Lukaj Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in Connecticut and tax-exempt since August 2002. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple focus areas including education, international relations, and human services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.8M
+12.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$440K
+10.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
-22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+41.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lukaj Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports educational programs, international relations initiatives, and provides funding for various causes including:
- Educational programs and scholarships for students
- Music scholarships
- Support for children with rare diseases and their families
- Global affairs awareness initiatives
- Human services and poverty alleviation
- Youth education programs
- Mental health and therapy programs
- Religious organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation made 28 grants in 2024 and 56 grants in 2023, indicating active and consistent grantmaking. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$250–$110,860 (with median grant amounts around $5,000)
Average Grant
$250–$110,860 (with median grant amounts around $5,000)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, with primary focus areas in Connecticut, New York, and Texas. Funding extends to major urban centers including New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller communities. Geographic reach includes California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,800,575
- Total Revenue: $1,110,064
- Total Expenses: $637,403
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $6,932,922
- Total Revenue: $561,825
- Total Expenses: $591,517
Giving Rate: Approximately 6.2% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,800,575 | $6,932,922 | $6,000,653 |
| Revenue | $1,110,064 | $561,825 | $2,877,639 |
| Expenses | $637,403 | $591,517 | $366,329 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $440,235 | $400,000 | $218,950 |
| Net Investment Income | $777,286 | $260,273 | $641,316 |
| Distributable Amount | $21,140 | $323,732 | $195,937 |
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
148 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rit-kosova Auk ($110,860), Alzheimers Disease ($84,000), Albianian American Humanitarian Fun ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BETTER CHANCE NEW YORK, NY | ENABLING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN | $6,000 |
| ABILIS INC GREENWICH, CT | PROGRAM SVC FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN | $6,000 |
| ALBIAN AMERICAN NATION STAMFORD, CT | DONATIONS TO MOSQE | $5,000 |
| ALBIANIAN AMERICAN HUMANITARIAN FUN YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | MATCHING SCOLARSHIP FUNDS | $45,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS DISEASE STAMPFORD, CT | PROVIDE RESEARCH TO PRIVIDE FOR CURE | $84,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF REDDING REDDING, CT | SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS | $3,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH GREENWICH, CT | PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS OF STUDENTS | $6,000 |
| BRAZIL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T ID NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DIABETES | $3,000 |
| CATIE'S CLOSET EAST LONG MEADOW, MA | SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO DONATE CLOTHING | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation operates with volunteer leadership:
- Richard S. Lukaj – Foundation Manager
- Viosa Lukaj – Vice President
- Zana L. Lukaj – Director
- Layla Lukaj – Director
- Michael Lukaj – Director
- Ermie Salaj – Director
None of the leadership personnel receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD S LUKAJ | FOUNDATION M | — | — |
| VIOSA LUKAJ | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| ZANA L LUKAJ | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LAYLA LUKAJ | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MICHAEL LUKAJ | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ERMIE SALAJ | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 333 Ludlow Street, Suite 3 Stamford, CT 06902-6991
Phone: 203-861-7126
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lukaj Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports educational programs, international relations initiatives, and provides funding for various causes including: • Educational programs and scholarships for students • Music scholarships • Support for children with rare diseases and their families • Global affairs awareness initiatives • Human services and poverty alleviation • Youth education programs • Mental health and therapy programs • Religious organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Lukaj Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $440,235 • Total giving in 2023: $400,000 • Average grant size: $250–$110,860 (with median grant amounts around $5,000) • Grant range: $500–$50,500 • Recent grants include $33,500 to Mill River Park Collaborative, $24,000 to YMCA of Greenwich, and $6,125 to Greenwich United Way **Grant Frequency:** The foundation made 28 grants in 2024 and 56 grants in 2023, indicating active and consistent grantmaking. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Where does Lukaj Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation provides funding across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, with primary focus areas in Connecticut, New York, and Texas. Funding extends to major urban centers including New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller communities. Geographic reach includes California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and other states.
What size grants does Lukaj Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Lukaj Foundation Inc awarded 28 grants totaling $440K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lukaj Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lukaj Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lukaj Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lukaj Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3771413. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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