Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation
The Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Moreland Hills, Ohio. It made 17 grants totaling $166,002 in filing year 2025.
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation gave $166K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Ohio. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $166,002
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- -19.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,765
- +28.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,534,652
- +3.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (4 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its filing states that applicants should submit a letter to Suresh Bafna. It lists no deadline and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Suresh Bafna
Mailing address: 35 Fairway Trail, Morland Hills, OH 44022
Phone: (216) 561-9200
Email: suresh@jainco.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Akshaypatra ($61K). Together the top 10 received $151K.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 84 grants of 85 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio (38%), California (37%), Texas (12%), Washington, DC (6%), and Colorado (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 17 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 83% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $91K (2022) to $190K (2020). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $166K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Akshaypatra Freemont, CA | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $61,000 |
| Ekal Foundation Houston, TX | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $20,000 |
| Federation of India Community Associatio Cleveland, OH | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $15,000 |
| Greater Cleveland Food Banks Cleveland, OH | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $10,000 |
| Marathi Mandal of Northeast Ohio Cleveland, OH | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $10,000 |
| Shiva Vishnu Temple Parma, OH | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $10,000 |
| World Wildliffe Foundation Washington, DC | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $10,000 |
| Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary Erie, CO | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $5,000 |
| New Directions Staunton, VA | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $5,000 |
| Youth Opportunity Unlimited Cleveland, OH | To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,534,652 | $264,152 | $188,487 | $166,002 | 17 | $166,002 | $244,151 | $174,638 |
| 2024 | $2,458,987 | $241,147 | $177,298 | $159,251 | 21 | $159,251 | $222,896 | $162,956 |
| 2023 | $3,055,020 | $141,065 | $138,306 | $116,150 | 19 | $116,150 | $91,065 | $139,129 |
| 2022 | $2,695,256 | $154,265 | $115,432 | $90,500 | 14 | $90,500 | $129,265 | $138,935 |
| 2021 | $3,217,194 | $266,891 | $158,979 | $137,400 | 14 | $139,870 | $197,782 | $143,493 |
| 2020 | $2,795,073 | $156,649 | $211,945 | $190,090 | 23 | — | $26,367 | $124,161 |
| 2019 | $2,520,470 | $68,129 | $147,669 | $123,900 | 8 | — | $14,283 | $119,750 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $175K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $166,002 across 17 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $61,000, with a median of $5,000.
Among its largest listed grants were $61,000 to Akshaya Patra, $20,000 to Ekal Foundation, $15,000 to the Federation of India Community Association, and $10,000 each to Greater Cleveland Food Banks, Marathi Mandal of Northeast Ohio, Shiva Vishnu Temple, and World Wildlife Fund. The filing gives the purpose for these grants as “to assist 501(c)(3) organization.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Suresh C. Bafna as president, Dinesh Bafna as secretary, and Kala Amesur as treasurer.
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation is led by Suresh C. Bafna, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Suresh C. Bafna
President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dinesh Bafna
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kala Amesur
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation
How much does Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation give each year?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation gave $166K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $159K across 21 grants.
What is Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,765, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation give grants?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's top state is Ohio, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (37%) and Texas (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (4 grants).
Does Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Assist 501(C)(3) Organization" (17 grants).
Who are Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Akshaypatra ($61,000), Ekal Foundation ($20,000) and Federation of India Community Associatio ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $166K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $175K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
How do I apply for a grant from Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1486138. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Ohio
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds social-welfare, religious, educational, security, and community programs, with a focus on Cleveland and Ohio as well as Jewish needs in Israel and around the world. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,250, though amounts varied widely; the available information does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited institutional requests.
Assets
$680.2M
Grants
425
Total Given
$72.7M
Jack Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Jack Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation supports leadership development, nonprofit management, the humanities, Jewish life, and urban engagement, with a focus on the United States and Israel. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3 to $35.1 million, with a median of $10,500; it primarily funds its own programs and does not accept unsolicited requests, considering grants by invitation only.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
284
Total Given
$77.0M
The Louise H & David S Ingalls Fdn
Shaker Heights, OH
The Louise H. & David S. Ingalls Foundation funds public charities working in areas including the environment, arts and culture, education, and health, with most of its giving going to Ohio. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $250,000, with a median of $30,000. It does not describe an open unsolicited application process: trustees respond to organizations they wish to pursue, and forms are provided as appropriate.
Assets
$40.3M
Grants
45
Total Given
$2.7M
Columbus Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
1,747
Total Given
$242.7M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Kamla Bafna Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?