HISTORY

India Development Service (IDS) is founded in 1974 by a small group of Indians in Chicago who were concerned about the misfortune of their fellow Indians in their home country. IDS was created to support economic and social development in India and began by organizing conferences and seminars with the aim of educating expatriated Indians in how to setup businesses in India in order to stimulate economic development.

At a conference in Chicago in 1976, Dr. E.F. Schumacher, distinguished British economist and author of “Small is Beautiful,” inspired IDS members to reexamine their approach to development. Through his presentation, IDS members began to realize they needed to readjust their approach and focus on people in need.

Over the last 50 years, IDS has supported over 270 projects across 18+ states, impacting the lives of over 5 million people through initiatives in education, job training, micro-finance lending, health care, and agricultural support.

At the very outset, IDS recognized the validity of different development strategies and believed in their common goal to empower socio-economically disadvantaged groups.

Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers who believe in the mission of IDS and have supported the organization over the past 50 years.