Alumni Giving and Pay It Forward: When Scholars Become Donors

Ask anyone who received a scholarship what it meant to them, and you will often hear the same thing: "Someone believed in me." Now imagine if every one of those students, once settled in a job, turned around and believed in the next student. That is the idea behind Pay It Forward – and it is changing how education is funded in India.

On Kind Circle, two groups are leading this change: alumni networks who come together to support students, and former scholars who now fund the next generation.

Why alumni giving is so powerful

• Shared roots – alumni know exactly what students at their institution go through.
• Strength in numbers – a batch of a few hundred people giving small amounts can fund many scholarships every year.
• Lifelong connection – a scholarship gives alumni a meaningful reason to stay in touch with each other and their alma mater.
• Mentorship built in – alumni can guide scholars on careers, internships and life choices.

Alumni circles on Kind Circle

Alumni groups are already using Kind Circle to give together:

• The DMET-MERI Alumni Kind Circle brings maritime alumni together to support the families of fellow alumni who have passed away – a beautiful example of a community looking after its own.
• The IMT Ghaziabad Alumni Kind Circle is led by the institute's alumni community to support deserving students.
• Professional communities do the same – the CA Vidya Sahaay Kind Circle is a community-giving initiative led by Chartered Accountants.

Pay It Forward: when scholars become donors

Over the years, Buddy4Study has helped a great many students continue their education. Many are now engineers, doctors, teachers, lawyers and professionals. The Buddy4Study Scholars Impact Scholarship is the circle where these alumni scholars keep their Pay It Forward pledge – giving one-time or every month to fund students who stand where they once stood.

The idea is simple: yesterday's scholars become today's funders. Every student supported through Kind Circle is encouraged to pledge to support at least one student once they start earning. Over time, this turns a single act of kindness into a cycle that keeps going on its own.

Buddy4Study's Pay It Forward model has been covered by The CSR Universe as a replicable framework for sustainable education funding.

How to start an alumni Kind Circle

1. Gather a core group

Three to five committed alumni are enough to begin. One person leads as the Karta, and others can be added as co-administrators.

2. Decide who you will support

Current students at your institution, students from the towns your alumni come from, children of alumni who have passed away, or deserving students anywhere in India. You set the eligibility, amount and number of scholars.

3. Get your circle page

The Kind Circle team creates a named page for your alumni circle on kindcircle.org, with your story, your purpose and a live record of funds raised and scholars supported. No trust or NGO registration is needed – your circle runs under Buddy4Study India Foundation, which is registered under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act.

4. Invite your batchmates

Share your circle on batch WhatsApp groups, alumni newsletters and reunions. Alumni can donate, nominate a deserving student, or invite others. Alumni living abroad can contribute too, including foreign passport holders through the foundation's FCRA-compliant route.

5. Select verified scholars

Applications are verified through a multi-layered process, backed by Buddy4Study's network of close to 4.5 million registered students. Your core group approves the final scholars.

6. Stay connected

Share scholar updates at reunions and in newsletters. Invite scholars to speak at alumni events. Offer career guidance. Nothing keeps an alumni community warmer than seeing the students it has helped grow.

Ideas that work well for alumni circles

• Batch scholarships – each graduating batch funds one scholarship in its name.
• Reunion pledges – turn your 10th, 20th or 25th reunion into a giving moment.
• Birthday giving – invite members to give on their birthday, every year.
• Memorial scholarships – honour a favourite teacher or a batchmate who is no longer with you.
• Monthly giving – small, regular amounts from many people add up to steady support.

If you were once a scholar

If a scholarship once helped you, you already know what it means. You can give to the Buddy4Study Scholars Impact Scholarship, nominate a student who needs help, or start a circle with fellow scholars. Even a small monthly contribution tells a student what someone once told you: "I believe in you."

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to register our alumni association to start a circle?
No. Your circle runs under Buddy4Study India Foundation, so you do not need a separate registration.

Can we support only students from our own institution?
Yes. You set the eligibility, and it can be limited to your institution, a region or any group you choose.

Will every alumnus who gives get a receipt?
Yes. Every donor receives an official receipt.

Start your circle

Whether you are an alumni association, a WhatsApp group of batchmates or a former scholar ready to give back, we would love to help. Share your interest here or write to kind@buddy4study.com.