Tibetan Nuns Project
Tibetan Nuns Project is a public charity based in Seattle, Washington, that supports the education and empowerment of Tibetan Buddhist nuns and educational institutions that sustain Tibetan religion and culture. Its website says it was founded in 1987; its 2025 filing lists 1994 as the year formed.
Tibetan Nuns Project at a glance
In short: Tibetan Nuns Project reported $1.0M in grants paid in 2026 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2026)
- $1,016,654 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- -5.0% vs 2025
- Total assets
- $5,334,596
- +27.8% vs 2025
- Revenue (2026)
- $2,518,314
- +43.4% vs 2025
- Net investment income (2026)
- $182,835
- +9.7% vs 2025
- Expenses (2026)
- $1,501,468
- -1.7% vs 2025
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Tibetan Nuns Project
- Contact
Mailing address: 815 Seattle Blvd S Ste 418, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: (206) 652-8901
Website: https://tnp.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Tibetan Nuns Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Seattle, Washington. Its stated program work serves nuns and nunneries in India, including northern India and Himalayan areas such as Kinnaur, Spiti, Ladakh, and Zanskar.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2022) to $1.1M (2025). In 2026 it reported $1.0M in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tibet Fund New York, NY | Grant to provide general aid to the Himalayan COVID-19 Task Force to carry out COVID response activities in the geographic areas in which nuns supported by the organization live. Because COVID-19 is known to spread quickly through communities, aid to the communities where the nuns live will directly benefit the nuns. | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $5,334,596 | $2,518,314 | $1,501,468 | $1,016,654 | Total only | $182,835 |
| 2025 | $4,174,186 | $1,756,354 | $1,527,875 | $1,070,090 | Total only | $166,659 |
| 2024 | $3,897,430 | $1,380,787 | $1,468,295 | $1,022,486 | Total only | $120,929 |
| 2023 | $3,838,207 | $2,424,985 | $1,144,458 | $760,511 | Total only | $52,049 |
| 2022 | $2,625,789 | $1,755,283 | $958,335 | $15,000 | 1 | $19,656 |
| 2021 | $1,844,993 | $1,777,399 | $1,111,705 | $774,613 | Total only | $1,172 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to educate and empower nuns of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as teachers and leaders, and to establish, strengthen, and support educational institutions to preserve Tibetan religion and culture.
Its programs include education and higher studies, teacher salaries, housing, food, shelter, health care, retreats, and an annual inter-nunnery debate. The organization’s website also identifies current needs such as elder-nun housing, temple-roof repairs, and a long-term stability fund. Its 2025 filing describes funding for the care and education of more than 800 nuns in eight nunneries in the Himalayan region of India.
Grantmaking
The 2024, 2025, and 2026 filings each report zero grants. Separately, the available grant record lists a 2022 award of $15,000 to Tibet Fund Inc. The grantee describes its mission as safeguarding Tibet’s cultural heritage and strengthening Tibetan communities, in exile and inside Tibet. No typical grant size or application process is stated.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2026 filing are Lisa Farmer, Executive Director; Robin Groth, Dechen Tsering, Jalene Szuba, and Frederica Lofquist, Directors; Elizabeth Napper, Chair; Tseten Phanucharas, Vice Chair; Steve Wilhelm, Secretary; and Elizabeth Goldblatt, Treasurer.
Tibetan Nuns Project is led by Lisa Farmer, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Lisa Farmer
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$95K (2021) → $123K (2026)
Elizabeth Napper
Chair
President → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dechen Tsering
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Groth
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jalene Szuba
Director
On filings since 2025
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frederica Lofquist
Director
New on the 2026 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Goldblatt
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Wilhelm
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tseten Phanucharas
Vice Chair
Vice President → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Vicki Robinson (2021–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $123K, to Lisa Farmer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Tibetan Nuns Project
How much does Tibetan Nuns Project give each year?
Tibetan Nuns Project reported $1.0M in grants paid in 2026 on its 2026 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2025 it reported $1.1M in grants paid.
How large is Tibetan Nuns Project?
Tibetan Nuns Project reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.5M.
What does Tibetan Nuns Project fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to educate and empower nuns of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as teachers and leaders, and to establish, strengthen, and support educational institutions to preserve Tibetan religion and culture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tibetan Nuns Project?
Tibetan Nuns Project has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check tnp.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Tibetan Nuns Project make grants?
The organization is based in Seattle, Washington. Its stated program work serves nuns and nunneries in India, including northern India and Himalayan areas such as Kinnaur, Spiti, Ladakh, and Zanskar.
What is Tibetan Nuns Project's EIN?
Tibetan Nuns Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0327175. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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