The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation
The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation (MAVF) is a private grantmaking foundation based in Stamford, Connecticut. Established as a fully funded initiative by Meera and Ashok Vasudevan, co-founders of Preferred Brands International, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to addressing hunger and malnutrition in the United States through a sustainable, self-reliant, and healthy approach.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3M
-3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$404K
+10.1% YoY
Grant Count
32
-8.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
+20.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $337K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: MAVF is dedicated to the idea that it is possible to permanently move people out of hunger and malnourishment in a manner that is sustainable, self-reliant and healthy.
Approach: The foundation provides grants, collaborates with, and supports an ecosystem of grassroots organizations, non-profits, research institutions, think tanks, independent scholars, artists, and social entrepreneurs aligned with its mission.
Three Primary Focus Areas:
Grassroots Support — Including initiatives such as:
- Green the Pantry: Ensuring availability of fresh produce in all food pantries across America to have an immediate and lasting effect on the health of pantry visitors
- Remove the Stigma: Creating a fresh market image and eliminating the embarrassment associated with visiting a pantry
Research & Policy — Supporting research grants to individual scholars, research organizations, and think tanks
Social Entrepreneurship — Funding independent social entrepreneurs working toward sustainable solutions to hunger and malnutrition
Grantmaking
The foundation provides research grants to individual scholars, research organizations, think tanks, and supports grassroots organizations and non-profits. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Grant Range
$46
Average Grant
$46
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. states and cities, including:
- Major urban centers: New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C.
- Smaller communities: Pikeville, Waban
- States with documented funding activity: California, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and others
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $4,487,364
- Total Expenses: $427,249
- Total Revenue: $182,967
- Total Liabilities: $14,500
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since January 2016
- EIN: 47-7154309
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,336,844 | $4,487,364 | $4,731,292 |
| Revenue | $314,004 | $182,967 | $278,797 |
| Expenses | $464,689 | $427,249 | $385,147 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $424,107 | $390,242 | $350,525 |
| Net Investment Income | $274,498 | $149,320 | $244,626 |
| Distributable Amount | $337,479 | $298,292 | $300,941 |
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
179 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Merit America ($50,000), Year up United ($50,000), Brooklyn Workforce Innovation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOSTON AREA GLEANERS USA ACTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BRIGHTER BITES INC HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| BROOKLYN WORKFORCE INNOVATION BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BUILDING ONE COMMUNITY STAMFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
| CARING FOR THE HUNGRY & HOMELESS PEEKSKILL, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| DAILY TABLE DORCHESTER, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN INC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK EL PASO, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| EXTRA TABLE HATTIESBURG, MS | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| FARESTART SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Co-Presidents:
- Meera Vasudevan — Co-founder and Co-President (serves without compensation)
- Ashok Vasudevan — Co-founder and Co-President (serves without compensation)
Staff:
- Bob Wells — Program Coordinator
Meera and Ashok Vasudevan met in Chennai in 1980 and were married two years later. After careers in various cities including Mumbai and New Delhi, they established their home in Stamford, Connecticut nearly 25 years ago. In 1995, they co-founded Preferred Brands International, which manufactures and markets TastyBite® and other natural and organic foods sold internationally across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Japan, and India.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHOK VASUDEVAN | CO-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MEERA VASUDEVAN | CO-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2017, Meera and Ashok Vasudevan received the Alliance to End Hunger Partnership Award, presented by Bread for the World and The Alliance to End Hunger, recognizing their work and commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition.
Contact Information
Address: 2777 Summer Street, Suite 401 Stamford, CT 06905-4324
Phone: 203-327-7151
Website: www.mavfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** MAVF is dedicated to the idea that it is possible to permanently move people out of hunger and malnourishment in a manner that is sustainable, self-reliant and healthy. **Approach:** The foundation provides grants, collaborates with, and supports an ecosystem of grassroots organizations, non-profits, research institutions, think tanks, independent scholars, artists, and social entrepreneurs aligned with its mission. **Three Primary Focus Areas:** 1. **Grassroots Support**…
How do I apply for a grant from The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $366,500 • Number of grants: 8,194 • Average grant size: $46 **Grant Types:** The foundation provides research grants to individual scholars, research organizations, think tanks, and supports grassroots organizations and non-profits. The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded. **Application Process:** Specific application procedures are not detailed in available sources. Interested organizations should con…
Where does The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. states and cities, including: • Major urban centers: New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C. • Smaller communities: Pikeville, Waban • States with documented funding activity: California, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and others
What size grants does The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation award?
In 2024, The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $404K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $337K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation's EIN?
The Meera & Ashok Vasudevan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-7154309. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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