Partners for Better Futures
Partners for Better Futures (PBF) is a public charity based in Los Altos, California. It supports underserved people around the world, primarily through education-focused programs that partner with local organizations. Its programs include Build a School in Burma, Build a School in India, and APC School in the Philippines; it also began a Myanmar Humanitarian Relief Fund in 2021.
Partners for Better Futures at a glance
In short: Partners for Better Futures reported $665K in grants paid in 2026 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2026)
- $665,375 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +6553.7% vs 2025
- Total assets
- $303,097
- +22.0% vs 2025
- Revenue (2026)
- $754,095
- +44.1% vs 2025
- Net investment income (2026)
- $3,932
- Expenses (2026)
- $699,499
- -1.1% vs 2025
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Partners for Better Futures
- Contact
Mailing address: 1275 Fairway Drive, Los Altos, CA 94024
Phone: (415) 317-4913
Website: https://partnersforbetterfutures.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Partners for Better Futures funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 2 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PBF’s stated and described program work spans Myanmar, India, and the Philippines. Its 2025 filing also reports support for Myanmar refugee education in bordering countries, primarily Thailand.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2024) to $665K (2026). In 2026 it reported $665K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Partners Asia Oakland, CA | To support the ongoing operations of Partners Asia, a 501c3 that primarily works to improve the lives of people of Myanmar. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
PBF’s filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $303,097 | $754,095 | $699,499 | $665,375 | Total only | $3,932 |
| 2025 | $248,502 | $523,134 | $707,448 | $10,000 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | $432,751 | $280,842 | $548,358 | $10,000 | 1 | $10,825 |
| 2023 | $700,267 | $318,722 | $499,590 | $447,679 | Total only | $2,537 |
| 2022 | $881,134 | $597,900 | $511,605 | $493,071 | Total only | $-10,875 |
| 2021 | $793,837 | $698,586 | $429,251 | $393,560 | Total only | $4,069 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
PBF states that it helps improve the lives of poor people around the world, primarily focusing on children and education. It says it works with local organizations that are deeply involved in their communities and participates in carefully evaluated projects and programs.
Its described support includes school construction, repairs, furniture, water and sanitation systems, and solar lighting in Myanmar; education for underserved children in India; and ongoing operations at the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center (APC) in the Philippines. In FY 2025, PBF also reported supporting Community Learning Centers for Myanmar refugees in bordering countries, primarily Thailand.
PBF’s 2025 filing names Indian grantees including Anandakshan, ASHA Action Self Reliance Hope, Cochlea Pune Hearing & Speech, Holistic Education Mission, Kiran Educational Trust - Foundation Academy, Mata Balak Utkarsha Pratishtha, Sondara, Spandan School, Srotoshwini Trust, and Unnatia Institute. PBF states that these organizations met India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act criteria. The filing describes APC as providing integrated, holistic education to indigenous children and youth along the Pantaron Range of Mindanao.
Grantmaking
PBF’s 2025 filing describes grants for school buildings and related improvements in Myanmar, education for Myanmar refugees, education for disadvantaged students in rural India, and APC School operations in the Philippines. For Build a School in Burma, the website describes a process of identifying candidate communities with local partners, assessing community need and capacity to sustain a school, and reviewing formal proposals with construction budgets before approving projects. It says an agreement is signed with the local partner and school committee; construction begins after funding and government approval are secured.
The reported grant total was $10,000 across one grant in 2025. The identified recipient was Partners Asia, which received $10,000. Partners Asia describes its mission as building relationships with innovative community organizers and international donors to connect local leaders with global resources. The 2024 filing also reports $10,000 across one grant, but no recipient is identified here. The 2026 filing reports zero grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Naing Lin Swe as Country Director - Burma; Andrew Lederer as President; Daniel Kipp as Treasurer; Robert G Cornwell as Vice President; Mark Kirchen as Secretary; and Joyce McKinney as a Board member.
Partners for Better Futures is led by Andrew Lederer, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Andrew Lederer
President
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Naing Lin Swe
Country Director - Burma
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$21K (2021) → $26K (2026)
Daniel Kipp
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce McKinney
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kirchen
Secretary
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert G Cornwell
Vice President
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $26K, to Naing Lin Swe (Country Director - Burma).
Frequently asked questions about Partners for Better Futures
How much does Partners for Better Futures give each year?
Partners for Better Futures reported $665K in grants paid in 2026 on its 2026 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2025 it gave $10K across 1 grant.
How large is Partners for Better Futures?
Partners for Better Futures reported $303K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $754K.
What does Partners for Better Futures fund?
PBF states that it helps improve the lives of poor people around the world, primarily focusing on children and education. It says it works with local organizations that are deeply involved in their communities and participates in carefully evaluated projects and programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Partners for Better Futures?
Partners for Better Futures has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check partnersforbetterfutures.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Partners for Better Futures make grants?
PBF’s stated and described program work spans Myanmar, India, and the Philippines. Its 2025 filing also reports support for Myanmar refugee education in bordering countries, primarily Thailand.
What is Partners for Better Futures's EIN?
Partners for Better Futures's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2274818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 23, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Partners for Better Futures funds
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