The DS Foundation, also known as the Desai Sethi Family Foundation, is a private grantmaking foundation based in Miami, Florida. Established in 2004, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$8.7M
+11.5% YoY
Grant Count
17
+21.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$511K
-8.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, based on its grantmaking activity, the foundation supports:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human services
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The DS Foundation maintains significant grantmaking capacity with typical award amounts ranging from $100 to $9,200,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in:
- Florida
- New York
- California
- Massachusetts
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $191 million
- Total Expenses: $8.24 million
- Total Revenue: $11.8 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $210.88 million
- Total Giving: $8.69 million
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no liabilities and consistent annual giving capacity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
65 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Philanthropic Trust ($4,600,000), University of Miami ($4,000,000), Achieve Miami ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVE MIAMI CORAL GABLES, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $155 |
| EPIDEMIC ANSWERS INC WINDSOR, CT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,200 |
| FASPE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL ALLSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| INDIASPORA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDERS CIRCLE | $25,000 |
| INDIASPORA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | INDIASPORA FORUM FOR GOOD 2025 | $25,000 |
| LAWYERS FOR CHILDREN NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,505 |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100 |
| MARCY LAB INC BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $200 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHARAT DESAI | TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| NEERJA SETHI | TRUSTEE, VP, SECRETARY, TREASURER | 3 | — |
| SAAHILL DESAI | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| PIA DESAI | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting research and educational initiatives, with recent grant announcements and scholarship program offerings through the Samvid Scholars initiative.
Announcing DSF\u2019s 2025 Grant Awards - Dravet Syndrome FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ds Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, based on its grantmaking activity, the foundation supports: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human services • Philanthropy and grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from The Ds Foundation?
The DS Foundation maintains significant grantmaking capacity with typical award amounts ranging from $100 to $9,200,000. Recent grantmaking activity includes the **Samvid Scholars** program, a merit-based scholarship and leadership initiative for mission-driven graduate students committed to positive social change. This program provides financial support for tuition and fees along with two years of leadership development, mentorship, and access to a community of changemakers. The program offers…
Where does The Ds Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in: • Florida • New York • California • Massachusetts
What size grants does The Ds Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ds Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $8.7M — an average of about $511K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Ds Foundation's EIN?
The Ds Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2115627. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ds 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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