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History and Inspirational Journey

During a visit to India in the summer of 1989, a few of the followers of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) were fortunate enough to receive the blessings of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal. In their meeting with him, they came to know of the growing desire of many Indians living in the U.S and Canada to contribute to the social and charitable causes undertaken by the Peetam. In order to enable these devotees to identify and support these causes, Sri Jayendra Sarswati Swamigal stressed the importance of establishing a non-profit organization in the U.S.

The mission of this organization was to be three fold. First, it would seek to educate the devotees in the U.S. and to spread the word about the various charitable activities operated under the auspices of the Peetam. Second, it would ensure that funds were utilized for the purposes for which they were intended. Third, this organization would serve as a channel through which funds were efficiently and transparently appropriated to only worthy causes. At the outset, a key consideration was the importance of allowing donors to designate the cause or organization of their choice, thus enabling them to see the fruits of their efforts. In the following spring, a group of 5 volunteers decided to create the organization inspired by Sri Swamigal, and the Kanchi Kamakoti Seve Foundation was registered in the State of New York as a not profit corporation on June 7, 1990.

In the 30 years since its inception, KKSF acted primarily as a conduit though which donations from people from all parts of the US and Canada were channeled to specific charities and causes in India. Among the causes championed by our donors included: provision of free medical care for the poor, improvements of education in rural India, preservation of historic Hindu temples, and funding of the few and the precious Veda Paatasaalas (schools of education in historic scriptures through holistic education) remaining in India today.

Starting in 1999, the voluteers of KKSF took strides to support some of the leading causes through various partner organizations in India: These causes included relief for the vicitims of the Orissa cyclone, aid for the families of the soliders in the Kargil War, and drought relief in Rajasthan. KKSF has also directed its efforts towards providing aid to the thousands left homeless and injured by the earthquakes, floods, tsunami. KKSF through its partner orginzations have helped in reconsturction efforts, providing truckloads of food, medicine, and clothing to those in need. Going forward, the volunteers hope to increase awareness and articipation among Indians living abroad. With the continued support of well wishers like you, we can continue to move forward as a people and to help the less fortunate among us. There are many causes that require timely action on our part: we hope you will join us in our mission.

“Jana Seva Janardhana Seva – Service to Humanity is as good as Service to God”