be a part of this continuing effort.

Peter ZehrenUS India Delegation, 2010