Mumbai: United Way International is a "not-for-profit" organisation that helps multinational companies and foundations to build caring societies through philanthropic involvement. At present there are 3,000 United Way organisations in 41 countries. United Way of Mumbai (UWM) was launched on 2 July 2002.

At a special function organised at The American Centre, Mahindra and Mahindra chairman Keshub Mahindra, a well-known philanthropist, released the scope of activities for UWM. Mahindra is a member of the governing board of UWM along with 11 other representatives of the corporate world.

Sanjay Sachdev of IDBI-Principal, who is also the chairman of the governing board of UWM, also announced the maiden grant of US $200,000 (Rs 95 lakh) from Ford Foundation. Says Sachdev: "We are grateful to Ford Foundation for allotting these initial funds to UWM. The governing board will now assess and determine how to use this amount optimally as grant towards the development sector and various non-government organisations."

From left to right: Dominic Price, JP Morgan; Sunil Mehta, AIG; David Good, consul-general, US; Sanjay Sachdeva, IDBI Principal; Jairaj Purandare, Arthur Anderson; Keshub Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra; Mihir Doshi, JM Morgan Stanley Securities Ltd; Jasu Shah, Fisher-Rosemount (India) Ltd.

UWM aims to cater to a quantum of social and economic needs by effectively channelising investments and funds in the social sector. Mumbais vibrant voluntary sector and citizens have over the years been quick to respond to the citys social and economic challenges through a number of well-planned schemes and projects.

UWM intends to raise funds from individuals, corporations and the donor sector to meet human service needs of the community. It also aims to play an effective intermediary between corporate and development sectors by promoting corporate social responsibility. UWM is already in discussion with various NGOs and aims to work very closely with them to help them achieve their objectives and mission and to work out a methodology to evaluate their plans and activities.

UWM reasons to build a meaningful partnership between government, corporate sector and NGOs. UWM will implement its worldwide practice of channelising resources from a variety of funding sources to a spectrum of NGOs and other civil society groups. It will work with these organisations to catalyse the flow of human and financial capital to the development sector and leverage the funds available in the optimum possible way.