The Luis von Ahn Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on international development and conservation in Guatemala, providing substantial general operating support to a small number of missions-driven NGOs. Giving is heavily weighted toward repeated, large grants to a few organizations working on environmental protection and women’s empowerment in Guatemala, with a smaller grant to a U.S.-based international philanthropy partner. The foundation favors flexible funding (general operating) over project-specific grants, indicating trust in grantee leadership and long-term capacity building.
The Luis Von Ahn Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated general operating support to Defensores De La Naturaleza, including a $478,000 grant in 2025 after prior awards of $385,000 in 2024 and $350,000 in 2023. That pattern signals a funder that backs a small set of organizations over multiple years, rather than spreading support broadly across many short-term projects. Its largest recent grants also show a strong emphasis on Guatemalan civil society, with support for women’s empowerment, education, climate work, and human rights-related initiatives. The foundation’s portfolio includes large grants to Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc, Antigua International Education Foundation Inc, and Instituto Privado De Investigacion Sobre El Cambio Climatico, each receiving repeated support. Several of these awards are unrestricted or general operating funds, which suggests a preference for flexible capital that organizations can use across core needs. Alongside Guatemalan grantees, the foundation also gives to U.S.-based intermediaries and partner organizations that work on Guatemala-related issues, including Seattle International Foundation and The Fund for Human Global Rights. The mix of direct support and intermediary grantmaking points to a Guatemala-centered strategy with international connective tissue.
Nature conservation is one of the clearest threads in the Luis Von Ahn Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $240,000 in 2025 and $220,000 in 2024 to Instituto Privado De Investigacion Sobre El Cambio Climatico in Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, both as general operating funds, and previously awarded $200,000 in 2023 to the same organization under a closely related name variant. Education is another recurring area. Antigua International Education Foundation Inc received $250,000 in 2025, $220,000 in 2024, and $200,000 in 2023, all as general operating funds. The foundation also supported Limitless Horizons Ixil Inc with $125,000 in 2025 and $110,000 in 2024. Women’s equality and community leadership appear in multiple grants. Women’s Justice Initiative Inc received $125,000 in 2025 and $110,000 in 2024, while Maia received $180,000 in 2025 and $165,000 in 2024. These awards fit a pattern of sustained support for organizations working with women and girls in Guatemala.
$4.2M
$8.3M
$4.5M
$5.5M
Most grants fall between $50K and $150K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$150K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in FL.
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Luis Von Ahn Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 68 | $7M | 67.3% |
| 2 | Guatemala |
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Highly concentrated: few large grants totaling most of annual giving, frequent repeat funding to the same core grantees, primarily unrestricted/general operating support, and geographically focused on Guatemala with occasional U.S.-based intermediary support.
Notable grantees: Defensores de la Naturaleza, Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions, Inc., Seattle International Foundation
Typical grants cluster at a relatively high level: the 25th percentile is $50,000, the median is $75,000, and the 75th percentile is $150,000. Recent awards above that range show the foundation making larger, repeat general operating grants to a small set of organizations. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Defensores De La Naturaleza, Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc, Antigua International Education Foundation Inc, Maia, Wuqu' Kawoq Sa, Seattle International Foundation, Friends of Fafg Inc, and Limitless Horizons Ixil Inc. The foundation is a Regular Funder and also funds individuals. Its active programs include open-call Visionary Awards, while Learning Grants and Core Grants are not unsolicited.
Grantmaking is national in scope, but the recipient base is concentrated in Guatemala and the United States. Guatemala accounts for 31 grants, or 31.0%, while U.S. recipients account for 68 grants, or 68.0%; Canada appears once. Named recipient locations include Ciudad de Guatemala, Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, New Gloucester, ME, Seattle, WA, Princeton, NJ, Denver, CO, and New York, NY. The top state by grant count is Maine, reflecting where it gives most often, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Pittsburgh, PA.
Its recent grants concentrate on organizations working in Guatemala on conservation, women’s empowerment, education, and human rights. Several of the largest awards are general operating grants to a small set of repeat recipients, including Defensores De La Naturaleza and Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc.
Some programs do. The Luis von Ahn Visionary Award accepts open-call nominations, including a Young Leader category for ages 18–25. By contrast, Learning Grants and Core Grants are marked as not accepting unsolicited requests.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger multi-year patterns, such as repeated six-figure general operating support to the same organizations.
