For more than fifty years, the Federation of Indian Associations has been the unifying voice of the Indian American community across the Northeastern United States. Founded in 1970, FIA is one of the oldest and largest grassroots, non-profit umbrella organizations representing the Indian diaspora in the region. What began as a small coalition of community associations has grown, in step with the diaspora itself, into a trusted institution serving families across eight states.
Today, FIA brings together communities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Across five decades of sustained engagement, we have worked to promote, safeguard, and nurture the cultural values and heritage that are vital to Indian Americans, while building lasting bridges between our adopted home and our motherland.
FIA exists to be an effective and unified voice for the Indian diaspora in the United States. Our mission is to serve our community through meaningful assistance, to amplify the issues that matter most to Indian Americans, and to strengthen the enduring ties between the United States and India.
We envision a connected, confident, and well-represented Indian American community—one whose cultural heritage is celebrated, whose concerns are heard at every level of government, and whose contributions enrich the broader fabric of American life.
Our work spans culture, advocacy, and humanitarian service:
We celebrate and preserve culture. From the iconic India Day Parade in New York City to the illumination of the Empire State Building in the Indian tricolor and the flag hoisting at Times Square, FIA creates landmark occasions that allow our community to share its heritage with pride and with the wider public.
We advocate for our community. FIA represents the interests of Indian Americans at the local, state, and national levels, pursuing meaningful progress on issues such as immigration and the simplification of visa processes, informed by the needs of the community we serve.
We respond in times of need. When natural disasters, emergencies, and humanitarian crises strike, FIA mobilizes resources and relief. We organize fundraising for education, healthcare, and special-assistance programs, and we provide support to community members facing hardship, including those affected by domestic violence.
We serve year-round. Beyond our signature events, FIA offers programs that directly benefit the community, including documentation assistance services, free health screening camps, soup kitchens, and college counseling for the next generation.
For over five decades, FIA has grown alongside the community it serves—evolving from a cultural federation into a comprehensive force for celebration, advocacy, and humanitarian action. As the Indian American community continues to flourish across the Northeast, FIA remains committed to honoring its heritage, serving its people, and strengthening the bond between India and the United States.