Kolkata Gives provides platform for HNIs and NGOs

Over 1,000 high net worth individuals, corporates have been sent invitations for opening event of Kolkata Gives on Sunday

It is often the case that high net worth individuals and corporates struggle to find the right avenue to do philanthropic work. The case with many NGOs is also similar as they scout hard to get adequate funding for their respective programmes.

One of the prime reason for such a demand-supply gap is deficiency of trust and credibility between the two parties.

Thus the concept of Kolkata Gives was born. Over 20 high net worth individuals and corporates have created a platform, which looks to bridge the gap between the NGOs and people willing to donate.

Kolkata Gives, however, is not registered as company or association so far.

The idea to come up with such a platform had gained ground almost five years ago, says Mudar Patherya, one of the architects of Kolkata Gives. The platform has some big names on board. Emami co founder R S Agarwal and RS Goenka are part of the initiative among other big names from Kolkata.

“I have been thinking about this for a long time and after I pitched the idea to my friends and corporates in the city everybody gave a nod to such a unique platform. So Kolkata Gives was born. We have strict criteria via which we have selected 22 NGOs,” he said.

On the other hand, over 1,000 HNIs and corporates have been sent invitations for the opening event of Kolkata Gives on Sunday, which is expected to garner a string response.

The selected NGOs are well disbursed into different field of special requirements such as mental disorder, child trafficking, education, HIV AIDS etc.

“We are sure we want to make this credible and transparent so NGO selection had its own set of criteria such as credible balance sheet, hunger to grow, sectoral potential and of course, professionalism,” adds Patherya.

To make sure transparency and ethical commitment remain high, the number of selected NGOs might get slashed if one is found to be lacking in any of the mentioned criteria, indicates Patherya.While Kolkata Gives comes out as a unique platform, it also serves as an eye opener for the younger generation. Jyoti Sonthalia, part of the initiative tells this is high time one has to start giving back to the society.

“We must give back to society. Another most important thing which comes out if the event is the fact that it sends across a message to younger generation to be giving and be helpful to the underprivileged,” adds Sonthalia.