The Li Lu Foundation (also known as The Li Lu Humanitarian Foundation) is a private grantmaking foundation based in Seattle, Washington. Established in 2012, the foundation makes grants to organizations working to improve the lives of people in need. The foundation is supported by Li Lu, founder and chairman of Himalaya Capital.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.9M
-28.3% YoY
Grant Count
12
-53.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$321K
+55.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's approach focuses on human rights, education, and disaster relief. The foundation makes grants to organizations that work to improve the lives of people in need, reflecting Li Lu's personal commitment to these causes.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $5,000–$2,000,000
How to Apply
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals. All grants are made exclusively to pre-selected organizations identified by the foundation's leadership.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
National and international, with emphasis on U.S. cities and China.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $80,479,131
- Total Revenue: $17,829,077
- Total Expenses: $5,655,456
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $102,900,000
| 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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Asian American Foundation ($2,000,000), Columbia University ($1,002,500), Endowment of the Us Institute of Peace ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY AND STUDENT BODY AND SUPPORT | $1,002,500 |
| COMMITTEE OF 100 NEW YORK, NY | CONTRUBUTION TO SUPPORT PARTICIPATION OF CHINESE AMERICANS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY | $50,000 |
| EDWARD CHARLES FOUNDATION BEVERLY HILLS, CA | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IMPACTING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES IN WORTHWHILE CAUSES | $50,000 |
| ENDOWMENT OF THE US INSTITUTE OF PEACE WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IN FURTHERANCE OF THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE | $300,000 |
| NYU STERN BUSINESS SCHOOL NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT THE EDUCATION PROVIDED BY STERN BUSINESS SCHOOL | $33,400 |
| SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SEATTLE, WA | TO | $50,000 |
| ST THOMAS SCHOOL MEDINA, WA | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATION | $31,000 |
| THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY IN THEIR PURSUIT OF BELONGING AND PROSPERITY THAT IS FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION, SLANDER, AND VIOLENCE. | $2,000,000 |
| THE PARADISE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES | $103,098 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO LA JOLLA, CA | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION | $120,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI LU | GRANTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, Li Lu made a $15 million gift to Columbia Law School to support the renovation of the law school library. This gift followed a previous donor's withdrawal from the project.
Contact Information
Address: 1301 2nd Ave Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98101-3800
Phone: 206-707-0768
EIN: 45-5193233
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since August 2012
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Li Lu Foundation fund?
The foundation's approach focuses on human rights, education, and disaster relief. The foundation makes grants to organizations that work to improve the lives of people in need, reflecting Li Lu's personal commitment to these causes.
How do I apply for a grant from The Li Lu Foundation?
**Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals. All grants are made exclusively to pre-selected organizations identified by the foundation's leadership. **Grant Activity:** • 2023: $5,375,800 distributed across 26 awards • 2024: $3,854,998 distributed • 2022: 20 awards made • 2021: 26 awards made **Typical Grant Range:** $5,000–$2,000,000 **Recent Recipients (2023):** • Columbia University: $1,005,000 (support for faculty, student body development,…
Where does The Li Lu Foundation make grants?
National and international, with emphasis on U.S. cities and China.
What size grants does The Li Lu Foundation award?
In 2024, The Li Lu Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $3.9M — an average of about $321K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Li Lu Foundation's EIN?
The Li Lu Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5193233. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Li Lu 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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