3 Indian Americans in 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list

🌍💙 Several Indian American leaders have been recognized on TIME magazine’s 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list, highlighting the growing global influence of the Indian diaspora in shaping the future of charitable giving, nonprofit innovation, and large-scale social impact initiatives.

Among those honored were Rajiv J. Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, Deepak Bhargava, president of Freedom Together, and Anna Verghese, executive director of The Audacious Project — all recognized for leading major philanthropic efforts focused on global development, economic justice, healthcare, democracy, and social change.

The annual TIME100 Philanthropy list celebrates philanthropists, nonprofit executives, activists, and public leaders who are driving transformative impact through strategic giving and community-focused initiatives. The 2026 edition reflects how philanthropy is increasingly becoming interconnected with public policy, climate resilience, education, healthcare access, and grassroots empowerment across the world.

Rajiv J. Shah, the first Indian American to lead the Rockefeller Foundation, was recognized for expanding initiatives focused on global health, food security, climate resilience, and economic opportunity. Shah previously served as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Obama administration and has become one of the most prominent Indian American voices in international development and humanitarian policy.

TIME highlighted Shah’s emphasis on collaboration between governments, scientists, entrepreneurs, and faith-based organizations to tackle global challenges. Under his leadership, the Rockefeller Foundation has expanded investments in public health systems, climate adaptation, and equitable economic development programs in vulnerable communities worldwide.

Deepak Bhargava was honored for his leadership at Freedom Together, one of the largest progressive grant-making organizations in the United States. Bhargava has spent decades working in labor organizing, immigrant rights advocacy, racial equity initiatives, and economic justice movements. TIME recognized his efforts directing philanthropic funding toward protecting democracy, supporting marginalized communities, and strengthening civic engagement during a period of growing political and social polarization in America.

Anna Verghese was also recognized for her role leading The Audacious Project, a philanthropic platform created by TED that helps large-scale nonprofit ideas secure transformational funding. The initiative has reportedly mobilized more than $8 billion in unrestricted multi-year funding for global projects focused on education, climate, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and social innovation.

Verghese emphasized the importance of collaborative philanthropy, where donors and institutions work together to fund ambitious long-term solutions instead of isolated short-term projects. Her recognition reflects the growing shift toward data-driven, scalable philanthropy models designed to create systemic global change.

The inclusion of multiple Indian Americans on the TIME100 Philanthropy list also highlights the broader rise of Indian diaspora leadership in global nonprofit networks, international development, and strategic philanthropy. Indian American leaders are increasingly shaping conversations around education reform, climate policy, public health, social justice, and humanitarian innovation not only in the United States, but across the world.

The recognition arrives at a time when diaspora-driven philanthropy is rapidly expanding in scale and influence. Reports published over the past year show Indian American charitable giving has surged dramatically, with younger generations of donors increasingly supporting impact-focused organizations, community-driven solutions, and technology-enabled global initiatives.

TIME first introduced the TIME100 Philanthropy list in 2025 to spotlight influential figures transforming the future of charitable giving and nonprofit leadership. The growing representation of Indian Americans on the list reflects how diaspora communities are becoming central players in shaping the next era of global philanthropy and social impact. 🌎✨