The Swaha Foundation is a private foundation based in Boulder, Colorado, established in 2019. It operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with a focus on strategic philanthropic investments that empower lasting change through support of nonprofit organizations working in education, human rights, and economic opportunity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.8M
-1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$467K
-45.8% YoY
Grant Count
24
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-27.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Swaha Foundation reported a distributable amount of $875K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation is committed to breaking cycles of poverty and supporting nonprofit organizations that provide individuals and communities with resources and tools needed for self-sufficiency and financial independence.
Primary Focus Areas:
Education — The Foundation supports equitable access to quality educational opportunities, encompassing both traditional classroom learning and nature/climate education. It works to dismantle barriers that under-resourced youth face in accessing education through scholarships and direct organizational support.
Human Rights — The Foundation's most globally-scoped thematic area, supporting nonprofits worldwide working to enrich and empower under-resourced communities. This includes work on affordable housing, economic opportunity, and support for marginalized populations including immigrants, Native Americans, and indigenous communities.
Grantmaking
The Foundation makes general support grants to partner organizations. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation supports organizations with both domestic and international reach. Domestic focus includes work in Colorado and other U.S. markets. International grantmaking extends to organizations working in Guatemala, India, Togo, and other global locations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $17,778,866 (2024)
Total Revenues: $814,475 (2024)
Total Expenses: $655,936 (2024)
Employees: 0 (2024)
The Foundation received a transfer from the Richard C. Goldstein Private Foundation in 2021 ($78,102), indicating a succession or consolidation of family foundation assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,778,866 | $17,968,444 | $18,085,394 |
| Revenue | $814,475 | $-33,812 | $242,416 |
| Expenses | $655,936 | $1,119,852 | $842,795 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $707,296 | $1,022,478 | $661,991 |
| Net Investment Income | $652,609 | $94,082 | $81,690 |
| Distributable Amount | $874,780 | $867,520 | $1,052,037 |
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
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Watershed School ($110,436), Girl Rising ($51,000), Girl Ventures ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pathfinders Fort Worth, TX | General Support | $500 |
| Girl Rising Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $51,000 |
| Conservation Colorado Education Fun Denver, CO | General Support | $30,000 |
| Neshama Center Aspen, CO | General Support | $180 |
| Moving Traditions Elkins Park, PA | General Support | $5,000 |
| Independence Pass Fund Aspen, CO | General Support | $500 |
| English in Action Basalt, CO | General Support | $5,000 |
| Sounds True Foundation Louisville, CO | General Support | $500 |
| Protect Our Winters Boulder, CO | General Support | $500 |
| Watershed School Boulder, CO | General Support | $110,436 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Julie A. Goldstein — Executive Director
Goldstein brings extensive background in education and nonprofit leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and multiple graduate degrees including a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado and a Master of Arts in Contemplative Education from Naropa University. She has professional experience as an educator, Outward Bound trip leader, and nonprofit program manager. She has served on boards of grassroots organizations, family foundations, and alternative independent schools. Goldstein is an adoptive parent and has been involved in family foundation work for many years, which shaped her approach to intentional philanthropic investment.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie Goldstein | President | 40 | $80,738 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In October 2023, the Foundation piloted a new philanthropic initiative by sponsoring 11 nonprofit leaders from six partner organizations to attend Opportunity Collaboration in the Dominican Republic. This annual conference convenes diverse and global nonprofit leaders, funders, and ecosystem partners for connection, learning, and community cultivation. The initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to extending support beyond traditional funding to include leadership development training and peer-to-peer learning among grantee partners.
Templeton Foundation awards $1.2M grant for global training in religion,The Foundation has published insights on its evolving approach to family philanthropy and continues to emphasize intentional investment in organizational leadership as a strategy for creating enduring change.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Swaha Foundation fund?
The Foundation is committed to breaking cycles of poverty and supporting nonprofit organizations that provide individuals and communities with resources and tools needed for self-sufficiency and financial independence. **Primary Focus Areas:** **Education** — The Foundation supports equitable access to quality educational opportunities, encompassing both traditional classroom learning and nature/climate education. It works to dismantle barriers that under-resourced youth face in accessing educa…
How do I apply for a grant from The Swaha Foundation?
The Foundation makes general support grants to partner organizations. Recent grant activity includes: • Watershed School: $110,436 (2024) • Girl Rising: $51,000 (2024) • Amplify Girls: $50,000 (2024) The Foundation made 32 grants in the most recent reporting year and maintains a commitment to unrestricted funding, acknowledging the multifaceted challenges faced by nonprofits. Beyond traditional grantmaking, the Foundation has piloted innovative support mechanisms, including sponsoring nonprofit…
Where does The Swaha Foundation make grants?
The Foundation supports organizations with both domestic and international reach. Domestic focus includes work in Colorado and other U.S. markets. International grantmaking extends to organizations working in Guatemala, India, Togo, and other global locations.
What size grants does The Swaha Foundation award?
In 2024, The Swaha Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $467K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Swaha Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Swaha Foundation reported a distributable amount of $875K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Swaha Foundation's EIN?
The Swaha Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-3505984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Swaha 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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