The Mirza Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on higher education and Muslim-focused research and training, primarily supporting regional universities and organizations that advance Islamic studies and student scholarships. Grants are few but substantial, often made repeatedly to the same institutions to underwrite programs, research centers, and scholarship funds. The foundation appears regionally focused in Virginia while also prioritizing capacity-building for Islamic scholarship and student support.
The Mirza Family Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $1,000,067 award to Shenandoah University for program assistance, a signal of how heavily the foundation leans into higher education support. Its recent giving also includes repeated backing for George Mason University Foundation’s Abu Sulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies, showing a sustained interest in university-based Islamic studies. The foundation funds a mix of program support, scholarship aid, and educational services, with several grants tied to Muslim-focused research, teaching, and student support. It also makes direct financial assistance grants to individuals, which places it in a category that combines institutional philanthropy with personal aid. Across the recent grant list, the pattern is consistent: the foundation returns to a small set of organizations and program lines rather than spreading funds broadly. Shenandoah University appears multiple times with different purposes, including program assistance, educational services, and scholarship or textbook support. George Mason University Foundation likewise receives repeat support for the Abu Sulayman Center. Other awards extend the same themes into community services, Muslim philanthropy, and scholarship funds, indicating a giving profile centered on education, Islamic studies, and selected social-service needs.
Higher education is a core theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $125,000 to Shenandoah University for educational services and operational support, and it also gave $9,000 to the same university for legacy scholarship, textbook funds, and a food pantry. Islamic studies and Muslim scholarship form another clear line of support. The foundation awarded $300,000 in both 2025 and 2024 to George Mason University Foundation for the Abu Sulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies, and it gave $20,000 to Indiana University Foundation for the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. It also funds direct student aid and religiously oriented education. Grants include $28,607 for tuition assistance to students at different universities and $100,000 to Faith for educational scholarships. Community-facing services appear as well, including $30,000 to The Cleveland Clinic Foundaton for community services and $10,000 to Casa for children and court-appointed special advocate work.
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s annual giving, with a p25 of $1,625, median of $3,750, and p75 of $9,000. The recent list shows a mix of very large institutional awards and many smaller grants, including direct assistance to individuals. The pattern is repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years. George Mason University Foundation appears in both 2024 and 2025, as does Shenandoah University and Faith. The foundation is a family foundation, and it also funds individuals. The grants shown are program-based or financial-assistance awards rather than program-related investments.
$2.1M
$17.8M
$4.1M
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $2K and $9K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$9K
About 53% of grants go to recipients in GA.
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, large-dollar grants made to a small number of repeat grantees; multi-grant relationships that emphasize program assistance, research centers, and scholarships rather than many small or one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: Shenandoah University, George Mason University Foundation (Abu Sulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies), Center for Islam in the Contemporary World, FAITH (educational scholarship provider)
Grants land primarily in Virginia, which receives 53% of grants, and the recipient list is entirely U.S.-based. Virginia recipients include Winchester, Fairfax, Herndon, Washington, Sterling, and Gaithersburg-area grantees tied to nearby institutions. Outside Virginia, the foundation gives in Georgia, where it has its highest grant count by state. Other recipient cities in the recent list include Indianapolis, Cleveland, Tampa, Bala Cynwyd, Bloomfield Hills, Rolling Meadows, Richardson, Plainfield, Gainesville, and Dallas.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on universities and education-related programs, especially higher education support and Islamic studies. It also funds scholarship programs, Muslim philanthropy initiatives, community services, and some direct financial assistance to individuals for educational and medical needs.
Yes. George Mason University Foundation received $300,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for the Abu Sulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies. Shenandoah University also appears multiple times across 2025 and 2024, with awards for program assistance, educational services, and scholarship or textbook support.
The typical grant size is relatively small compared with the foundation’s annual giving: p25 is $1,625, median is $3,750, and p75 is $9,000. The recent list also includes much larger institutional grants, such as a $1,000,067 award to Shenandoah University.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals through financial assistance grants, including awards for educational and medical assistance. The recent grant list also includes tuition assistance grants for students at different universities.
