The Shen Family Foundation
The Shen Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlottesville, Virginia, established in 1994. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on supporting arts and culture, education, and health initiatives across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.6M
-9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+13.2% YoY
Grant Count
28
+12.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+1.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:
Arts and Culture
- Performing arts
- Theater
- Musical theater
Education
- Higher education
Health
- In-patient medical care
- Hospital care
- Specialty hospital care
- Cancer-related issues
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with significant annual giving. In 2023, the foundation made 29 grants totaling approximately $1.1 million in expenses.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states, with documented funding activity in Alabama, California, Connecticut, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $10,662,358
- Total Revenues: $90,104
- Total Expenses: $1,119,694
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $384,178
- Investment income and dividends: $322,048
The foundation is supported by the Shen Family 2003 Charitable Lead Annuity Trust.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,642,830 | $10,662,358 | $11,691,948 |
| Revenue | $605,748 | $90,104 | $608,694 |
| Expenses | $1,270,276 | $1,119,694 | $1,275,806 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,230,835 | $1,087,492 | $1,244,350 |
| Net Investment Income | $572,057 | $290,053 | $272,099 |
| Distributable Amount | $656,036 | $601,029 | $630,470 |
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
122 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees Theodore P. Shen and Carla Shen, both of whom serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THEODORE P SHEN | TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
| CARLA SHEN | TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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