Desai Sethi Foundation Inc is a private operating foundation based in Miami, Florida, established in 2013. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with significant philanthropic capacity, supporting initiatives across education, healthcare, leadership development, and scientific research.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$196.6M
+10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+27.1% YoY
Grant Count
69
-65.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+268.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports mission-driven work in education, leadership development, STEM, and healthcare. A notable area of focus is the advancement of urological research and medical education through major commitments to academic institutions.
Grantmaking
The foundation actively supports the Samvid Scholars program, a merit-based scholarship and leadership initiative for graduate students. The program provides:
Grant Range
$25,000
Review Cycle
April 12, 2026
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular concentration in Florida. Documented funding reaches California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Texas, including major urban centers such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue
- Total assets: $196.6 million to $210.8 million (as of 2024)
- Annual revenue: $8.8 million to $12.7 million
- Annual expenses: $4.46 million to $8.97 million
- Total liabilities: $10,200 (minimal)
Recent Financial Activity (2024)
- Investment income and dividends: $12.7 million
- Total expenses: $8.97 million
The foundation maintains substantial financial resources and demonstrates consistent annual giving capacity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $196,633,191 | $178,239,846 | $156,238,798 |
| Revenue | $8,847,213 | $8,196,530 | $5,314,422 |
| Expenses | $5,065,381 | $4,464,512 | $4,616,131 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,805,091 | $5,466,403 | $5,322,524 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,811,331 | $8,205,418 | $5,057,152 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Staff
| Name | Role | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Desai | Director, Chairman, President | Unpaid |
| Neerja Sethi | Director, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer | Unpaid |
| Saahill Desai | Director | Unpaid |
| Pia Desai | Director | Unpaid |
| David Bicky | Director of Programs | $190,000 |
| Gemma Lenowitz | Program Director | $190,000 |
| Laura Clancy | Chief Operating Officer | $170,000 |
| Danielle Hayman | Samvid Scholars Program Manager | $164,000 |
| Kat Tiscornia | Associate, Samvid Scholars | $80,000 |
The foundation is governed by four officers and trustees, with dedicated paid staff supporting program operations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHARAT DESAI | DIRECTOR, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| NEERJA SETHI | DIRECTOR, VP, SECRETARY, TREASURER | 12 | — |
| SAAHILL DESAI | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| PIA DESAI | DIRECTOR | 36 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Major Commitments**
The foundation made a landmark $20 million commitment to the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine to establish the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. This initiative aims to:
The 2025 Desai Sethi Urology Institute Pilot Grant AwardeesAccelerate breakthrough advances in urological research
Expand clinical care in urology
Train future generations of urologists
Attract leading physician-scientists dedicated to urologic disease research and treatment
The commitment positions the University of Miami among the world's leading institutions in urological research and treatment.
**Additional Support**
Recent grants include:
$4 million to University of Miami for the Urology Institute Fund (2024)
The 2025 Desai Sethi Urology Institute Pilot Grant Awardees$4.6 million to National Philanthropic Trust for general operating support (2024)
Terry and Carla Taylor Make a $3 Million Commitment to Support the Desai$25,000 to Achieve Miami for general operating support (2024)
The foundation continues to support the Desai Sethi Urology Institute through pilot grant programs and research funding initiatives.
The 2025 Desai Sethi Urology Institute Pilot Grant AwardeesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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