The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to higher-education institutions and regionally rooted nonprofits in Central California, while also supporting humanitarian relief and sustainable agriculture causes. Their funding is characterized by multi-year or repeat commitments to university foundations and substantial one-off gifts to health and international relief organizations, indicating a mix of local civic investment and global humanitarian interest.
Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation combines large university gifts with mission-based support for homelessness, spirituality, nutrition, environment, and emergency response. The clearest signal in the recent record is its sustained academic support in California’s Central Valley: Fresno State Foundation received $529,000 in 2025 after $500,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024, and California State University Bakersfield Foundation received $400,000 in 2025. That pattern sits alongside broad-cause grantmaking that reaches health, relief, and organic agriculture work. The foundation also gave $400,000 to Friends of Mercy Foundation in Bakersfield for facilities, equipment, technology, new programs, services, health education, and community outreach, showing a willingness to back institutional capacity as well as direct services. Beyond local civic investment, the grant record includes support for humanitarian and faith-linked organizations, such as UNICEF, International Rescue Committee, and groups connected to meditation and Gandhian fellowship programs. The overall picture is of a regional funder with concentrated California giving and a mix of multi-year institutional commitments and one-time operating or project grants.
Education is one of the foundation’s most visible areas of support. It gave $529,000 to Fresno State Foundation for academic support and $400,000 to California State University Bakersfield Foundation for the same purpose, while also making $200,000 to Csub Foundation for academic support. Health and community services are another thread: Friends of Mercy Foundation received $400,000 for facilities, equipment, technology, new programs, services, health education, and community outreach. The foundation also supports humanitarian aid, including $225,000 to U S Fund for UNICEF to provide children with supplies and assistance and $200,000 to International Rescue Committee to ensure civilians receive emergency aid. In environment and agriculture, it funded Rodale Institute California Organic Center and gave $50,000 to Soil Health Institute to address the needs of farmers, ranchers, conservationists, policymakers, and society by enriching soil and enhancing life.
Typical grants cluster around mid-sized awards, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $12,738, and a p75 of $50,000. The distribution is skewed upward by occasional six-figure institutional and program gifts, including multiple $500,000-plus university grants. The record shows repeat support to the same recipients across years, especially Fresno State Foundation, Friends of Mercy Foundation, Rodale Institute California Organic Center, and Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it also funds individuals through scholarships. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including general grants and collaboration grants, while fellowships and scholarships are more structured and not open to unsolicited applications.
$1.9M
$41M
$1.9M
$3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$50K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of beneficiaries with several repeat grants to public university foundations; occasional large gifts to national/international relief and regional sustainability initiatives.
Notable grantees: Fresno State Foundation, California State University Bakersfield Foundation, Friends of Mercy Foundation, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, International Rescue Committee
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in California, which accounts for 67% of recipient-state grants and is the top state by grant count. Bakersfield and Fresno appear repeatedly, including Fresno State Foundation in Fresno and multiple Bakersfield recipients such as California State University Bakersfield Foundation, Friends of Mercy Foundation, Open Door Network, Catholic Charities, and Bakersfield Homeless Center. Outside California, the recent record includes grantees in Iowa, North Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
The foundation’s grantmaking centers on homelessness, education, environment, nutrition, and spirituality. Recent grants also show support for academic institutions, health and community services, humanitarian aid, and organic agriculture.
Yes for some programs. General grants and collaboration grants accept unsolicited requests, while scholarships and fellowships do not.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $12,738 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger institutional grants above $400,000.
