The Rona and Jeffrey Abramson Foundation concentrates almost all of its giving on organizations tied to the Maharishi/Transcendental Meditation movement, providing very large, unrestricted grants to support institutional operations. Its funding is narrowly focused—primarily backing Maharishi International University and a related spiritual foundation—indicating a donor commitment to alternative/meditation-based higher education and movement infrastructure rather than broad public charity portfolios.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, very large grants (two grantees, four grants), repeat funding to the same organizations and primarily unrestricted support rather than many small or diversified grants.
The Rona and Jeffrey Abramson Foundation’s giving is defined by a very large unrestricted grant to Maharishi International University, which received $2,240,151 in 2024 and $889,340 in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that supports institutional operations rather than project-specific work. The same approach appears across its recent grants, where the foundation repeatedly backs organizations connected to the Maharishi/Transcendental Meditation movement and related institutions. The foundation also made seven-figure support available to Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, with $677,128 in 2025 and $502,085 in 2024, again using unrestricted funds. Beyond those movement-linked recipients, its grant list includes organizations such as the David Lynch Foundation, Maharishi Foundation International, and the Maharishi Purusha Program, showing a consistent emphasis on organizations tied to a spiritual and educational ecosystem. The overall profile is narrow and institution-centered, with flexible grants used to sustain operating budgets across a small set of recurring grantees.
A central theme in the foundation’s grantmaking is Maharishi-style higher education. Maharishi International University received the largest grant in the recent list, and the foundation also supported the Africa College Fund with $262,500 in 2025 and Maharishi Foundation International with $67,500 in 2025. Those awards suggest a continuing focus on educational institutions within the same movement. Another major area is movement infrastructure and affiliated foundations. The Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation received $677,128 in 2025, while the Raam Raj Foundation received $30,000 in 2025. The foundation also backed the Mganl Mother Divine Program with $98,162 in 2025, indicating support for residential or institutional components of that network. Outside the core movement, the grant list includes organizations such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Natural Resource Defense Council, both funded with unrestricted support.
Typical grant size is modest relative to the largest awards: p25 is $2,688, median is $7,917, and p75 is $25,000. The recent list also shows a small number of very large operating grants, which pulls the average upward. Grants are unrestricted and appear to function as flexible institutional support. The pattern is recurring rather than one-time: several recipients appear in consecutive years, including Maharishi International University, Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, David Lynch Foundation, Natural Resource Defense Council, Friends of Cancer Research, Girl Scouts Council of the Nation's Capital, and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. The foundation is a private family foundation, and its 990s show no grants to individuals and no program-related investments.
$2.8M
$43.6M
$2.7M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in DC.
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.
Notable grantees: Maharishi International University, Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Other Maharishi/Transcendental Meditation–affiliated institutions
The foundation gives across the United States, and 14% of its grants go to recipients in Maryland. Fairfield, Iowa appears repeatedly as a recipient city, including Maharishi International University, Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Africa College Fund, and Maharishi Foundation International. Washington, DC is another frequent destination, with grants to Mganl Mother Divine Program, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Natural Resource Defense Council, Friends of Cancer Research, and Girl Scouts Council of the Nation's Capital. Other recipient locations include Romney, WV; New York, NY; and Chicago, IL.
Its recent grants are concentrated in organizations tied to the Maharishi/Transcendental Meditation movement, especially Maharishi International University, Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Maharishi Foundation International, the Maharishi Purusha Program, and related entities. The list also includes a smaller set of outside organizations that receive unrestricted support.
Yes. Every grant in the recent list is marked unrestricted, including large awards to Maharishi International University and Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, as well as support for a range of other recipients.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Maharishi International University, Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, David Lynch Foundation, Natural Resource Defense Council, Friends of Cancer Research, Girl Scouts Council of the Nation's Capital, and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $2,688, median $7,917, and p75 $25,000. That sits alongside a few very large unrestricted grants, including a $2,240,151 award in 2024 and an $889,340 award in 2025.
By recipient location, Washington, DC and Fairfield, Iowa appear often in the recent list, and 14% of grants go to recipients in Maryland. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 114 grants to U.S. organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $889,340 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $677,128 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| AFRICA COLLEGE FUND | FAIRFIELD, IA | $262,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $122,525 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| MGANL MOTHER DIVINE PROGRAM | WASHINGTON, DC | $98,162 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| MAHARISHI PURUSHA PROGRAM | ROMNEY, WV | $71,080 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| MAHARISHI FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL | MAHARISHI VEDIC CITY, IA | $67,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $66,666 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| NATURAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | NORTH BETHESDA, MD | $33,333 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| THE GREATER WASHINGTON JEWISH COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE | ROCKVILLE, MD | $33,333 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| RAAM RAJ FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF CANCER RESEARCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| SYLVIA EARLE ALLIANCE | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| GIRL SCOUTS COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION | PALMETTO BAY, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| MAHARISHI SCHOOL | FAIRFIELD, IA | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ONE EARTH PHILANTHROPY | CULVER CITY, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE | BOULDER, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| FOREST TRENDS ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| DAUGHTERS FOR EARTH | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| HEIFETZ INTERNATIONAL MUSIC INSTITUTE | STAUNTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON D C | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ANTIDEFAMATION LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL | ARLINGTON, VA | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON PARAGON | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| SAVE A CHILD'S HEART FOUNDATION | POTOMAC, MD | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| RAINFOREST TRUST | WARRENTON, VA | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| WATERISLIFE GLOBAL INC | BROKEN ARROW, OK | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| SALZBURG FESTIVAL SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| HEIFER INTERNATIONAL | LITTLER ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| RACHEL'S NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $3,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| HELP ME SEE | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | MCLEAN, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| ACLU FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| FEED THE CHILDREN | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| INNOVATION AFRICA | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
| A MUSICAL HEART | TAKOMA PARK, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$122,525UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
MGANL MOTHER DIVINE PROGRAM
$98,162UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
NATURAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL
$35,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
FRIENDS OF CANCER RESEARCH
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE
$15,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
DAUGHTERS FOR EARTH
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
HEIFETZ INTERNATIONAL MUSIC INSTITUTE
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
ANTIDEFAMATION LEAGUE
$7,500UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
NATIONAL AUDUBON PARAGON
$7,500UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
WATERISLIFE GLOBAL INC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
SALZBURG FESTIVAL SOCIETY INC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
$5,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
$3,500UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
HELP ME SEE
$3,500UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
ACLU FOUNDATION
$2,750UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
A MUSICAL HEART
$2,500UNRESTRICTED FUNDS