Jiv Daya Foundation

The Jiv Daya Foundation, founded in 2002 by Dr. Vinay Jain and his wife Kanika in Dallas, Texas, operates a dual-geography grantmaking strategy focused on healthcare in India and educational technology in underserved Dallas public schools. The name "Jiv Daya" reflects a philosophy of compassion for all living beings. The foundation's approach is partner-driven: rather than accepting open applications, it identifies and collaborates with ground-level implementing institutions to ensure work is comprehensive, impactful, and sustainable. In India, the foundation runs seven distinct healthcare initiatives spanning maternal health, eye health, amputee assistance, tuberculosis alleviation, pediatric oncology, palliative care, and rheumatology, each delivered through specialized partner organizations. Domestically, the STEP program places technology resources in low-resource Dallas ISD schools to expand educational access. The foundation also operates rural development programs including pre-school nutrition and education, food support (RAHAT), and mobility aids for persons with disabilities. This multi-program, multi-geography model is distinctive for a family foundation of its size, reflecting the Jain family's personal connections to both India and the Dallas community.

Jiv Daya Foundation holds $96.7 million in assets and distributed $4.33 million in grants in 2024. Grant sizes vary enormously, from as little as $26 to $3.57 million, reflecting the foundation's mix of small direct-service grants and large institutional partnerships. The number of grants has fluctuated significantly: 86 in 2019, 155 in 2021, and a spike to 1,073 in 2022, suggesting either a change in how grants are counted or a major expansion in small-grant activity (possibly related to COVID response or RAHAT food support). At a 4.5% effective payout rate ($4.33M on $96.7M), the foundation is close to the IRS 5% minimum distribution requirement. Geographic distribution of funding spans India (healthcare programs), Dallas/Texas (education and local giving), California, Ohio, and the United Kingdom. The foundation supports both Indian ground-level institutions (Pallium India, CanKids, Mamta HIMC, Niramaya) and major U.S. institutions (UT Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor University School of Nursing, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital). Program expenses totaled $3.66 million, indicating that most of the foundation's budget flows directly to charitable activities. Leadership includes directors Nikhil Jain, Trishla Jain, and Treasurer Greg Fisher.

Jiv Daya Foundation occupies a distinctive niche among Indian-American family foundations. While larger organizations like the American India Foundation and Azim Premji Foundation operate at much greater scale, Jiv Daya differentiates through its highly focused healthcare specializations (particularly oncology, palliative care, and tropical disease) and its parallel domestic education program. The combination of India-focused healthcare and Dallas-focused education in a single foundation is unusual. Compared to BAPS Charities, which operates at similar asset levels but with broader programming, Jiv Daya maintains deeper specialization in medical interventions.

Jiv Daya Foundation continued its dual-geography grantmaking through 2024, distributing $4.33 million in grants. The foundation maintains active programs across seven healthcare areas in India, including its India Rheumatology Initiative which addresses a growing disease burden. Partner organizations including Pallium India (palliative care), CanKids India (pediatric oncology), and Mamta HIMC (maternal health) continue to implement on-the-ground healthcare programs. In Dallas, the STEP education program continues to place technology resources in low-resource Dallas ISD schools. The foundation expanded its partner network to include major U.S. medical institutions: UT Southwestern Medical Center and Baylor University School of Nursing receive grants for medical training and research relevant to the foundation's health focus areas. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is also a grant recipient, connecting to the pediatric oncology focus. The foundation maintains its operational presence in Plano, Texas (2700 W Plano Parkway) with a staff led by directors Nikhil Jain and Trishla Jain (Dr. Vinay Jain's children) and Treasurer Greg Fisher, suggesting a generational transition in foundation leadership. The foundation is active on Facebook and reachable at team@jivdayafound.org.

Jiv Daya Foundation operates primarily through pre-selected partner relationships rather than open applications, which makes traditional grant-seeking approaches less effective. Here are strategies for organizations seeking support: (1) The foundation partners with ground-level institutions — demonstrate strong on-the-ground presence in either India (healthcare) or Dallas, Texas (education). (2) Healthcare organizations in India working in pediatric oncology, palliative care, maternal health, eye health, tuberculosis, rheumatology, or amputee assistance are most aligned. (3) Education organizations in Dallas working to expand technology access in under-resourced schools, particularly Dallas ISD, align with the STEP program. (4) The foundation has a grant application available for education programs through jivdayafound.org — this may be the most accessible pathway for new applicants. (5) Build relationships with existing Jiv Daya partners (Pallium India, CanKids, etc.) as the foundation values its implementing partner network. (6) U.S. medical institutions doing research or training relevant to the foundation's health focus areas have received grants (UT Southwestern, Baylor Nursing, St. Jude). (7) Contact the foundation at team@jivdayafound.org or 214-593-0511. (8) Rural development organizations in India providing nutrition, food support, or disability assistance may align with the RAHAT and mobility aid programs.