Caravanserai Project
Caravanserai Project is a Palm Springs, California-based public charity, formed in 2016, that supports entrepreneurs from marginalized and under-resourced communities through training, mentorship, business coaching, and access to capital. Its programs serve people developing for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Caravanserai Project at a glance
In short: Caravanserai Project gave $155K across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $155,000
- -61.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- -61.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,750
- -0.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,250
- Total assets
- $745,147
- -49.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Caravanserai Project
- Contact
Mailing address: 2150 E Tahquitz Canyon Way 3, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (310) 463-0154
Website: https://caravanseraiproject.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Caravanserai Project
Business Training and Funding
Caravanserai Project
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
One-on-One Coaching
Caravanserai Project
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Webinar Workshops
Caravanserai Project
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Caravanserai Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Paul Casas Videography ($13K). Together the top 10 received $85K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 76 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to California recipients. The website describes SEED Lab as limited to California-based entrepreneurs and one-on-one Caravan SBDC coaching as serving entrepreneurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties. Its Palm Springs BizUp program is for businesses physically located in the City of Palm Springs.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
Cities
How Caravanserai Project gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2021) to $407K (2023). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $155K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Casas Videography Indio, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $12,500 |
| Amada ABA LLC San Bernardino, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $10,000 |
| Prema's Permaculture & Composting Palm Springs, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $10,000 |
| Bureaucom LLC Laguna Beach, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Holistic Healing Haus Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Holistics Soaps & More Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Latina Makeup and Esthetics Santa Ana, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Mastery Blueprint Riverside, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Nutrition Explorers Daycare Moreno Valley, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
| Orgin X Drone Indio, CA | Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $745,147 | $1,007,396 | $1,765,431 | $155,000 | 20 | $19,262 |
| 2023 | $1,475,288 | $2,406,476 | $1,532,096 | $406,500 | 52 | $102 |
| 2022 | $544,060 | $889,280 | $1,002,030 | — | — | $115 |
| 2021 | $677,645 | $1,197,040 | $637,931 | $80,121 | 2 | $125 |
| 2020 | $128,842 | $415,406 | $407,360 | $104,361 | 2 | — |
| 2019 | $61,812 | $311,443 | $337,204 | $158,006 | 1 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Caravanserai Project’s stated mission is to help people from marginalized and under-resourced communities launch for-profit and nonprofit organizations that generate financial security, economic mobility, and systemic change. Its 2024 filing describes its work as bridging gaps between cultures and environments through training, education, technical assistance, and fiduciary and intermediary support.
The organization’s programs include SEED Lab, an eight-month pre-accelerator for early-stage, mission-driven ventures; business readiness training and funding; business coaching; and short-term masterclasses and planning circles for leaders of advanced mission-driven organizations. The organization says its programs prioritize historically marginalized and underserved communities. Its website also describes loan-readiness assistance and lender connections.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Caravanserai reported 20 grants totaling $155,000. Grants ranged from $7,000 to $12,500, with a median of $7,250. The stated purpose for the listed awards was to provide mission-driven entrepreneurs with support and funding.
Among the larger reported grants were $12,500 to Paul Casas Videography in Indio; $10,000 each to Amada ABA LLC in San Bernardino and Prema’s Permaculture & Composting in Palm Springs; and $7,500 each to Bureaucom LLC, Holistic Healing Haus, Holistics Soaps & More, Latina Makeup and Esthetics, Mastery Blueprint, Nutrition Explorers Daycare, and Orgin X Drone. The awards were reported as going to California recipients.
The website describes business training programs whose participants may receive funding, as well as SEED Lab’s training, mentorship, and capital access. These are described as participant support, not as an application process for outside grant-seeking organizations. A listed deadline of August 31, 2026, has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephen Bennett as board treasurer. Board members listed are Larry Colton, Craig Dougherty, Heli Castaneda, Jerry Fogelson, Christopher Hopkins-Gillispie, Rhett Wilson, Keven Palmer, Nereyda Rodriguez-Loo, and Deedee Towery.
Caravanserai Project is led by Mihai Patru, President on filings since 2019; 3 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mihai Patru
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$12K (2019) → $100K (2024)
Stephen Bennett
Board Treasurer
Chairman → Board Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$64K (2023) → $66K (2024)
Franzene Minott
Chief Operations Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$67K (2024)
Rhett Wilson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Hopkins-Gillispie
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Colton
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Dougherty
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deedee Towery
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nereyda Rodriguez-Loo
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heli Castaneda
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Fogelson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keven Palmer
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginal Weatherspoon-Bell
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Armetta Parker (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Susan Gomez (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Reverend Lorenzo Lebrija (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Emily Dabash (2019–2022) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $100K, to Mihai Patru (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Caravanserai Project
How much does Caravanserai Project give each year?
Caravanserai Project gave $155K across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $407K across 52 grants.
What is Caravanserai Project's typical grant size?
Caravanserai Project's median grant in 2024 was $7,250, and its average grant was $7,750, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Caravanserai Project give grants?
Caravanserai Project gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Palm Springs, CA (5 grants), Indio, CA (2 grants), Rancho Cucamonga, CA (2 grants) and Cherry Valley, CA (2 grants).
Does Caravanserai Project give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on Caravanserai Project's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Provide Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs Support and Funding" (20 grants).
Who are Caravanserai Project's largest grantees?
Caravanserai Project's largest 2024 grantees include Paul Casas Videography ($12,500), Amada ABA LLC ($10,000) and Prema's Permaculture & Composting ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Caravanserai Project?
Caravanserai Project reported $745K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.0M.
What does Caravanserai Project fund?
Caravanserai Project’s stated mission is to help people from marginalized and under-resourced communities launch for-profit and nonprofit organizations that generate financial security, economic mobility, and systemic change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Caravanserai Project?
Caravanserai Project has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check caravanseraiproject.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Caravanserai Project's EIN?
Caravanserai Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2497638. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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