Sahara Foundation
Sahara Foundation is a private foundation based in Tampa, Florida. In 2024, it made 23 grants totaling $45,150 to charitable organizations, with stated grant purposes including education, food, shelter, and relief.
Sahara Foundation at a glance
In short: Sahara Foundation gave $45K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), top state Florida. 61% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $45,150
- -12.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -8.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,963
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $914,558
- -29.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 61% first-time grantees (14 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (46% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sahara Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 18003 Cozumel Isle Dr, Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: (630) 759-4981
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sahara Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Palm (Makkiyah) Ed ($11K). Together the top 10 received $36K.
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 114 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Florida recipients received 46% of grant dollars, Illinois recipients 26%, Michigan 7%, New York 6%, and Virginia 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sahara Foundation open to new grantees?
61%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 23 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 26% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $31K (2020) to $52K (2022). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Palm (Makkiyah) Ed Thonotosassa, FL | Education | $10,850 |
| Kindy Academy Lisle, IL | Education | $8,800 |
| Bright Futures Tallahassee, FL | Education | $7,840 |
| Life USA Southfield, MI | FOOD | $2,000 |
| One Ummah Foundation Lake Oswego, OR | Rohingya | $1,500 |
| Masjid Darus Salaam (Isonet) Thonotosassa, FL | Local Masjid Zakat | $1,200 |
| Icna New Hyde Park, NY | Food Shelter | $1,100 |
| Islamic Relief Alexandria, VA | Food Gaza | $1,060 |
| Zakat Foundation India Garden City, NY | RELEIF | $1,000 |
| ICO Irving, TX | AFRICA | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sahara 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $914,558 | $47,398 | $54,900 | $45,150 | 23 | $54,900 | — | — |
| 2023 | $1,288,484 | $21,256 | $51,526 | $51,526 | 25 | $83,990 | — | $1,051 |
| 2022 | $2,204,466 | $792,011 | $61,489 | $51,639 | 28 | $61,489 | $161 | $70,742 |
| 2021 | $1,333,944 | $709,731 | $40,062 | $40,062 | 16 | $40,062 | $3 | $65,041 |
| 2020 | $664,275 | $726,639 | $62,364 | $31,364 | 22 | — | $3 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for education, food, shelter, relief, and other purposes identified in the grant descriptions.
Among its recipients, AL-FURQAAN FOUNDATION describes its mission as informing and educating U.S. residents about Islam and its core principles, countering negative media information about Islam, and producing and distributing literature. FMS WELFARE TRUST says it helps and supports the offspring of Prophet Mohammad and deserving families worldwide, including through student scholarships. Each received $500 in 2024.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $45,150 through 23 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $10,850, with a median of $1,000.
The largest grants included $10,850 to PALM (MAKKIYAH) ED for education, $8,800 to KINDY ACADEMY for education, and $7,840 to BRIGHT FUTURES for education. Other grants included $2,000 to LIFE USA for food, $1,500 to ONE UMMAH FOUNDATION for Rohingya support, and $1,200 to MASJID DARUS SALAAM for local masjid zakat.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
MOHAMMED M HUSSAINI was listed as trustee on the 2024 filing.
Sahara Foundation is led by Mohammed M. Hussaini, Trustee since 2021 (on filings since 2020) — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mohammed M. Hussaini
Trustee
Trusee → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Sahara Foundation
How much does Sahara Foundation give each year?
Sahara Foundation gave $45K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $52K across 25 grants.
What is Sahara Foundation's typical grant size?
Sahara Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,963, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sahara Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Sahara Foundation give grants?
Sahara Foundation's top state is Florida, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (26%) and Michigan (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Thonotosassa, FL (2 grants).
Does Sahara Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 9% of Sahara Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Education" (9 grants).
Who are Sahara Foundation's largest grantees?
Sahara Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Palm (Makkiyah) Ed ($10,850), Kindy Academy ($8,800) and Bright Futures ($7,840), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sahara Foundation?
Sahara Foundation reported $915K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $47K.
What does Sahara Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for education, food, shelter, relief, and other purposes identified in the grant descriptions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sahara Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sahara Foundation's EIN?
Sahara Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6667459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sahara Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sahara Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
American Muslim Community Foundation
Fremont, CA
The American Muslim Community Foundation funds U.S. tax-exempt charities across a range of causes, including basic needs, Muslim community inclusion, civic engagement, and civil rights. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000 and ranged from $5,001 to $174,335. It says new open grant opportunities will be posted when available; donor-advised fund grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$7.7M
Grants
146
Total Given
$3.0M
Amin & Rubina Chikhalia Foundation
Temple Terr, FL
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
66
Total Given
$88K
The Tabbaa Foundation
Southfield, MI
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
30
Total Given
$101K
Noor Munshi Foundation
Katy, TX
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable work, including relief, education, humanitarian aid, and advocacy, with most 2024 funding going to organizations in Texas, followed by Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $300 to $106,945, with a median of $7,035. It accepts unsolicited requests by mail describing the charity and its programs; the deadline is October 31.
Assets
$636K
Grants
27
Total Given
$456K
Saif and Lubna Foundation
Plano, TX
The SAIF AND LUBNA FOUNDATION supports charitable organizations working in areas such as Islamic education, humanitarian aid, hunger relief, health and social welfare, and clean water, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Texas organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $27,000, with a median of $3,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.2M
Grants
59
Total Given
$253K
Sidra Foundation
Tampa, FL
In 2023, the Sidra Foundation funded education, community support, religious education, and humanitarian organizations, with grants ranging from $100 to $123,080 and a median grant of $2,500. It is based in Tampa, Florida, and most grant dollars went to organizations in Florida and Illinois. The foundation funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$198K
Grants
99
Total Given
$653K
More similar funders
More Funders in Florida
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Sahara 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.
Sahara Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?