Ahimsa Foundation
Ahimsa Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Niwot, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.0B in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $73.1M. Net investment income was $154.0M.
Ahimsa Foundation at a glance
In short: Ahimsa Foundation gave $73.1M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $14.6M), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $73,067,751
- +1.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,613,550
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,735,000
- Total assets
- $1,011,593,188
- +7.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ahimsa Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program ($45.7M). Together the top 5 received $73.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 9 grants of 13 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ahimsa Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 501% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $42.8M (2022) to $73.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $73.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Warwick, RI | Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals | $45,710,000 |
| Karuna Foundation Niwot, CO | Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals | $12,530,000 |
| National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals | $9,735,000 |
| Charityvest Inc Atlanta, GA | Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals | $5,092,614 |
| Go Dharmic Inc Port Wentworth, GA | Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals | $137 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,011,593,188 | $160,180,393 | $79,991,246 | $73,067,751 | 5 | $194,121,931 | $154,018,254 | $38,731,611 |
| 2023 | $938,177,008 | $55,079,974 | $80,570,806 | $71,720,000 | 4 | $170,003,180 | $45,378,856 | $43,595,042 |
| 2022 | $962,293,194 | $581,102,746 | $50,069,582 | $42,815,000 | 4 | $110,185,826 | $573,864,496 | $32,988,323 |
| 2021 | $431,260,030 | $508,168,173 | $1,041,108 | — | — | $21,921,369 | $9,928,154 | $7,909,677 |
| 2020 | $6,049,459 | $6,269,222 | $219,763 | — | — | — | — | $3,735 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ahimsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ahimsa Foundation is led by Shaleen Shah, President on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shaleen Shah
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$277K (2024)
Jay Karandikar
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$155K (2024)
Satish Karandikar
Secretary
Sectretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$800K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Shilpi Shah (2020–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $800K, to Satish Karandikar (Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ahimsa Foundation
How much does Ahimsa Foundation give each year?
Ahimsa Foundation gave $73.1M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $71.7M across 4 grants.
What is Ahimsa Foundation's typical grant size?
Ahimsa Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,735,000, and its average grant was $14,613,550, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ahimsa Foundation give grants?
Ahimsa Foundation gives mostly in Rhode Island: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (17%) and Pennsylvania (13%).
Does Ahimsa Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Ahimsa Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals" (5 grants).
Who are Ahimsa Foundation's largest grantees?
Ahimsa Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program ($45,710,000), Karuna Foundation ($12,530,000) and National Philanthropic Trust ($9,735,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ahimsa Foundation?
Ahimsa Foundation reported $1.0B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $194.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ahimsa Foundation?
Ahimsa Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Niwot, CO. It holds $1.0B in total assets as of 2024.
What is Ahimsa Foundation's EIN?
Ahimsa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2700743. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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