Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It gave 10 grants totaling $628,490 in 2024, including a large in-kind grant to Kenya Wildlife Service and smaller grants to animal-care, elephant-welfare, and humanitarian organizations.
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation at a glance
In short: Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation gave $628K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), top state Maryland. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $628,490
- +45.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $62,849
- +59.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $1,397,106
- +21.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maryland (1% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Kenya Wildlife Service ($611K). Together the top 8 received $628K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 79 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The listed 2024 grants went to organizations in several locations, including Maryland, Washington, California, Missouri, Tennessee, and Florida. The largest grant was to Kenya Wildlife Service; the filing does not provide a location for that recipient. The filing’s recipient-state breakdown reports 97% under “?” and 1% for Maryland, with Washington, California, and Missouri each reported at 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation gives
- Giving grew 573% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 974% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $93K (2021) to $628K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $628K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya Wildlife Service | General & Unrestricted (IN-KIND GRANTS - SEE GENERAL EXPLANATION) | $611,340 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc Hagerstown, MD | helping those displaced in Sudan | $5,000 |
| Friends of Tri-Cities Animal Shelter Richland, WA | General & Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| International Medical Corps Los Angeles, CA | General & Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc Hagerstown, MD | Support for Sudan | $2,000 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc Hagerstown, MD | General & Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Castaway Animals Rescue Effort Verona, MO | General & Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Hohenwald, TN | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project Long Term Support Tr Jacksonville, FL | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Lighthouse Mission Ministries Bellingham, WA | General & Unrestricted | $650 |
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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 | $1,397,106 | $920,607 | $669,265 | $628,490 | 10 | $657,183 | $637,339 | $67,501 |
| 2023 | $1,145,764 | $61,499 | $481,962 | $432,670 | 11 | $469,688 | $46,676 | $73,621 |
| 2022 | $1,566,227 | $208,807 | $184,825 | $149,389 | 18 | $167,360 | $11,133 | $72,518 |
| 2021 | $1,542,245 | $583,930 | $123,398 | $93,396 | 19 | $107,121 | $67,653 | $89,618 |
| 2020 | $1,082,982 | $225,215 | $124,925 | $100,377 | 21 | — | $9,225 | $49,549 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation reported a distributable amount of $68K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in wildlife and animal care, as well as organizations providing humanitarian assistance. For example, International Medical Corps describes its mission as saving lives and relieving suffering through health interventions in communities affected by conflict, disasters, and disease outbreaks. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee says it provides lifetime care for elephants, supports elephant welfare and conservation, and promotes public education. Castaway Animals Rescue Effort describes its work as rescuing and sheltering animals and helping them find homes.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $628,490. The grants ranged from $650 to $611,340, with a median grant of $2,000. The largest was a $611,340 grant to Kenya Wildlife Service, described as “General & Unrestricted (IN-KIND GRANTS - SEE GENERAL EXPLANATION).” Other grants included $5,000 to Médecins Sans Frontières USA for “helping those displaced in Sudan”; $2,000 to Friends of Tri-Cities Animal Shelter; $2,000 to International Medical Corps; and two $2,000 grants to Médecins Sans Frontières USA, one for “Support for Sudan” and one described as general and unrestricted. The remaining grants were $1,500 to Castaway Animals Rescue Effort, $1,000 to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, $1,000 to Wounded Warrior Project Long Term Support, and $650 to Lighthouse Mission Ministries.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Neila Balolia as director; Shiraz H Balolia as director and president; and Jamila S Melius as director, secretary, treasurer, and vice president.
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation is led by Shiraz H Balolia, Director & President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shiraz H Balolia
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamila S Melius
Director, Secretary, Treasurer & Vice President
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer → Director, Secretary, Treasurer & Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Neila Balolia
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $10K, to Jamila S Melius (Dir, Sec, Treas, VP).
Frequently asked questions about Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation
How much does Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation give each year?
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation gave $628K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $433K across 11 grants.
What is Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's typical grant size?
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $62,849, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's largest grantees?
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Kenya Wildlife Service ($611,340), Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc ($9,000 across 3 grants) and Friends of Tri-Cities Animal Shelter ($2,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation?
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $657K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $68K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in wildlife and animal care, as well as organizations providing humanitarian assistance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation make grants?
The listed 2024 grants went to organizations in several locations, including Maryland, Washington, California, Missouri, Tennessee, and Florida. The largest grant was to Kenya Wildlife Service; the filing does not provide a location for that recipient. The filing’s recipient-state breakdown reports 97% under “?” and 1% for Maryland, with Washington, California, and Missouri each reported at 0%.
What is Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's EIN?
Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2307895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Shiraz and Leili Wildlife 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shiraz-and-leili-wildlife-foundation-morg_8dfef45ffaa2483c91720387301b2cb2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_262307895_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shiraz and Leili Wildlife Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shiraz-and-leili-wildlife-foundation-morg_8dfef45ffaa2483c91720387301b2cb2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Shiraz and Leili Wildlife 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.
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