Ahimsa Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Niwot, CO EIN: 85-2700743

Ahimsa Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Niwot, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.0B in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $73.1M. Net investment income was $154.0M.

Key facts about Ahimsa Foundation

In short: Ahimsa Foundation gave $73.1M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $14.6M), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
85-2700743
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$73,067,751
Grants made (2024)
5
Average grant
$14,613,550
Median grant
$9,735,000
Total assets
$1,011,593,188
Primary geography
Rhode Island (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.0B

+7.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$73.1M

+1.9% YoY

Grant Count

5

+25.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14.6M

-18.5% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ahimsa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Ahimsa Foundation gives

  • In 2024 it paid out 501% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

AtlantaNiwotWarwickJenkintownLancasterPort Wentworth

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20M$40M$60M$80M0 grants2020 0 grants2021 4 grants2022 4 grants2023 5 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $42.8M (2022) to $73.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $73.1M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program: $45.7MVanguard Charitable EndowmentProgram$45.7MKaruna Foundation: $12.5MKaruna Foundation$12.5MNational Philanthropic Trust: $9.7MNational Philanthropic Trust$9.7MCharityvest Inc: $5.1MCharityvest Inc$5.1MGo Dharmic Inc: $137Go Dharmic Inc$137

The largest 2024 recipient was Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program ($45.7M). Together the top 5 received $73.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

13 grants across all recorded years

1<$50K$50–100K$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M2$1–5M9$5M+

The most common grant size was $5M or more: 9 grants of 13 (69%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Warwick, RIAdvocate for the wellbeing of all animals$45,710,000
Karuna Foundation Niwot, COAdvocate for the wellbeing of all animals$12,530,000
National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PAAdvocate for the wellbeing of all animals$9,735,000
Charityvest Inc Atlanta, GAAdvocate for the wellbeing of all animals$5,092,614
Go Dharmic Inc Port Wentworth, GAAdvocate for the wellbeing of all animals$137

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200M$400M$600M$800M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,011,593,188$938,177,008$962,293,194
Revenue$160,180,393$55,079,974$581,102,746
Expenses$79,991,246$80,570,806$50,069,582
Qualifying Distributions$194,121,931$170,003,180$110,185,826
Net Investment Income$154,018,254$45,378,856$573,864,496
Distributable Amount$38,731,611$43,595,042$32,988,323

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Ahimsa Foundation is led by Shaleen Shah, President on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Shaleen Shah

    President

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $277K (2024)

  • Jay Karandikar

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $155K (2024)

  • Satish Karandikar

    Secretary

    Sectretary → Secretary, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $800K (2024)

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Shilpi Shah (2020–2021) — Secretary

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Satish Karandikar — Secretary: $800KSatish KarandikarSecretary$800KShaleen Shah — President: $277KShaleen ShahPresident$277KJay Karandikar — Treasurer: $155KJay KarandikarTreasurer$155K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $800K, to Satish Karandikar (Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Ahimsa Foundation

How much does Ahimsa Foundation give each year?

Ahimsa Foundation gave $73.1M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $71.7M across 4 grants.

What is Ahimsa Foundation's typical grant size?

Ahimsa Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,735,000, and its average grant was $14,613,550, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Ahimsa Foundation give grants?

Ahimsa Foundation gives mostly in Rhode Island: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (17%) and Pennsylvania (13%).

Does Ahimsa Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Ahimsa Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Advocate for the wellbeing of all animals" (5 grants).

Who are Ahimsa Foundation's largest grantees?

Ahimsa Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program ($45,710,000), Karuna Foundation ($12,530,000) and National Philanthropic Trust ($9,735,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Ahimsa Foundation?

Ahimsa Foundation reported $1.0B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $194.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Ahimsa Foundation?

Ahimsa Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Niwot, CO. It holds $1.0B in total assets as of 2024.

What is Ahimsa Foundation's EIN?

Ahimsa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2700743. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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

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