Georgia is the top state by grant count, while Virginia receives 53% of grants. The recent recipient list is entirely U.S.-based, with Virginia cities such as Winchester, Fairfax, and Herndon appearing repeatedly.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,000,067 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - ABU SULAYMAN CENTER FOR GLOBAL ISLAMIC STUDIES |
| CENTER FOR ISLAM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD | HERNDON, VA | $260,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - RESEARCH,GRANTS, TRAINING, TEACHING PROGRAMS |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $125,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES/OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FAITH | HERNDON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - VARIOUS NEEDY INDIVIDUALS | FAIRFAX, VA | $50,650 | 2025 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - INDIVIDUAL/ EDUCATIONAL & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE |
| THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATON | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - MUSLIM PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE |
| FAITH | HERNDON, VA | $17,600 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL SERVICES |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIMS IN SOCIAL WORK | BLOOMFIELD HILL, MI | $12,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| PEACEFUL FAMILY PROJECT INC | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $12,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | ROLLING MEADOWS, IL | $11,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $11,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| RADIANT HANDS | TAMPA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - HURRICANE RELIEF |
| ADAMS ENDOWMENT FUND | STERLING, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY CENTER |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TAXES AT DALLAS | RICHARDSON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| MARCY-USA | PLAINFIELD, MI | $9,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $9,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP/TEXTBOOK FUNDS/FOOD PANTRY |
| VARIOUS CHARITIES LESS THAN 100000 CONTRIBUTIONS | HERNDON, VA | $7,740 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| SCGF - (SIFLP AND SSILLC- K1) CONTRIBUTION | HAILEY, VA | $7,102 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY / SOCIAL/EDUCATION TO OTHER CHARITIES |
| TUITION ASSISTANCE (3) STUTENDS TO DIFFERNT UNIVERSITIES | FAIRFAX, VA | $6,451 | 2025 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TUITION FEE/ EDUCATIONAL |
| CASA | GAINESVILLE, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - CHILDREN/COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | AKRON, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| FULFILL MONMOUTH AND OCEAN | NEPTUNE, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL HELP - POOR & NEEDY STUDENT HELP |
| UNUS FAMILY FOUNDATION | HERNDON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES |
| DAR AL-HIJRAH ISLAMIC CENTER | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY CENTER |
| ADAMS COMPASSIONATE HEALTHCARE NETWORK | CHANTILLY, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| NICS BSA | SMORESET, NJ | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES |
| IQRA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | SKOKIE, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| NOBLE GARDEN ACADEMY | FAIRFAX, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATION SERVICES |
| NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ISNA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | PLAINFIELD, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY |
| BDESH FOUNDATION | STERLING, VA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES |
| ADAMS CENTER | STERLING, VA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| EDU- GIRLS | NORTH POTOMAC, MD | $1,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| LITTLE SISTER FUND | HAILEY, ID | $500 | 2025 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $300,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - ABU SULAYMAN CENTER FOR GLOBAL ISLAMIC STUDIES |
| FAITH | HERNDON, VA | $121,055 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL SERVICES |
| CENTER FOR ISLAM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD | HERNDON, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - RESEARCH,GRANTS, TRAINING, TEACHING PROGRAMS |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, VA | $60,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES -VR FOR HAJJ AND UMMRA |
| FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - VARIOUS NEEDY INDIVIDUALS | FAIRFAX, VA | $44,900 | 2024 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - INDIVIDUAL/ EDUCATIONAL & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE |
| TUITION ASSISTANCE (4) STUTENDS TO DIFFERNT UNIVERSITIES | FAIRFAX, VA | $28,607 | 2024 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TUITION FEE/ EDUCATIONAL |
| SCGF - (SIFLP AND SSILLC- K1) CONTRIBUTION | HAILEY, VA | $16,275 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY / SOCIAL/EDUCATION TO OTHER CHARITIES |
| FAITH | HERNDON, VA | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CASA | GAINESVILLE, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - CHILDREN/COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE |
| UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $6,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| ACADEMY BAPTIST CHURCH | JEFFERSON, GA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES/SCHOLARSHIPS ASSISTANCE |
| LOUDOUN LITERACY COUNCIL | LEESBURG, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$1,000,067PROGRAM ASSISTANCE -
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$300,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - ABU SULAYMAN CENTER FOR GLOBAL ISLAMIC STUDIES
CENTER FOR ISLAM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
$260,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - RESEARCH,GRANTS, TRAINING, TEACHING PROGRAMS
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$125,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES/OPERATION SUPPORT
FAITH
$100,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - VARIOUS NEEDY INDIVIDUALS
$50,650FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - INDIVIDUAL/ EDUCATIONAL & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATON
$30,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES
INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$20,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - MUSLIM PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE
FAITH
$17,600PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL SERVICES
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIMS IN SOCIAL WORK
$12,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES
PEACEFUL FAMILY PROJECT INC
$12,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$11,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/SOCIAL SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$11,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
RADIANT HANDS
$10,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - HURRICANE RELIEF
ADAMS ENDOWMENT FUND
$10,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY CENTER
THE UNIVERSITY OF TAXES AT DALLAS
$10,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
MARCY-USA
$9,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$9,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP/TEXTBOOK FUNDS/FOOD PANTRY
VARIOUS CHARITIES LESS THAN 100000 CONTRIBUTIONS
$7,740PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES
SCGF - (SIFLP AND SSILLC- K1) CONTRIBUTION
$7,102PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY / SOCIAL/EDUCATION TO OTHER CHARITIES
TUITION ASSISTANCE (3) STUTENDS TO DIFFERNT UNIVERSITIES
$6,451FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TUITION FEE/ EDUCATIONAL
CASA
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - CHILDREN/COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES
FULFILL MONMOUTH AND OCEAN
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$5,000EDUCATIONAL HELP - POOR & NEEDY STUDENT HELP
UNUS FAMILY FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES
DAR AL-HIJRAH ISLAMIC CENTER
$3,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY CENTER
ADAMS COMPASSIONATE HEALTHCARE NETWORK
$3,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES
NICS BSA
$2,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/SOCIAL SERVICES
IQRA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$2,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES
NOBLE GARDEN ACADEMY
$2,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATION SERVICES
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST TORTURE
$2,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES
ISNA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$2,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY
BDESH FOUNDATION
$1,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL SERVICES
ADAMS CENTER
$1,500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES
EDU- GIRLS
$1,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
LITTLE SISTER FUND
$500PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - SOCIAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$300,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - ABU SULAYMAN CENTER FOR GLOBAL ISLAMIC STUDIES
FAITH
$121,055PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL SERVICES
CENTER FOR ISLAM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
$100,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - RESEARCH,GRANTS, TRAINING, TEACHING PROGRAMS
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$60,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES -VR FOR HAJJ AND UMMRA
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - VARIOUS NEEDY INDIVIDUALS
$44,900FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - INDIVIDUAL/ EDUCATIONAL & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
TUITION ASSISTANCE (4) STUTENDS TO DIFFERNT UNIVERSITIES
$28,607FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TUITION FEE/ EDUCATIONAL
SCGF - (SIFLP AND SSILLC- K1) CONTRIBUTION
$16,275PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY / SOCIAL/EDUCATION TO OTHER CHARITIES
FAITH
$15,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
CASA
$10,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - CHILDREN/COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$6,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
ACADEMY BAPTIST CHURCH
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - EDUCATIONAL SERVICES/SCHOLARSHIPS ASSISTANCE
LOUDOUN LITERACY COUNCIL
$5,000PROGRAM ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY/EDUCATIONAL SERVICES