The Malala Fund
We work to ensure all girls can access and complete 12 years of education. By completing 12 years of quality schooling, girls will have the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to reach their full potential, make their own life choices and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
The Malala Fund at a glance
In short: The Malala Fund gave $1.5M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $190K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,523,000
- +90.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $190,375
- +90.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $142,500
- Total assets
- $54,521,948
- -15.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (45% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Malala Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Atlantic Council US ($450K). Together the top 8 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 16 grants of 25 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Malala Fund gives
- Giving grew 238% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2021) to $1.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Council US Washington, DC | Advocacy to Recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan | $450,000 |
| Defaw Inc Brentwood, CA | Advocacy to Recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan | $250,000 |
| Civic Engagement Project DBA Institute for State Effectiveness Washington, DC | Advocacy to Recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan | $239,000 |
| Wartists (Artlords) Ashburn, VA | Amplify Issue of Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan | $150,000 |
| Players Philanthropy Fund Towson, MD | Advocacy to Recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan | $135,000 |
| International Network for Aid Relief and Assistance New York, NY | Support Education of Girls Affected by Conflict | $100,000 |
| Kids in Need of Development Education & Relief Dallas, TX | Support Education of Girls Affected by Conflict | $100,000 |
| The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University Stanford, CA | Host Events to Deepen Understanding of Gender Apartheid | $99,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,521,948 | $15,332,511 | $22,953,149 | $1,523,000 | 8 | $863,162 |
| 2024 | $64,233,745 | $17,216,455 | $26,271,198 | $800,000 | 8 | $689,997 |
| 2023 | $71,574,894 | $55,818,336 | $26,643,480 | $302,000 | 3 | $497,729 |
| 2022 | $40,557,471 | $29,060,686 | $20,849,933 | $450,441 | 5 | $74,943 |
| 2021 | $27,986,421 | $16,339,930 | $11,053,039 | $50,000 | 1 | $279,375 |
About The Malala Fund
Based on IRS filings
The Malala Fund is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $54.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.5M. Net investment income was $863K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Malala Fund is led by Lena Alfi, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lena Alfi
Chief Executive Officer
Acting CEO & CDO → CEO, 2024
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
39 hrs/week
$117K (2021) → $333K (2025)
Modupe Adefeso-Olateju
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Member Then Chair, 2024
Board Member Then Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julius Dasmarinas
Mel Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$189K (2025)
McKinley Tretler
Communications Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$199K (2025)
Humaira Wakili
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
39 hrs/week
$140K (2024) → $224K (2025)
Erin Hohlfelder
Chief Adviser
Chief Advisor → Chief Adviser, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$179K (2024) → $296K (2025)
Anjali Singh-Code
Chief Growth Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$203K (2025)
Kimberly Miller
Mel Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$173K (2025)
Lynn Taliento
Treasurer & Board Member
Treasurer & Director → Treasurer & Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan McCaw
Board Member
Chair to Director → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ziauddin Yousafzai
Board Member
Honorary Chairperson → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Malala Yousafzai
Board Member
Board Chair → Chair Then Board Member, 2024
Chair Then Board Member → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pearl Uzokwe
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Nakate
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Ganju
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Raoul Davion (2021–2024) — Chief Account. & Impact Officer
- Former: Carine Umuhumuza (2022–2024) — Chief Comms. & Creative Officer
- Former: Andrew Stanecki (2023–2024) — Controller
- Former: Leila Seradj (2024) — Grants Director
- Former: Alaa Murabit (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Amanda Cosby (2021–2023) — Secretary & COO
- Former: Francoise Moudouthe (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Philippa Lei See Schedule O. (2021–2023) — Chief of Global Advocacy
- Former: Suzanne Ehlers (2021–2023) — CEO
- Former: Gaya Butler See Schedule O. (2023) — Chief of Country Program & Advocacy
- Former: Maliha Khan See Schedule O. (2021–2022) — Chief Programmes Officer
- Former: Taylor Royle (2021–2022) — Chief Comms. Officer & Special Advisor
- Former: Mabel Van Oranje (2021) — Director
- Former: Malala Yousafzai - Honorary (2021) — Chairperson to Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $333K, to Lena Alfi (Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Malala Fund
How much does The Malala Fund give each year?
The Malala Fund gave $1.5M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $800K across 8 grants.
What is The Malala Fund's typical grant size?
The Malala Fund's median grant in 2025 was $142,500, and its average grant was $190,375, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Malala Fund give grants?
The Malala Fund's top state is District of Columbia, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (23%) and Virginia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Malala Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Malala Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advocacy to Recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan" (4 grants).
Who are The Malala Fund's largest grantees?
The Malala Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Atlantic Council US ($450,000), Defaw Inc ($250,000) and Civic Engagement Project DBA Institute for State Effectiveness ($239,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Malala Fund?
The Malala Fund reported $54.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.3M.
What is The Malala Fund?
The Malala Fund is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. It holds $54.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Malala Fund's EIN?
The Malala Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1397590. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Malala Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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