The Velaj Foundation

STAMFORD, CT EIN: 26-1102664

The Velaj Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in STAMFORD, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $202K. Net investment income was $403K.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.0M

+1.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$202K

-5.4% YoY

Grant Count

11

-42.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

+63.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Velaj Foundation reported a distributable amount of $193K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Velaj Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The Velaj Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in STAMFORD, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 11 grants totaling $202K. Net investment income was $403K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

14states
+6 more states

Cities

BloomfieldCos CobDarienEastoverFrankfortGaithersburgGreenwichHonoluluJuno BeachLawrenceLittle RockMadisonMemphisNantucketNew GlarusNew OrleansNorwalkSouthportStamfordWashington

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$179K$357K$536K$715K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$4,003,133$3,939,292$4,210,615
Revenue$441,230$128,797$189,693
Expenses$377,389$400,120$398,148
Qualifying Distributions$336,747$364,251$357,509
Net Investment Income$403,488$95,118$157,614
Distributable Amount$193,347$189,400$213,081

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$58K$116K$174K$232K25 grants202023 grants202117 grants202219 grants202311 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT$75KSTAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDA…$30KSTAMFORD MUSEUM AND NATU…$30KFAMILY CENTERS INC$25KFILLING IN THE BLANKS$15KMILL RIVER COLLABORATIVE$15KEDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT$5KFINAL VICTORY ANIMAL RES…$2KGREENWICH SCHOLARSHIP AS…$2KKU ENDOWMENT$2K

Grant Size Distribution

95 grants across all recorded years

90<$50K5$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Education for Employment ($75,000), Stamford Hospital Foundation ($30,000), Stamford Museum and Nature Center ($30,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WASHINGTON, DCCAPITAL CAMPAIGN$5,000
EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WASHINGTON, DCINNOVATION AWARD$75,000
FAMILY CENTERS INC GREENWICH, CTADULT LITERACY PROGRAM$25,000
FILLING IN THE BLANKS NORWALK, CTWEEKEND FOOD$15,000
FINAL VICTORY ANIMAL RESCUE EASTOVER, SCGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT$2,000
GREENWICH SCHOLARSHIP ASSOCIATION GREENWICH, CTSCHOLARSHIPS$2,000
KU ENDOWMENT LAWRENCE, KSHOPKINS SCHOLARSHIP$2,000
MILL RIVER COLLABORATIVE STAMFORD, CTYOUTH WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT$15,000
STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION STAMFORD, CTWOMEN AND BABIES CENTER$30,000
STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION STAMFORD, CTVAN MUNCHING REHABILITATION UNIT$1,200

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

ALEXANDER VELAJDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT$92KPATRICIA WELLS VELAJDIRECTOR, VP, TREASURER, SEC…$14KGRACE C VELAJDIRECTOR, PROGRAM OFFICER$4K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ALEXANDER VELAJDIRECTOR, PRESIDENT40$92,400
PATRICIA WELLS VELAJDIRECTOR, VP, TREASURER, SECRETARY1.5$14,000
GRACE C VELAJDIRECTOR, PROGRAM OFFICER1$4,000

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Velaj Foundation?

The Velaj Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in STAMFORD, CT. It holds $4.0M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Velaj Foundation?

As of 2024, The Velaj Foundation holds $4.0M in total assets with $441K in annual revenue. It awarded 11 grants totaling $202K in 2024.

Where does The Velaj Foundation operate?

The Velaj Foundation has awarded grants in Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin.

What size grants does The Velaj Foundation award?

In 2024, The Velaj Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $202K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Velaj Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Velaj Foundation reported a distributable amount of $193K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Velaj Foundation's EIN?

The Velaj Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1102664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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