Bellingcat report says US donor-advised funds sent about US$24 million to Ekal USA and Sewa USA
Bellingcat reported that donor-advised funds such as Fidelity Charitable and DAFgiving360 sent large sums to two US Hindu charities it describes as RSS-linked.
- Bellingcat
Bellingcat reported that donor-advised funds such as Fidelity Charitable and DAFgiving360 sent large sums to two US Hindu charities it describes as RSS-linked. Sewa USA said it "does not operate as a branch or affiliate of the RSS".
Ekal USA and the RSS did not respond. These are findings of a single investigative outlet that wire services had not yet picked up.
Key data
According to Bellingcat, for 2020 to 2024 Ekal USA received US$48.4 million, at least US$8.3 million of it via DAFs, and Sewa USA received US$69.4 million, at least US$16 million via DAFs.
Why it matters
The report could bring regulatory and media scrutiny to fundraising by US Hindu diaspora groups, including Ekal's village-school network in India.
GK: did you know?
Ekal Vidyalaya runs one-teacher schools in tribal and rural villages.
