Samarth Foundation

## Approach Strategy

Samarth Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation (NTEE code T22) based in Los Altos Hills, California, managed under the care of Vivek Paul. With approximately $1.9 million in total assets, it operates as a relatively small family foundation focused on charitable giving.

Key considerations for applicants: - This is a private non-operating foundation, meaning it primarily makes grants rather than running its own programs directly. - The foundation's website (samarthfoundation.org) is currently inaccessible to public browsing, which suggests it may operate on an invitation-only or network-referral basis. - Given its size and structure, the foundation likely funds a limited number of grants per year, making personal connections and alignment with the founder's interests critical.

Recommended approach: Research the foundation's past 990-PF filings to identify specific grantees and giving patterns. Outreach through professional networks connected to Vivek Paul or the Silicon Valley philanthropic community may be more effective than cold applications.

## Funding Patterns

Based on IRS filing data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer:

Key observations: - The foundation has been spending more than it receives in revenue, gradually drawing down assets (from $2.17M to $2.02M over two years). - Annual expenses of approximately $180,000-$200,000 suggest total grantmaking in the range of $100,000-$150,000 per year after administrative costs. - Revenue has declined from $156K to $87K over two years, primarily from investment income (dividends of ~$83K). - The foundation received only $2,275 in contributions in the most recent filing year, confirming it is primarily self-funded from its endowment.

Grant size estimate: Based on total expenses and typical private foundation payout rates, individual grants likely range from $5,000 to $50,000.

## Peer Comparison

Samarth Foundation sits in the small-to-mid-tier of private grantmaking foundations in the San Francisco Bay Area:

Asset class: With ~$1.9M in assets, it is smaller than most well-known Bay Area foundations but comparable to many family foundations in the Los Altos Hills/Palo Alto area.

Peer foundations in similar asset range ($1M-$5M, Bay Area, T22 NTEE): - Many Silicon Valley technology executives maintain similar-sized family foundations for charitable giving - Foundations in this range typically have 1-2 decision makers and no dedicated program staff - Grantmaking tends to be highly personal and relationship-driven

Distinguishing characteristics: - The name "Samarth" (meaning "capable" or "empowered" in Sanskrit/Hindi) suggests possible connections to South Asian community causes or education - The foundation's location in Los Altos Hills places it in one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in Silicon Valley - The declining asset trajectory suggests the foundation may be in a spend-down phase or simply distributing more than its investment returns

## Recent Activity

Most recent filing (Tax Period: December 2024): - Total revenue: $86,852 (down from $141,375 the prior year) - Total functional expenses: $183,885 - Ending assets: $2,023,735 - The foundation continues to operate and file, indicating it remains active

Trends: - The foundation has been consistently active over multiple filing years - Expenses have remained relatively stable at $180K-$200K annually - The most recent data was updated in the IRS master file as of March 2026, confirming ongoing operations - No significant structural changes are apparent from the filing data

Website status: The foundation's website (samarthfoundation.org) is currently inaccessible — it runs a JavaScript application that blocks non-browser access. This may indicate a redesign is underway or that the foundation prefers to operate without a public web presence.

## Application Tips

Important caveats: Samarth Foundation's website is currently inaccessible, and no public application process could be identified. The following tips are based on analysis of the foundation's structure and common practices for foundations of this type.

1. Research 990-PF grant lists: The single most valuable step is to review the foundation's 990-PF filings (available via ProPublica or GuideStar) to see which organizations have received grants. This reveals the foundation's actual funding priorities.

2. Leverage professional networks: As a small family foundation associated with Vivek Paul in Los Altos Hills, personal introductions through Silicon Valley professional or philanthropic networks are likely the most effective path to funding.

3. Align with possible focus areas: The foundation name "Samarth" suggests potential interest in empowerment, education, or South Asian community causes. Tailor your proposal to demonstrate alignment with these possible themes.

4. Keep proposals concise: Small family foundations without dedicated staff prefer brief, clear proposals (2-3 pages maximum) that quickly convey impact potential.

5. Be realistic about grant size: With total annual grantmaking likely in the $100K-$150K range, individual grants are probably modest ($5K-$50K). Budget your request accordingly.

6. Check back on the website: The foundation does maintain samarthfoundation.org — it may become accessible again or provide application instructions in the future.