Origin

GRAVIS USA is a US based non-profit Foundation that was founded in 2019 by a group of individuals with an aim to support community development initiatives in rural India. The organization has close alignment with the vision and mission of GRAVIS, a Non-Governmental Organization registered in India, working for over 37 years towards rural development. 

Vision 

To sustain integrated rural development in India that improves living conditions of people living under poverty

Mission

GRAVIS USA facilitates rural development and poverty alleviation in India through sustainable interventions, innovative approaches and direct community engagement.

Objectives

GRAVIS USA intends to support projects focusing on

• Improving water availability among communities in need

• Enhance availability of food and nutrition and raise incomes of people living under poverty

• Improve health status of rural communities 

• Spread education among rural children with a greater focus on girls

• Research and advocacy related to community development 

• Mobilize and train Community Based Organizations 

Board 

All board members of GRAVIS USA are volunteers and receive no compensation.

Anil Lal, President

Anil Lal is a noted entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is based in the Bay Area and over his long time association with social causes, has supported a number of charities and philanthropic efforts. At GRAVIS USA Board, he serves as the President. 

Roopa Balasubramanian, Vice-President

Roopa Balasubramanian is a software engineer living and working in the Bay Area. She and her family have had a long association with social causes and community development. At GRAVIS USA Board, she serves as the Vice-President.

Deepak Sharma, Secretary

Deepak Sharma is a nephrologist based in Wisconsin. With his origin in India, Deepak has direct connectivity with community needs and causes in India and has been a supporter of GRAVIS project over a long period. He is the Secretary of GRAVIS USA Board. 

Hayden Kantor, Treasurer

Hayden Kantor is the Treasurer of GRAVIS USA. He is a Lecturer in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University. He has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Cornell University with a focus on food and farming in India. He has been associated with GRAVIS since 2005, when he was a Research Associate. He is the author of two reports about GRAVIS's work: Sitting on One Carpet examines GRAVIS's experience setting up Village Development Committees. The Story of GRAVIS is a history of the first twenty-five years of organization.

Please see our 501 (C) (3) confirmation letter