The Samarth Foundation
The Samarth Foundation is a private foundation, based in Los Altos Hills, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $156K. Net investment income was $70K.
The Samarth Foundation at a glance
In short: The Samarth Foundation gave $156K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $155,557
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,222
- -13.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,023,735
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (79% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Samarth Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund ($110K). Together the top 7 received $156K.
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 29 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Samarth Foundation gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $129K (2021) to $170K (2022). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $156K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Berkeley, CA | To Encourage and Promote Philanthropy and Charitable Giving | $110,000 |
| American India Foundation New York, NY | Committed to improving the lives of india's underprivileged--with a special focus on women, children, and youth--through high impact interventions in education, livelihoods, and public health | $24,400 |
| Foundation for Excellence Sunnyvale, CA | To provide college scholarships to students who, although financially constrained, showed great promise in the technological, engineering and medical fields, three of the most expensive higher education programs in india | $10,000 |
| Save the Children Fairfield, CT | To ensure childrens unique needs are met and their voices are heard | $5,000 |
| Palestine Children's Relief Fund Los Angeles, CA | To provide free medical care and humanitarian aid for any child in the middle east, regardless of their religion or politics | $2,500 |
| Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA Pittsboro, NC | To challenge the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities | $2,500 |
| 19TH News Austin, TX | To empower women and lgbtq+ people -- particularly those from underrepresented communities -- with the information, resources and tools they need to be equal participants in our democracy | $1,157 |
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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 | $2,023,735 | $86,852 | $183,885 | $155,557 | 7 | $155,557 | $69,689 | $166,575 |
| 2023 | $2,125,668 | $141,375 | $181,794 | $154,901 | 6 | $154,901 | $125,906 | $149,338 |
| 2022 | $2,171,437 | $156,004 | $200,231 | $170,000 | 3 | $171,600 | $137,195 | $161,916 |
| 2021 | $2,205,412 | $111,409 | $146,900 | $129,001 | 7 | — | $93,570 | $165,104 |
| 2020 | $2,245,098 | $126,683 | $146,897 | $131,000 | 6 | — | $80,981 | $139,078 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Samarth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $167K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Samarth Foundation is led by Vivek Paul, President & Chairperson on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Vivek Paul
President & Chairperson
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kunal Lakhan-Pal
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shreya Lakhan-Pal
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nilita Paul
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/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.
Frequently asked questions about The Samarth Foundation
How much does The Samarth Foundation give each year?
The Samarth Foundation gave $156K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $155K across 6 grants.
What is The Samarth Foundation's typical grant size?
The Samarth Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $22,222, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Samarth Foundation give grants?
The Samarth Foundation gives mostly in California: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (16%).
Does The Samarth Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Samarth Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Samarth Foundation's largest grantees?
The Samarth Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund ($110,000), American India Foundation ($24,400) and Foundation for Excellence ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Samarth Foundation?
The Samarth Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $156K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $167K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Samarth Foundation's EIN?
The Samarth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3832894. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Samarth Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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