Luis Von Ahn Foundation
The Luis von Ahn Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 2021 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The foundation is committed to supporting a future where all Guatemalans are equally valued, can thrive, and are able to fully exercise their human rights. The foundation works with local community leaders and nonprofit organizations to improve the lives of individuals, particularly women and girls, in Guatemala.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
+104.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.2M
+46.5% YoY
Grant Count
43
+38.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+5.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Luis Von Ahn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $355K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that the status of democracy, social and economic development, and inclusive growth depend heavily on the advancement of women and girls and the protection of the environment.
The foundation focuses on four primary areas:
Nature Conservation — Supporting social-economic development and sustainable livelihoods to ensure healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Women's and Girls' Equality — Accelerating progress toward more gender-equal communities by addressing barriers that prevent women and girls from being fully active in their homes, economies, and societies.
Democracy and Citizen Participation — Protecting and strengthening democratic principles and the vitality of governance.
Education — Closing significant gaps in access to education and educational quality in Guatemala, particularly for women, girls, and Indigenous communities. The foundation supports organizations working to expand access, improve quality, and promote equity in education.
Grantmaking
The Luis von Ahn Foundation employs a strategic "deep approach" to grantmaking rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, requests, or letters of inquiry. Grant application guidelines are available only for invited organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Guatemala, with a focus on supporting local community leaders and nonprofit organizations working within the country.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Assets: $4,043,993
- Total Revenues: $6,798,644
- Total Expenses: $3,752,777
- Total Liabilities: $55,600
- Number of Employees: 1
2022 Financial Summary:
- The foundation was tax-exempt as of March 2022
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,263,929 | $4,043,993 | $968,813 |
| Revenue | $4,541,735 | $6,798,644 | $3,677,756 |
| Expenses | $5,543,217 | $3,752,777 | $2,935,879 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,338,891 | $3,578,939 | $2,919,536 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,880,828 | $6,798,505 | $3,443,977 |
| Distributable Amount | $355,393 | $146,965 | — |
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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Defensores De La Naturaleza ($478,000), Women's International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc ($375,000), Seattle International Foundation ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC PRINCETON, NJ | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $250,000 |
| ARCAS WILDLIFE RESCUE AND CONSERVATION CHICAGO, IL | MACAW RELEASE PROJECT | $42,000 |
| ASOCIACION GUATEMALTECA DE HISTORIA NATURAL | ENABLING LOCAL CONSERVATION EDUCATION | $25,000 |
| BE JUST INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $85,000 |
| BLUE WORLD FOUNDATION INC MIAMI BEACH, FL | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $90,000 |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $100,000 |
| DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $478,000 |
| FRIENDS OF FAFG INC MCLEAN, VA | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $120,000 |
| GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN WASHINGTON, DC | EDUCATIONAL RECOVERY PROJECT IN CENTRAL AMERICA | $50,000 |
| INICIATIVA GUATEMALA BEALETON, VA | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Rodrigo Barillas — Global Director and Secretary (as of 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUIS VON AHN | FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ROGELIO ALVAREZ | DIRECTOR AND TREASURER | 1 | — |
| RODRIGO BARILLAS UNTIL 1024 | GLOBAL DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY | 40 | $404,317 |
| JULIANNE CARLSON BEG 1024 | INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION | 40 | $106,223 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In June 2022, the Luis von Ahn Foundation announced $3 million in grants to 16 organizations working in Guatemala.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Luis Von Ahn Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on the belief that the status of democracy, social and economic development, and inclusive growth depend heavily on the advancement of women and girls and the protection of the environment. The foundation focuses on four primary areas: **Nature Conservation** — Supporting social-economic development and sustainable livelihoods to ensure healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change. **Women's and Girls' Equality** — Accelerating pro…
How do I apply for a grant from Luis Von Ahn Foundation?
The Luis von Ahn Foundation employs a strategic "deep approach" to grantmaking rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, requests, or letters of inquiry. Grant application guidelines are available only for invited organizations. **Grantmaking Strategy:** • 90% of the foundation's annual grantmaking budget supports a group of core grantees • 10% is allocated for learning grants • Grants are typically generous, averaging 10-20% of an …
Where does Luis Von Ahn Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Guatemala, with a focus on supporting local community leaders and nonprofit organizations working within the country.
What size grants does Luis Von Ahn Foundation award?
In 2024, Luis Von Ahn Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $4.2M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Luis Von Ahn Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Luis Von Ahn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $355K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Luis Von Ahn Foundation's EIN?
Luis Von Ahn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0993008. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Luis Von Ahn 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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