The Velaj Foundation
The Velaj Foundation is a private foundation based in Stamford, Connecticut. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in health, education, literacy, food assistance, and community services.
The Velaj Foundation at a glance
In short: The Velaj Foundation gave $256K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Connecticut. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $256,300
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,300
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $3,750,847
- -6.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Velaj Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 110306, Stamford, CT 06911-0306
Phone: (203) 912-3731
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Velaj Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Stamford Hospital Foundation ($61K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $256K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 81 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut and 20% to recipients in Washington, DC. Florida received 6% and Kansas 1%, as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Velaj Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 222% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $200K (2020) to $256K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $256K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamford Hospital Foundation Stamford, CT | Women and Babies Center | $60,000 |
| Stamford Museum and Nature Center Stamford, CT | Astronomy Center | $60,000 |
| Education for Employment Washington, DC | Innovation Award | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Stamford Inc Stamford, CT | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Family Centers Inc Greenwich, CT | Literacy Program | $25,000 |
| Filling in the Blanks Norwalk, CT | Weekend Food | $15,000 |
| Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition Boynton Beach, FL | Literacy Program | $15,000 |
| Greenwich Scholarship Association Greenwich, CT | Scholarships | $2,000 |
| Kansas University Endowment Association Lawrence, KS | Hopkins Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Stamford Hospital Foundation Stamford, CT | General Operating Support | $1,200 |
Ready to take the next step with The Velaj Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,750,847 | $230,402 | $482,688 | $256,300 | 11 | $432,604 | $190,176 | $195,105 |
| 2024 | $4,003,133 | $441,230 | $377,389 | $202,200 | 11 | $336,747 | $403,488 | $193,347 |
| 2023 | $3,939,292 | $128,797 | $400,120 | $213,750 | 19 | $364,251 | $95,118 | $189,400 |
| 2022 | $4,210,615 | $189,693 | $398,148 | $205,400 | 17 | $357,509 | $157,614 | $213,081 |
| 2021 | $4,419,070 | $649,768 | $405,117 | $232,250 | 23 | $370,053 | $615,752 | $239,777 |
| 2020 | $4,174,419 | $188,242 | $366,193 | $199,500 | 25 | — | $156,004 | $222,440 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Velaj Foundation reported a distributable amount of $195K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for a hospital’s Women and Babies Center, an astronomy center, an education innovation award, literacy programs, weekend food, scholarships, and general operating support.
The grantees describe their own work as follows: Family Centers Inc. says its mission is to empower children, adults, families, and communities to realize their potential. Filling in the Blanks says it fights childhood hunger by providing meals to children in need on weekends. The Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition describes its mission as supporting the coalition, and the Greenwich Scholarship Association says it provides need-based financial assistance to graduating students pursuing higher education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $256,300. Grant amounts ranged from $1,100 to $60,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
Notable 2025 grants included $60,000 to Stamford Hospital Foundation for its Women and Babies Center and $60,000 to Stamford Museum and Nature Center for its Astronomy Center. Education for Employment received $50,000 for an innovation award. Other grants included $25,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Stamford for general operating support; $25,000 to Family Centers Inc. for a literacy program; and $15,000 each to Filling in the Blanks for weekend food and Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition for a literacy program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alexander Velaj as director and president; Patricia Wells Velaj as director, vice president, treasurer, and secretary; Grace C Velaj as director, assistant treasurer, and program officer; and Caroline A Velaj as a director, beginning April 3, 2025.
The Velaj Foundation is led by Alexander Velaj, Director & President on every filing since 2020; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alexander Velaj
Director & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$92K (2020) → $99K (2025)
Patricia Wells Velaj
Director, Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $19K (2025)
Grace C. Velaj
Director, Assistant Treasurer & Program Officer
Director & Program Officer → Director, Assistant Treasurer & Program Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$1K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Caroline A. Velaj
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$3K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Nicole R. Velaj (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Thru 20/23/7/2002
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $99K, to Alexander Velaj (Director, President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Velaj Foundation
How much does The Velaj Foundation give each year?
The Velaj Foundation gave $256K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $202K across 11 grants.
What is The Velaj Foundation's typical grant size?
The Velaj Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $23,300, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Velaj Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Velaj Foundation give grants?
The Velaj Foundation gives mostly in Connecticut: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (20%) and Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stamford, CT (4 grants) and Greenwich, CT (3 grants).
Does The Velaj Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 27% of The Velaj Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Velaj Foundation's largest grantees?
The Velaj Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Stamford Hospital Foundation ($61,200 across 2 grants), Stamford Museum and Nature Center ($60,000) and Education for Employment ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Velaj Foundation?
The Velaj Foundation reported $3.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $433K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $195K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Velaj Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for a hospital’s Women and Babies Center, an astronomy center, an education innovation award, literacy programs, weekend food, scholarships, and general operating support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Velaj Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does The Velaj Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 20, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Velaj Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Connecticut
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Viking Global Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
423
Total Given
$3.6M
Fairfield County's Community Foundation Inc
Norwalk, CT
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation funds local nonprofits addressing education and careers, economic security, health equity, housing, civic engagement, and related community needs in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Awards vary widely: capacity-building grants are up to $10,000, Community Impact Grants are $10,000–$15,000, and reported 2025 grants had a median of $24,080. It accepts unsolicited applications for some programs, including rolling capacity-building and small-grant opportunities; Strategic Partner Grants are invitation-only.
Assets
$291.4M
Grants
448
Total Given
$25.7M
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
American Savings Foundation Inc
New Britain, CT
The foundation funds education, human services, and arts and culture, especially programs serving children, youth, and families, with a primary focus on New Britain and Waterbury and grants across 64 Connecticut towns. In 2025, its grants ranged from $238 to $150,000, with a median of $1,750; it also offers Community Grants of up to $5,000.
Assets
$107.0M
Grants
613
Total Given
$3.4M
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Hartford, CT
The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation funds nonprofits, agencies, and scholarships, with priorities including equity, social and economic mobility, community wellbeing, civic engagement, and arts and culture. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $21,600, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.48 million, and it primarily serves 29 towns in Greater Hartford. It offers annual, priority-aligned grant opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
613
Total Given
$52.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Velaj Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-velaj-foundation-morg_f53cb5302efd4f84a2f416bc2c8b8035
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261102664_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Velaj Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-velaj-foundation-morg_f53cb5302efd4f84a2f416bc2c8b8035},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Velaj Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Velaj Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?