SOURCE OF WEALTH: Arun Bhatia Development Organization
FUNDING AREAS: Education, Indian Causes, Human Services, Arts & Culture
OVERVIEW: Arun Bhatia and his wife Asmita move philanthropy through the Arun I. and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation, which does not have a website, restricting transparency about grantmaking guidelines. This foundation gives modestly, with annual grantmaking mainly staying under the $100,000 mark. Funding supports education and the Indian community.
BACKGROUND: Born into a prominent Indian real estate family, Arun Bhatia attended school in Bombay and then obtained a master's degree in real estate at the University of Wisconsin. He began his real estate career in the late 1970s in New York and is the founder of Arun Bhatia Development Organization.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION: Bhatia supports his alma mater University of Wisconsin at Madison. Other grantees have included Georgetown University, where the couple have supported a South Asian Journalists Association Scholarship; Columbia University; and Advocates for Children of New York.
INDIAN CAUSES: The Bhatias support Akanksha Fund, which works toward reforming India’s education system. They’ve also supported the American India Foundation, Children’s Hope - India, and South Asian Youth Action.
OTHER: The couple also support other causes, including the arts and human services. Grantees have included the Bowery Mission, the Young People's Chorus of New York City, City Harvest and the American Red Cross in Greater New York.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the Bhatias to stick with their support of higher education and Indian causes. It is unclear if they will ramp up their giving in the coming years.
CONTACT:
The Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation does not provide a clear avenue for getting in touch with the couple but below is an address:
Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation
500 W. 43rd St, Apt 39A
New York , NY 10036
LINK: AIB Management Corp.