Tijori Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Tijori Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation incorporated in Delaware in 2015, with a distinctive dual focus: large-scale international development programming in the Philippines and domestic charitable giving through donor-advised fund intermediaries. With $39.1 million in assets and $6.4 million in 2024 distributions, it operates as a lean, invitation-only foundation with just three directors dedicating 1-3 hours per week each.

The foundation's international strategy is channeled almost exclusively through CARE International, one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations. This "single-partner deep engagement" model allows the Tijori Foundation to leverage CARE's extensive field infrastructure in the Philippines — including relationships with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units — without maintaining its own overseas operations. The partnership focuses on economically marginalized communities, particularly women and youth in agricultural and fishing-dependent areas of Batangas and Rizal provinces.

Domestically, the foundation routes significant funding through Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program, both donor-advised fund sponsors. This approach provides tax efficiency and administrative simplicity while supporting a range of U.S.-based causes including youth development, children's health research, and community services.

The name "Tijori" is derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for "vault" or "safe," consistent with the foundation's tagline "Securing Families" — reflecting a philosophy of building economic security and resilience for vulnerable populations.

## Funding Patterns

The Tijori Foundation has grown rapidly since its 2015 incorporation, with a particularly significant influx in 2020 when it received $33.4 million in contributions.

2024 Financial Overview: - Total Assets: $39.1 million (up from initial years) - Total Revenue: $12.8 million (76.9% from contributions, 12.9% from asset sales, 10.1% from dividends) - Total Distributions: $6.4 million - Charitable Efficiency: 97.1% of expenses go to charitable purposes - Officer Compensation: Just $15,000 total ($7,500 each for two of three directors)

Grant Distribution Pattern (2024): - Grant Range: $20,000 to $2,000,000 - Median Grant: $150,000 - Number of Recipients: ~17 awards

Major Recipients: - Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund: $6+ million (multiple grants) - Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program: $6+ million (multiple grants) - CARE International: $3.5+ million (five project-specific grants)

Named CARE Projects Funded: 1. EMPOWER the Youth — youth employment and entrepreneurship training in Batangas province (600 beneficiaries) 2. HERS (Households Economic Resilience Strengthening) for Women and Youth — livelihood interventions in Antipolo City and Baras, Rizal province 3. Climate adaptation for fishing and farming communities 4. Mental health initiatives 5. Emergency humanitarian response

Domestic Smaller Grants: $20,000-$40,000 range to youth development, children's health research, and community services organizations across multiple U.S. states.

## Peer Comparison

The Tijori Foundation occupies a unique niche as a mid-sized private foundation with deep Philippines-focused programming. Below is a comparison with peer foundations in international development and youth empowerment:

Key Differentiators: The Tijori Foundation stands apart from most Philippines-focused international development foundations in several ways: (1) it channels all international work through a single major partner (CARE) rather than operating its own field programs; (2) it maintains an exceptionally lean overhead structure with just three part-time directors; (3) its dual domestic/international model through DAF intermediaries is unusual among foundations of this size; and (4) its focus on economic resilience specifically targeting 4Ps program families shows alignment with Philippine government social protection priorities.

## Recent Activity

EMPOWER the Youth Project (Batangas Province): The foundation's flagship initiative through CARE Philippines supports 600 young people in four municipalities of Batangas province — Agoncillo, Alitagtag, San Nicolas, and Sta. Teresita. These are communities where families depend on agriculture and fishing, industries severely impacted by natural disasters including the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption. The project provides training in sustainable agricultural practices and alternative income generation, targeting youth from households enrolled in the DSWD 4Ps conditional cash transfer program.

HERS for Women and Youth Project (Rizal Province): In partnership with CARE and DSWD, the foundation supports the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening project in Antipolo City and Baras, Rizal. This initiative aims to help 4Ps families graduate from "Struggling Level" (Level 2) to "Self-Sufficiency" status (Level 3) on the Social Welfare Development Indicator. CARE delivers market-based livelihood interventions creating sustainable income opportunities.

Financial Growth Trajectory: The foundation's assets grew from near zero at its 2015 founding to $39.1 million by 2024, with a major $33.4 million contribution received in 2020 establishing it as a significant philanthropic vehicle. The 2024 revenue of $12.8 million (including $9.8 million in new contributions) suggests the foundation continues to receive substantial ongoing support from its donor(s), positioning it for expanded grantmaking.

Operational Efficiency: With total officer compensation of just $15,000 and 97.1% charitable efficiency, the foundation exemplifies the lean family foundation model. Tiberio Schwartz (President/Treasurer) takes no compensation, while Mary Rose Candol (VP) and Eliyahu Schulman (Secretary) each receive $7,500 for 2-3 hours per week.

## Application Tips

Critical Note: The Tijori Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

For Organizations Seeking to Become Preselected Partners:

1. Work through CARE International. The foundation's primary international grantmaking channel is CARE. Organizations working in the Philippines — particularly in youth employment, women's economic empowerment, climate adaptation, or emergency response in Batangas or Rizal provinces — may benefit from partnering with or being referred by CARE Philippines rather than approaching the foundation directly.

2. Align with Philippine government social protection programs. The foundation's projects specifically target families in the DSWD 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) conditional cash transfer system. Organizations working with 4Ps beneficiaries on economic graduation pathways are closest to the foundation's core mission.

3. Demonstrate measurable economic outcomes. Both the EMPOWER and HERS projects focus on concrete economic metrics — livelihood development, income generation, graduation between Social Welfare Development Indicator levels. The foundation values quantifiable impact over awareness-raising or capacity-building alone.

4. Domestic organizations: The foundation also makes smaller domestic grants ($20,000-$40,000) to youth development, children's health research, and community services organizations. These appear to be routed through Fidelity Charitable and Vanguard Charitable donor-advised funds, suggesting they may be directed by the donor(s) personally rather than through a formal program.

5. No website or public contact information is available for grant inquiries. The foundation's website (tijori.org, branded as "Tijori.ai") contains minimal information and no application portal. The foundation is registered at a Wilmington, DE address (typical for Delaware-incorporated entities) with no published phone number or grant-specific email.

6. Monitor 990-PF filings. Since the foundation does not publicize its giving, reviewing annual IRS Form 990-PF filings on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer is the best way to track which organizations receive funding and identify potential alignment.