Since 1991 the local nonprofit Asian Indian Women’s Organization has been assisting with raising funds for other nonprofit organizations. Current AIWO president Dr. Richa Pandey said she has been involved with the organization since 2016 and became a member in 2018. She served as secretary from 2021 to 2023 and then stepped into the role of president. Pandey said, “What I really admire about AIWO is how hard everyone works as volunteers to give back to a community that has given us so much.”
The group’s focus includes food security, education and awareness, service and giving, fundraising for global causes and youth engagement. The AIWO launched a micropantry project raising more than $7,600 to stock and support 17 local micropantries. Through its sip and learn series, the group hosted talks on mental health, preventive health, cybersecurity and sustainability to empower community members with knowledge and practical tools. Other projects have included donating 200 pounds of cereal to the Central Illinois Foodbank, collecting 120 coats and toys for Contact Ministries and providing self-care baskets to Sojourn Shelter & Services to support survivors of domestic violence.
The AIWO’s Color Me Holi 5K celebration raised $17,000 for Share the Spirit Foundation, which buys shoes for at-risk kids in the Springfield school district. It also provided funds to the Blind Foundation for India. AIWO hosted a heartfelt Seva and Shanti lunch in Chatham, raising $13,000 in response to the April 28 YNOT community tragedy.
India Night, to be held Nov. 8, draws the most support and this year’s proceeds will support Compass for Kids. The organization has an ambitious goal of raising $200,000 at the event, which will feature cultural performances, an auction, a vibrant bazaar and delicious cuisine.
Pandy said Compass for Kids’ mission closely aligns with AIWO’s values of service, education and empowering the next generation.
“Compass provides after-school and summer programs that support children in Springfield, especially those facing poverty and adversity, with mentoring, meals, academic support and life skills,” she said. “We were inspired by the way Compass for Kids is breaking cycles and creating brighter futures. Partnering with them felt like the perfect way to ensure that the impact of India Night goes directly toward helping local children thrive.”
Sarah Oglesby, Compass for Kids’ chief operating officer, said her organization has admired the work of AIWO for several years. “We’ve seen the impact they’ve made in the Springfield community, and we know they share our passion for supporting children and families. In 2023, we had the opportunity to attend India Night when AIWO raised funds for Wooden It Be Lovely.”
Besides the financial benefit of being selected, Oglesby said it’s also about visibility and partnership. “Asian Indian Women’s Organization brings together a community of passionate, generous people and by being the focus of their event, Compass for Kids is able to share our mission with an even wider audience. That kind of awareness helps us build long-term sustainability, attract new volunteers and supporters and deepen our impact for kids in Springfield.”
India Night funds will support Club Compass, Camp Compass and the Youth Leadership Development Program. Oglesby said the loss of millions of dollars in pandemic-era Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Funds has affected the organization’s ability to reach kids. That funding once allowed more than 900 children to attend Camp Compass over the summer, nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 2024. This year they could only serve 340 children.
“With the support of India Night, we aim to sustain and gradually expand our high-quality programming so that more children have access to the opportunities, resources and support that Compass provides,” she said.
Expanding efforts and involvement is also a target for AIWO. “One of AIWO’s greatest challenges,” said Pandey, “has been balancing the demands of busy personal and professional lives with the time and effort it takes to volunteer and organize impactful programs. Another challenge is making sure we continue to engage the next generation so that our mission of service and cultural exchange stays strong for years to come. Despite these challenges, the dedication of our members has allowed AIWO to not only sustain but grow, and that resilience is something we are very proud of.”
Seeing the impact of their efforts has been rewarding and memorable, said Pandey, and they have been fortunate to experience many positive and inspiring moments.
“Whether it’s watching a child jump with joy after getting a new pair of shoes, seeing the wonder on faces during Holi color play, watching the women at MERCY Communities and Wooden It Be Lovely flourish, supporting the growth of St. John’s NICU, stocking Springfield area micropantries or witnessing the global impact our members have created through initiatives like Breath for India, each experience has left a lasting mark,” she said. “The collection of these moments is what makes AIWO so special and reminds us of the real difference we can make together.”
For more information visit asianindianwomensorganization.com. Tickets to the Nov. 8 India Night event can be purchased online: compassforkids.org/india-night-2025-tickets
This article appears in October SBJ 2025.