The AJA Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Las Vegas, Nevada, established in 2004 by Andy Astrachan. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation invests globally in organizations addressing fundamental human rights through three core philanthropic pillars: clean water access, quality education, and essential healthcare.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.6M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+16.7% YoY
Grant Count
28
+12.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+4.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Aja Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on "helping those who have done everything society asks of them, yet for whom access to fundamental resources and advancement remains elusive at best and structurally impossible at worst."
Primary Focus Areas:
- Clean Water: Sustainable water initiatives, particularly in rural Africa, addressing the reality that 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water
- Quality Education: Supporting disadvantaged students in overcoming financial or academic barriers
- Healthcare: Delivering fundamental healthcare to underserved populations, particularly in developing countries
Grantmaking
The Foundation demonstrates a preference for substantial, multi-year partnerships, with 76% of donations going to organizations receiving over $250,000.
Grant Range
$45,000
Average Grant
$45,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds globally across 15 countries, with emphasis on developing nations. Recent grantees operate in:
- Africa: Zambia, Guinea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda
- Asia: Afghanistan
- Central America: Guatemala
- United States: California, Nevada, Connecticut
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Financial Position (2024):
- Total assets: $19.6 million
- Total revenues: $764,595
- Total expenses: $1.68 million
- Number of employees: 2
Historical Financials (2023):
- Total assets: $18.8 million
- Total liabilities: $4.62 million
- Revenue: $9.84k
- Expenses: $1.35 million
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) private foundation
- Tax-exempt since March 2006
- EIN: 20-2054545
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,599,151 | $18,825,671 | $17,869,438 |
| Revenue | $764,595 | $9,835 | $697,279 |
| Expenses | $1,678,515 | $1,349,772 | $1,472,749 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,633,462 | $1,337,045 | $1,387,931 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,899,097 | $897,820 | $405,535 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,397,020 | $1,241,972 | $1,219,835 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Aja Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Engera ($181,000), Makolekole ($174,000), Dean's Future Scholars ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA LOS ANGELES, CA | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR IT'S MISSION OF EDUCATING ON THE HOLOCAUST, PRESERVING HISTORY, AND PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE. | $20,000 |
| DEAN'S FUTURE SCHOLARS RENO, NV | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS AND TO FUND THE FULL-TIME DATA POSITION AND MATCHING GRANT - TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS AND TO FUND THE FULL-TIME DATA POSITION | $150,000 |
| PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION SANTA MONICA, CA | TO SUPPORT PCF'S MISSION OF FUNDING PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH, INCLUDING NEW TREATMENTS, PRECISION MEDICINE, AND EARLY DETECTION. | $100,000 |
| REUT USA WOODLAND HILLS, CA | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES TO SUPPORT CREATING AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY. | $10,000 |
| MAUI ARTS CULTURAL CENTER KAHULUI, HI | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES TO SUPPORT MACC'S MISSION OF PROVIDING A VENUE FOR ARTS, CULTURE, AND EDUCATION, ENRICHING MAUI THROUGH PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITS | $10,000 |
| THREE ANGELS CHILDREN'S RELIEF INC STEVENSON RANCH, CA | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, WHICH INCLUDE BOOKS, TUITION, UNIFORMS, LUNCH, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, TEACHERS, AND MEDICAL CARE | $71,000 |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE GLEN ALLEN, VA | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO EXPAND COLLEGE TOURS AND PAID INTERNSHIPS, GROW THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM THROUGH TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES, AND EXPAND OUTREACH THROUGH THE KEYS TO COLLEGE PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| STEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION INC BOSTON, MA | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES TO SUPPORT STEPPINGSTONE'S MISSION TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, AND COLLEGE READINESS SUPPORT FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS | $60,000 |
| PHILANTHROPIC VENTURES FOUNDATION OAKLAND, CA | TO SUPPORT AND FUND VARIOUS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS | $39,000 |
| ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF LAHAINA AND KULA WHO EXPERIENCED LOSSES FROM THE DEVASTATING MAUI WILDFIRES. | $4,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Andy Astrachan founded the AJA Foundation in 2004. His involvement in the Foundation's work is documented through his 2009 participation in well restoration efforts in Mfuwe, Zambia, which catalyzed the Foundation's water initiatives.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDY ASTRACHAN | CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| CATHY DANIELS | CORP. SECRETARY / CFO / DIRECTOR | 15 | — |
| BOB EZRIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SANDRA KANENGISER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMY WOOD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANA DE DIEGO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BLANCA DE DIEGO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Water 2035 Initiative:**
The Foundation announced "Water 2035," a major commitment to provide clean water access to an additional 700,000 people by 2035. This builds on previous achievements:
Partnership with UNICEF resulted in 275,000 people gaining direct access to clean water in Guinea
Partnership with Makolekole provided water to 25,000 people in rural Zambia
Upon completion of Water 2035, the total number of people who will have gained initial access to water through the Foundation will reach 1 million
**Recent Grants (2024-2025):**
Notable recent grantees include:
Engera (Ethiopia healthcare): $181,000
Makolekole USA (Zambia water): $174,000
Prostate Cancer Foundation: $100,000
Fulfillment Fund LV (Education): $100,000
Dean's Future Scholars (Education): $125,000
Hopkins School Pathfinder (Education): $100,000
Engera (Ethiopia health): $200,000
Makolekole (Zambia water): $200,000
Contact Information
Address: 3605 S Town Center Dr, Suite A Las Vegas, NV 89135
Phone: (702) 592-9672
Website: www.ajafoundation.org
Application Portal: ajafoundation.org/how-to-apply
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aja Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on "helping those who have done everything society asks of them, yet for whom access to fundamental resources and advancement remains elusive at best and structurally impossible at worst." **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Clean Water**: Sustainable water initiatives, particularly in rural Africa, addressing the reality that 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water • **Quality Education**: Supporting disadvantaged students in overcoming financial or acad…
How do I apply for a grant from Aja Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving to date: $15.1 million across 457 grants to 163 organizations • Annual giving (2023): $1.1 million • Average grant size: $45,000 • Grant range: $2,500 - $500,000 **Grant Distribution by Size (Historical):** • Less than $25K: 110 grants totaling $726,911 • $25K - $50K: 18 grants totaling $633,500 • $50K - $100K: 11 grants totaling $735,700 • $100K - $250K: 12 grants totaling $1,971,500 • $250K - $500K: 7 grants totaling $2,441,907 • $500K - $1M: 4 grants totali…
Where does Aja Foundation make grants?
The Foundation funds globally across 15 countries, with emphasis on developing nations. Recent grantees operate in: • Africa: Zambia, Guinea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda • Asia: Afghanistan • Central America: Guatemala • United States: California, Nevada, Connecticut
What size grants does Aja Foundation award?
In 2024, Aja Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Aja Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Aja Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Aja Foundation's EIN?
Aja Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2054545. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Aja Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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