The Schwartz Family Foundation concentrates its giving on organizations connected to the Maharishi/Transcendental Meditation movement—particularly higher education and K–12 institutions in Fairfield, IA—while also supporting wellness, scholarships, and a small set of community well‑being causes. Grants are program‑specific (digital transformation, scholarship funding, multi‑year school plans) and occasionally extend to national-impact causes like medical debt relief and local housing initiatives. The foundation favors mission-aligned institutions and projects that advance education, meditation-based wellness, and financial relief for vulnerable populations.
The Schwartz Family Foundation’s largest recent grants have gone to Maharishi International University Foundation for support of the Dhammacharinee Wittaya School in Thailand, including a $1,291,889 grant in 2025 and a $657,322 grant in 2024. That pattern points to a funder that consistently backs Maharishi-affiliated education projects, while also funding related institutions in Fairfield, Iowa. Across recent years, the foundation has supported Maharishi International University, Maharishi School, and Raam Raj Foundation, with grant purposes ranging from digital delivery and infrastructure development to a five-year school plan, scholarships, and courses in Maharishi Vedic Science. The giving also reaches beyond education into meditation-based wellness and community relief. David Lynch Foundation received multiple grants for TTC scholarships, veterans study, and the Healthy Families/Healthy Communities program, showing a separate line of support tied to access to meditation-based services. Other recent grants went to housing, medical debt relief, and girls’ education, indicating that the foundation combines institution-specific support with targeted program funding.
Education is a central theme in the foundation’s giving. Maharishi International University received $673,746 in 2025 for digital delivery and infrastructure development, and $317,067 in 2023 for MIU digital transformation. Maharishi School was awarded $300,000 in 2025 for its five-year plan, scholarships, and general operating support, following a $150,000 grant in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also backed course development at Raam Raj Foundation with a $190,000 grant in 2025. Beyond education, the foundation supports wellness and family services. David Lynch Foundation received $250,000 in 2025 for the Healthy Families/Healthy Communities program, and $388,125 in 2024 for TTC scholarships. Community relief appears as another lane, including $500,000 to Rip Medical Debt in 2024 for erasing medical debt and $600,000 to Community Foundation of Jackson Hole in 2024 for the housing initiative.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $139,980 at the 75th percentile, showing a mix of smaller awards and larger institutional grants. The recent record includes repeated support for the same recipients across multiple years, especially Maharishi International University Foundation, Maharishi International University, Maharishi School, Sri Devi Mandir Temple, Ptsd Relief Now, and David Lynch Foundation. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing, relationship-based funding rather than one-off only. The foundation is a family foundation, gives nationally, funds individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The grant list also includes multi-year purpose language such as digital transformation, scholarship support, and school planning, which points to programmatic and capacity-building support alongside operating grants.
$3.7M
$32.8M
$13.2M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $140K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$140K
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Concentrated giving: a small number of large grants (several >$300K) with repeated multi-year support to core, mission-aligned organizations (MIU and Maharishi School), supplemented by occasional sizable one-off gifts to national or regional causes.
Notable grantees: Maharishi International University Foundation, Maharishi International University, Maharishi School, David Lynch Foundation, Rip Medical Debt
Although the foundation gives nationally, 53% of grants went to recipients in Iowa, and Fairfield appears frequently among the recipients. Beyond Iowa, recent grants reached Jackson, Wyoming; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; and Wilson, Wyoming. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided. In practice, the geography of giving is concentrated in a few U.S. locations, with Fairfield as the main hub of recipient organizations and smaller clusters in Wyoming and the East Coast.
It most often supports Maharishi-affiliated education and related institutions, including Maharishi International University, Maharishi School, Raam Raj Foundation, and Maharishi Foundation International. The recent grants also include meditation-based wellness, housing, medical debt relief, and girls’ education programs.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $139,980 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range from smaller operating grants to multimillion-dollar support tied to specific education projects.
Yes. Maharishi International University Foundation, Maharishi International University, Maharishi School, Sri Devi Mandir Temple, Ptsd Relief Now, and David Lynch Foundation each appear in multiple years, which shows recurring support rather than isolated gifts.
