Kunal Kapoor's portal to work for animal welfare, environment

Kolkata, Feb 18 (IANS) Actor Kunal Kapoor's online crowd-fund raising portal "Ketto" will focus on gathering contributions for animal welfare and environmental organisations this year, its CEO said Tuesday.

"Ketto", formed by Kapoor, and its CEO Varun Sheth, partnered Kolkata's new boutique hotel and restaurant "The Corner Courtyard", to raise funds through a charity dinner to support SOS Children's Village, Kolkata.

The portal will link potential donors across the globe to Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"Last year, we gathered funds primarily for NGOs working for women's empowerment. This year, we will focus on groups working for animal welfare and environment. We have been getting a lot of requests from environmental NGOs," Sheth said here on the sidelines of the launch of the Kolkata venture, in Kapoor's presence.

According to Kapoor, the online philanthropy portal banks on the support of youngsters who are well connected through social networks.

"We also do fund-raisers in various colleges to get the youth involved," he said.

It also bridges the gaps between non-resident Indians (NRIs) and the NGOs.

"Over 30 percent of our contributions are from NRIs. About 10 percent is from non-Indians across the world," said Sheth, adding the initiative aids only India-based NGOs.

According to Sheth, Ketto which was established in 2012, has on its rosters as many as 40 NGOs and it plans to scale it up to 200 NGOs by the end of 2014.

Kunal Kapoor Pictures