AVI USA & AUROVILLE
WE FUND WORK THAT BUILDS AUROVILLE
Auroville International USA (AVI USA) is an independent, U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is rooted in the founding ideals of Auroville — peace and understanding among people, lifelong education, conscious spiritual evolution, and stewardship of the Earth.
We work hand-in-hand with project leaders, donors, and people of goodwill to provide the resources, stewardship, and support that help these initiatives flourish — in Auroville, across India, and globally.
SEE THE WORK
OUR PROJECT PARTNERS, IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Videos from areas as different as Auroville ecology, outreach programs
and Auroville schools, Auroville filmmakers, and Sanskrit scholarship.
We hope this inspires you to support our work.
HISTORY
FIFTY YEARS OF SENDING FUNDS
1973
On August 8th, The Auroville Association filed incorporation papers with the state of California. The documents were signed by June and Albert Maher, Ida Cori, Ruth Villalobos, Kurt Paine, and Dimitri von Mohrenschildt. Auroville’s inauguration had taken place five years before. The Mother was 95 years old.
1974
On April 5th, the US Internal Revenue Service approved nonprofit status of the Association. Five months earlier, on November 17th, 1973, the Mother had left Her body. They had just incorporated an organization whose purpose was “to support projects within the city of Auroville in India”. They were building something new, looking toward the future. And they decided to carry on.
1983
Auroville International was incorporated in the Netherlands, to “work for the advancement of the ideal of human unity by promoting the development of the International Township of Auroville”. The Auroville Association changed its name to Auroville International USA to join the informal network of international Auroville supporters.
80s–00s
AVI USA carried out many significant fundraising initiatives, raising over a million dollars for land, the Matrimandir, and individual projects in Auroville.
Today
The organization has grown into a reliable source of funding for dozens of partner projects, most of which are based in Auroville. Recently we have opened up to partners located outside of Auroville as long as they are aligned with the founding ideals of Auroville and have a direct connection with Auroville.
HOW WE WORK
U.S. NONPROFIT. AUROVILLE & BEYOND IMPACT
AVI USA is a “Friends of” organization — an independent U.S. 501(c)(3) that acts as fiscal sponsor for work happening half a world away. It is the structure that lets an American donor fund a school in Auroville and still take the deduction.
What that means for you.
Your donation goes to a U.S. nonprofit governed by a U.S. board, and it stays there until that board has reviewed the project and approved the release of funds. We keep full discretion and control over how every dollar is ultimately used — not as a formality, but because the IRS requires it, and because it is how we can promise you that your gift reaches work we have seen, vetted, and stand behind.
That independence is real and it is legally required. Our board makes funding decisions free of any influence from Auroville Administrative or Legal Institutions.
AVI USA is equally independent of Auroville International, the Netherlands-incorporated umbrella body — each national liaison is separately governed under its own country’s tax laws and raises and allocates its own funds.
We are deeply connected to Auroville and its founding principles. As a US nonprofit, we are not governed by it.
AN INTRODUCTION TO AUROVILLE
A DREAM DOWN TO EARTH
The spirit of Auroville is multi-faceted and ever-changing. Take a moment to watch A Dream Down to Earth to get a quick introduction to Auroville’s origins and its evolution as a nebula of human unity, sustainable solutions, and spiritual pursuits.
GIVE
FUND A PROJECT THIS QUARTER
Choose a partner to support, or give where it is most needed
and AVI USA will direct your gift to the vetted partners
with the greatest need.