Iowa receives the most grants, accounting for 53% of grants to recipients in the data. Fairfield, Iowa is a frequent recipient location, while other recent grants went to Jackson, Wyoming; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; and Wilson, Wyoming.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $1,291,889 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE DHAMMACHARINEE WITTAYA SCHOOL IN THAILAND |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $673,746 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT |
| MAHARISHI SCHOOL | FAIRFIELD, IA | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR 5 YEAR PLAN, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AFRICA COLLEGE FUND | FAIRFIELD, IA | $250,000 | 2025 | MAHARISHI INVINCIBILITY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AND THE MAHARISHI ECO-CAMPUS SUPPORT |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTHY FAMILIES/HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM |
| RAAM RAJ FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $190,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE COURSES IN MAHARISHI VEDIC SCIENCE |
| BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR AFRICAN WOMEN AND GIRLS ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SRI DEVI MANDIR TEMPLE | FAIRFIELD, IA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAHARISHI FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL | FAIRFIELD, IA | $67,500 | 2025 | TEACHER TRAINING COURSE INNOVATION PROJECT SUPPORT |
| THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GIRLS OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE SUPPORT |
| PTSD RELIEF NOW | FAIRFIELD, IA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE EAST AFRICA FUND |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DR. TONY NADER INSTITUTE CENTER FOR EXECUTIVE EDUCATION |
| LEADING FROM WITHIN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MISSION BLUE | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OLIVE CREST | SANTA ANA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RAINFOREST TRUST | WARRENTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PATHFINDERS RC&D | FAIRFIELD, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONE EARTH PHILANTHROPY | CULVER CITY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COLLATERAL REPAIR PROJECT | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SUPER GIRLS PROGRAM |
| FOREST TRENDS ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF DAUGHTERS FOR EARTH |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION | PALMETTO BAY, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH INITIATIVES |
| MAHARISHI PURUSHA PROGRAM | ROMNEY, WV | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY FARMERS AND NEIGHBORS INC | FAIRFIELD, IA | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WATERISLIFE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RACHEL'S NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SIEDA COMMUNITY ACTION | OTTUMWA, IA | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CARE FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CARE IMPACT AWARDS |
| MAHARISHI GLOBAL ADMIN THROUGH NATURAL LAW | LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $1,800 | 2025 | MIU FACULTY AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD SUPPORT |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR RENA BOONE RETIREMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $657,322 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE DHAMMACHARINEE WITTAYA SCHOOL IN THAILAND |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $600,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSING INITIATIVE |
| RIP MEDICAL DEBT | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR ERASING MEDICAL DEBT |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $388,125 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR TTC SCHOLARSHIPS |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $352,664 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR VETERANS STUDY |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $224,448 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR MIU DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE | JACKSON, WY | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR OLD BILL'S FUN RUN PASS THROUGH FUND |
| SRI DEVI MANDIR TEMPLE | FAIRFIELD, IA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE PEOPLE CONCERN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE SHWASHLOCK PROGRAM |
| PTSD RELIEF NOW | FAIRFIELD, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR THE EAST AFRICA FUND |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $41,250 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR MARKETING, ADMISSIONS, ONLINE ACADEMIC ADVISING, AND FINANCIAL AID AT THE UNIVERSITY |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, IA | $28,053 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR WORLD PEACE ASSEMBLY FUND |
MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$1,291,889SUPPORT FOR THE DHAMMACHARINEE WITTAYA SCHOOL IN THAILAND
SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
MAHARISHI SCHOOL
$300,000SUPPORT FOR 5 YEAR PLAN, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAHARISHI INVINCIBILITY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AND THE MAHARISHI ECO-CAMPUS SUPPORT
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$250,000SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTHY FAMILIES/HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
SUPPORT TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE COURSES IN MAHARISHI VEDIC SCIENCE
BRAHMANANDA SARASWATI FOUNDATION
$150,000SUPPORT FOR AFRICAN WOMEN AND GIRLS ORGANIZATION
SRI DEVI MANDIR TEMPLE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TEACHER TRAINING COURSE INNOVATION PROJECT SUPPORT
THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION
$50,000GIRLS OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE SUPPORT
PTSD RELIEF NOW
$50,000SUPPORT FOR THE EAST AFRICA FUND
SUPPORT FOR DR. TONY NADER INSTITUTE CENTER FOR EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
PATHFINDERS RC&D
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COLLATERAL REPAIR PROJECT
$10,000SUPPORT SUPER GIRLS PROGRAM
JEFFERSON COUNTY FARMERS AND NEIGHBORS INC
$6,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WATERISLIFE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SIEDA COMMUNITY ACTION
$4,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CARE FOUNDATION
$2,500SUPPORT FOR CARE IMPACT AWARDS
MAHARISHI GLOBAL ADMIN THROUGH NATURAL LAW
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NOAH'S ARK FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MIU FACULTY AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD SUPPORT
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$1,800SUPPORT FOR RENA BOONE RETIREMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$657,322SUPPORT FOR THE DHAMMACHARINEE WITTAYA SCHOOL IN THAILAND
RIP MEDICAL DEBT
$500,000SUPPORT FOR ERASING MEDICAL DEBT
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$388,125SUPPORT FOR TTC SCHOLARSHIPS
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$352,664SUPPORT FOR VETERANS STUDY
SUPPORT FOR OLD BILL'S FUN RUN PASS THROUGH FUND
SRI DEVI MANDIR TEMPLE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PTSD RELIEF NOW
$50,000SUPPORT FOR THE EAST AFRICA FUND
SUPPORT FOR MARKETING, ADMISSIONS, ONLINE ACADEMIC ADVISING, AND FINANCIAL AID AT THE UNIVERSITY
MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$28,053SUPPORT FOR WORLD PEACE ASSEMBLY FUND