California is the top state by grant count, with 67% of grants going to recipients in the state. Bakersfield and Fresno show up frequently in the recent grants list.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals through scholarships, and its active programs describe direct scholarship awards to promising students from challenging backgrounds.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRESNO STATE FOUNDATION | FRESNO, CA | $529,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| FRIENDS OF MERCY FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FOR NEW FACILITIES, STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, NEW PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| SHANTIKUNJ OF NORTH AMERICA CENTER | MIDPINES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO OFFER SOCIO-SPIRITUAL TRAINING TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR HOLISTIC WELL-BEING AND COMPREHENSIVE PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT TO FOSTER IN THEM A SCIENTIFICALLY GROUNDED UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY OF SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION ALONG WITH A POWERFUL DRIVE TO USE THEIR VIRTUES FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE SOCIETY. |
| HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SECURE PEACE, AFFLUENCE AND INVINCIBILITY FOR LIFE EVERYWHERE ON EARTH BY PROVIDING PREPETUAL SUPPORT FOR LARGE GROUPS PRACTICING TRANSENDENTAL MEDITATION. |
| RODALE INSTITUTE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC CENTER | CAMARILLO, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| FOREST HISTORY SOCIETY | DURHAM, NC | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPEN DOOR NETWORK | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $40,358 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KARUNA FOUNDATION | NIWOT, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MINDFUL LIFE PROJECT | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTINE MCBRIDE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $19,422 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| RAAM RAJ FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO DEVELOP LIFE ON THE INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, NATIONAL AND WORK LEVEL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CREATING WORK PEACE. |
| GLOBAL CAPITAL OF WORLD PEACE INC | ROMNEY, WV | $10,000 | 2025 | AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON PROMOTING WORLD PEACE BY SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDITATION CENTERS. |
| GRIMM FAMILY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT |
| BAKERSFIELD HOMELESS CENTER | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $4,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR THE HOMELESS |
| BOOSTER CLUB | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| GARDEN PATHWAYS | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | TO SAVE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS FROM KERN COUNTY SHELTERS WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING EUTHANIZED DUE TO OVERCROWDED FACILITIES |
| GHANDIAN SOCIETY INC | ISELIN, NJ | $500 | 2025 | TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF NON-VIOLENCE AND ERADICATE DISCRIMINATION. |
| ST CHAVARA CATHOLIC MISSION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $100 | 2025 | TO FOSTERING SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CULTURAL UNITY, AND FAITH FORMATION WITHIN THE MALAYALI COMMUNITY FROM SOUTHERN INDIA. |
| FRESNO STATE FOUNDATION | FRESNO, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| CSUB FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| NIPUN MEHTA | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| OPEN DOOR NETWORK | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RODALE INSTITUTE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC CENTER | CAMARILLO, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $70,000 | 2024 | TO SECURE PEACE, AFFLUENCE AND INVINCIBILITY FOR LIFE EVERYWHERE ON EARTH BY PROVIDING PREPETUAL SUPPORT FOR LARGE GROUPS PRACTICING TRANSENDENTAL MEDITATION. |
| SOIL HEALTH INSTITUTE | MORRISVILLE, NC | $50,000 | 2024 | TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, CONSERVATIONISTS, POLICYMAKERS, AND SOCIERTY BY ENRICHING SOIL, ENCHANCING LIFE. |
| JOSHUA'S HOUSE | SACRAMENTO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTINE MCBRIDE | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $30,682 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| AUDREY A LIN | BERKELEY, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| MIT RSO GIFT RECEIPTS | FAIRFIELD, IA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAHARISHI PURUSHA PROGRAM - REIMBURSEMENT TO PARTICIPANTS | ROMNEY, WV | $15,450 | 2024 | TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE MOST RAPID PACE OF EVOLUTION POSSIBLE |
| GLOBAL CAPITAL OF WORLD PEACE INC | ROMNEY, WV | $10,001 | 2024 | AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON PROMOTING WORLD PEACE BY SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDITATION CENTERS. |
| MINDFUL LIFE PROJECT | RICHMOND, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| ECKHART TOLLE FOUNDATION | LAFAYETTE, CO | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT. |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,492 | 2024 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| BAKERSFIELD HOMELESS CENTER | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $7,237 | 2024 | MEALS FOR THE HOMELESS |
| JANET RODRIGUEZ | SAN DIEGO, CA | $6,382 | 2024 | EDUCATION GRANT RECIPIENT |
| RAAM RAJ FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $5,536 | 2024 | TO DEVELOP LIFE ON THE INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, NATIONAL AND WORK LEVEL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CREATING WORK PEACE. |
| CRISIS IN SYRIA RESCUE ORG | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | A GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN AID, RELIEF, AND DEVELOPMENT NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION. |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS THE LOW INCOME, POOR, AND HOMELESS OF KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. |
| CHINMAYA MISSION | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $1,250 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE TO INDIVIDUALS FROM ANY BACKGROUND, THE WISDOM OF VENDANTA AND THE PRACTICAL MEANS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HAPPINESS, ENABLING THEM TO BECOME POSITIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY |
| MAHARISHI PURUSHA PROGRAM | ROMNEY, WV | $1,000 | 2024 | TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE MOST RAPID PACE OF EVOLUTION POSSIBLE |
| NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND | BAKERSFIELD, CA | $500 | 2024 | TO SAVE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS FROM KERN COUNTY SHELTERS WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING EUTHANIZED DUE TO OVERCROWDED FACILITIES |
| FRESNO STATE FOUNDATION | FRESNO, CA | $500,000 | 2023 | ACADEMIC SUPPORT. |
| U S FUND FOR UNICEF | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $225,000 | 2023 | PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH SUPPLIES AND ASSISTANCE. |
FRESNO STATE FOUNDATION
$529,000ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
FRIENDS OF MERCY FOUNDATION
$400,000TO PROVIDE FOR NEW FACILITIES, STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY, NEW PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
SHANTIKUNJ OF NORTH AMERICA CENTER
$100,000THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO OFFER SOCIO-SPIRITUAL TRAINING TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR HOLISTIC WELL-BEING AND COMPREHENSIVE PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT TO FOSTER IN THEM A SCIENTIFICALLY GROUNDED UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY OF SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION ALONG WITH A POWERFUL DRIVE TO USE THEIR VIRTUES FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE SOCIETY.
HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION
$100,000TO SECURE PEACE, AFFLUENCE AND INVINCIBILITY FOR LIFE EVERYWHERE ON EARTH BY PROVIDING PREPETUAL SUPPORT FOR LARGE GROUPS PRACTICING TRANSENDENTAL MEDITATION.
RODALE INSTITUTE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC CENTER
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
FOREST HISTORY SOCIETY
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTINE MCBRIDE
$19,422GENERAL SUPPORT.
TO DEVELOP LIFE ON THE INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, NATIONAL AND WORK LEVEL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CREATING WORK PEACE.
GLOBAL CAPITAL OF WORLD PEACE INC
$10,000AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON PROMOTING WORLD PEACE BY SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDITATION CENTERS.
GRIMM FAMILY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000ACADEMIC SUPPORT
BAKERSFIELD HOMELESS CENTER
$4,000MEALS FOR THE HOMELESS
BOOSTER CLUB
$3,000ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
GARDEN PATHWAYS
$2,500ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND
$1,500TO SAVE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS FROM KERN COUNTY SHELTERS WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING EUTHANIZED DUE TO OVERCROWDED FACILITIES
GHANDIAN SOCIETY INC
$500TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF NON-VIOLENCE AND ERADICATE DISCRIMINATION.
ST CHAVARA CATHOLIC MISSION
$100TO FOSTERING SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CULTURAL UNITY, AND FAITH FORMATION WITHIN THE MALAYALI COMMUNITY FROM SOUTHERN INDIA.
NIPUN MEHTA
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
RODALE INSTITUTE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC CENTER
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
TO SECURE PEACE, AFFLUENCE AND INVINCIBILITY FOR LIFE EVERYWHERE ON EARTH BY PROVIDING PREPETUAL SUPPORT FOR LARGE GROUPS PRACTICING TRANSENDENTAL MEDITATION.
TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF FARMERS, RANCHERS, CONSERVATIONISTS, POLICYMAKERS, AND SOCIERTY BY ENRICHING SOIL, ENCHANCING LIFE.
JOSHUA'S HOUSE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTINE MCBRIDE
$30,682GENERAL SUPPORT.
AUDREY A LIN
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
MIT RSO GIFT RECEIPTS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE MOST RAPID PACE OF EVOLUTION POSSIBLE
GLOBAL CAPITAL OF WORLD PEACE INC
$10,001AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON PROMOTING WORLD PEACE BY SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF RESIDENTIAL MEDITATION CENTERS.
ECKHART TOLLE FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT.
JANET RODRIGUEZ
$6,382EDUCATION GRANT RECIPIENT
TO DEVELOP LIFE ON THE INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, NATIONAL AND WORK LEVEL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CREATING WORK PEACE.
CRISIS IN SYRIA RESCUE ORG
$5,000A GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN AID, RELIEF, AND DEVELOPMENT NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
$2,500ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS THE LOW INCOME, POOR, AND HOMELESS OF KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
CHINMAYA MISSION
$1,250TO PROVIDE TO INDIVIDUALS FROM ANY BACKGROUND, THE WISDOM OF VENDANTA AND THE PRACTICAL MEANS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND HAPPINESS, ENABLING THEM TO BECOME POSITIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY
TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE MOST RAPID PACE OF EVOLUTION POSSIBLE
NO PAWS LEFT BEHIND
$500TO SAVE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS FROM KERN COUNTY SHELTERS WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING EUTHANIZED DUE TO OVERCROWDED FACILITIES
FRESNO STATE FOUNDATION
$500,000ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
U S FUND FOR UNICEF
$225,000PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH SUPPLIES AND ASSISTANCE.