Dhanam Foundation
Invitation OnlyPalo Alto, California · EIN 20-1914298 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$20.2M
Organizations funded38
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$535.2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $333,333.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
35% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Philanthropic Trust | Jenkintown, PA | General charitable purpose | $12,000,000 |
| Exploratorium | San Francisco, CA | To support the stability and revitalization fund | $1,000,000 |
| The Barack Obama Foundation | Chicago, IL | US leaders program | $1,000,000 |
| African Parks Foundation of America | Washington, DC | In support of general operations | $1,000,000 |
| Global Impact (Co-Develop Fund) | Washington, DC | In support of general operations | $1,000,000 |
| Agastya USA | San Jose, CA | In support of general operations | $555,000 |
| Iit Madras Foundation | Cupertino, CA | In support of general operations | $500,000 |
| The Monterey Bay Aquarium | Monterey, CA | To support the sea otter rescue and rehabilitation program | $500,000 |
| Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | Washington, DC | In support of general operations | $350,000 |
| Atree USA | Belmont, MA | In support of general operations | $333,333 |
| Magic Bus USA | Houston, TX | In support of general operations | $300,000 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | In support of general operations | $285,000 |
| Makerghat USA | Decatur, GA | In support of general operations | $281,500 |
| College Track | Oakland, CA | In support of general operations | $250,000 |
| Institute for Financial Management and Research | Chennai, IN | In support of general operations | $200,000 |
| India Community Center | Milpitas, CA | In support of general opertaions | $100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | In support of general operations | $100,000 |
| Asian Art Museum Foundation | San Francisco, CA | Fund-A-Need platform | $50,000 |
| Go2 for Lung Cancer | San Carlos, CA | In support of general operations | $50,000 |
| Pratham USA | Houston, TX | In support of general operations | $50,000 |
| Anitaborg | Sacramento, CA | In support of general operations | $40,000 |
| Propublica | New York, NY | In support of general operations | $25,000 |
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank | San Francisco, CA | General operating support fund | $25,000 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | In support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank | San Jose, CA | In support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Indiaspora | San Francisco, CA | Founders circle | $25,000 |
| Kukio Hoomana Fund | Kailua Kona, HI | In support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Hamilton Families | San Francisco, CA | In support of general operations | $20,000 |
| LA Cocina | San Francisco, CA | In support of general operations | $20,000 |
| Foundation for Excellence | Sunnyvale, CA | In support of general operations | $20,000 |
| Sacred Heart Community Service | San Jose, CA | In support of general operations | $15,000 |
| The Marshall Project | New York, NY | In support of general operations | $10,000 |
| 18 Reasons | San Francisco, CA | In support of general operations | $10,000 |
| Puente de LA Costa Sur | Pescadero, CA | To support puente's 2024 end of year campaign | $10,000 |
| Maitri | Santa Clara, CA | In support of general operations | $10,000 |
| Seva Foundation | Berkeley, CA | In support of seva special events | $10,000 |
| Aclu Foundation of Northern California | San Francisco, CA | In support of general operations | $10,000 |
| Exploratorium | San Francisco, CA | In support of wonder funday | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,234,833 | 38 |
| 2023 | $22,373,600 | 29 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 10, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202523149349102207
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 20-1914298
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.