Both, with a tilt toward U.S.-based recipients in the recent data. Recipient country distribution shows 68 grants to U.S. organizations, 31 to Guatemala-based recipients, and 1 to Canada-based recipients.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years with recurring general operating grants, including Defensores De La Naturaleza, Women’s International Network for Guatemalan Solutions Inc, Antigua International Education Foundation Inc, Maia, Wuqu' Kawoq Sa, and Limitless Horizons Ixil Inc.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 32 |
| $2.8M |
31.7% |
| 3 | Canada | 1 | $6K | 1.0% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA | CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA, GU | $478,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR GUATEMALAN SOLUTIONS INC | DENVER, CO | $375,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| INSTITUT PIRVADO DE INVESTIGACION SOBRE EL CAMBIO CLIMTICO (ICC) | SANTA LUCIA COTZUMALGUAPA, ES | $240,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| FOUNDATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VALLEY OF GUATEMALA | PRINCETON, NJ | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MAIA | DENVER, CO | $180,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WUQU' KAWOQ SA | BETHEL, VT | $180,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| LIMITLESS HORIZONS IXIL INC | ROSLINDALE, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WOMEN'S JUSTICE INITIATIVE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF FAFG INC | MCLEAN, VA | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ASOCIACION CIVIL DIALOGOS | GU | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| CREAMOS NORTE | SCARBOROUGH, ME | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| BLUE WORLD FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARCAS WILDLIFE RESCUE AND CONSERVATION | CHICAGO, IL | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| BE JUST INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $85,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PLANTING SEEDS INTERNATIONAL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| INICIATIVA GUATEMALA | BEALETON, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MESO FOUNDATION | COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ASOCIACION GUATEMALTECA DE HISTORIA NATURAL | — | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE | PRINCETON, NJ | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECT FOR ADVOCACY STRATEGY LAB IN WASHINGTON DC |
| CHILD AID | PORTLAND, OR | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| THE GUATEMALAN TOMORROW FUND | TEQUESTA, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PLATAFORME INTERNACIONALE CONTRE L'IMPUNITE | CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA, GU | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| COOPERATIVE FOR EDUCATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ASOCIACION CASASITO | AN | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT FOR INTERNAL CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL RECOVERY PROJECT IN CENTRAL AMERICA |
| TAN UXIL | GU | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARCAS WILDLIFE RESCUE AND CONSERVATION | CHICAGO, IL | $42,000 | 2025 | MACAW RELEASE PROJECT |
| ASOCIACION EL DIRECTORIO GUATEMALA | AN | $30,400 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT |
| LABORATORIO DE MEDIOS SA | GU | $30,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT |
| SHE'S THE FIRST | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TRAINING INITIATIVE PROJECT TO INCREASE GIRLS' POWER IN EMERGING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS |
| PONOMA IMPACT FOUNDATION | BOCA RATON, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS FOR NONPROFITS PROJECT |
| INSTITUTO 25A | GU | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MATHKIND GLOBAL INC | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ASOCIACION GUATEMALTECA DE HISTORIA NATURAL | CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA, GU | $25,000 | 2025 | ENABLING LOCAL CONSERVATION EDUCATION |
| ICIAAD | GU | $25,000 | 2025 | SAVINGS CLUB IN COASTAL FISHING COMMUNITY IN EL SAFARI, CHINQUIMULILLA, SANTA ROSA |
| ASOCIACION PARA EL LIDERAZGO DE GUATEMALA | GU | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTEES | PITTSBURGH, PA | $17,834 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| SAFE PASSAGE | NEW GLOUCESTER, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT |
| SUNFLOWER COMMUNICATIONS | TORONTO, ON | $6,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT |
| DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA | CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA, GU | $385,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR GUATEMALAN SOLUTIONS INC | PUEBLO, CO | $330,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| INSTITUT PIRVADO DE INVESTIGACIN SOBRE EL CAMBIO CLIMTICO (ICC) | SANTA LUCIA COTZUMALGUAPA, ES | $220,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | PRINCETON, NJ | $220,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WUQU' KAWOQ SA | BETHEL, VT | $165,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MAIA | DENVER, CO | $165,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $155,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA
$478,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
INSTITUT PIRVADO DE INVESTIGACION SOBRE EL CAMBIO CLIMTICO (ICC)
$240,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
FOUNDATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VALLEY OF GUATEMALA
GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
FRIENDS OF FAFG INC
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ASOCIACION CIVIL DIALOGOS
$110,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
BLUE WORLD FOUNDATION INC
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ARCAS WILDLIFE RESCUE AND CONSERVATION
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
BE JUST INC
$85,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PLANTING SEEDS INTERNATIONAL
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
MESO FOUNDATION
$70,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ASOCIACION GUATEMALTECA DE HISTORIA NATURAL
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
SPECIAL PROJECT FOR ADVOCACY STRATEGY LAB IN WASHINGTON DC
CHILD AID
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
THE GUATEMALAN TOMORROW FUND
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PLATAFORME INTERNACIONALE CONTRE L'IMPUNITE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ASOCIACION CASASITO
$50,000PROJECT FOR INTERNAL CAPACITY BUILDING
TAN UXIL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ARCAS WILDLIFE RESCUE AND CONSERVATION
$42,000MACAW RELEASE PROJECT
ASOCIACION EL DIRECTORIO GUATEMALA
$30,400CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
LABORATORIO DE MEDIOS SA
$30,000CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
TRAINING INITIATIVE PROJECT TO INCREASE GIRLS' POWER IN EMERGING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
PONOMA IMPACT FOUNDATION
$25,000CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS FOR NONPROFITS PROJECT
INSTITUTO 25A
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
MATHKIND GLOBAL INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ASOCIACION GUATEMALTECA DE HISTORIA NATURAL
$25,000ENABLING LOCAL CONSERVATION EDUCATION
ICIAAD
$25,000SAVINGS CLUB IN COASTAL FISHING COMMUNITY IN EL SAFARI, CHINQUIMULILLA, SANTA ROSA
ASOCIACION PARA EL LIDERAZGO DE GUATEMALA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTEES
$17,834GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
SAFE PASSAGE
$10,000CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
SUNFLOWER COMMUNICATIONS
$6,000CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA
$385,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR GUATEMALAN SOLUTIONS INC
$330,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
INSTITUT PIRVADO DE INVESTIGACIN SOBRE EL CAMBIO CLIMTICO (ICC)
$220,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$220,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS