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Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.8M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.7M

Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $775,572 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $159.6 million
  • Success Rate: N/A (preselected recipients only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $251 - $700,001 (median: $20,000)
  • Number of Grants: 21 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily New York) and International (India)

Contact Details

  • Address: 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10036-2714
  • Phone: 646-213-5111
  • Website: None publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2004 by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon. Based in New York City, the foundation has total assets of approximately $159.6 million and distributed $775,572 through 21 grants in 2023. The foundation is named after Chandrika Tandon's family and reflects the couple's deep commitment to education, the arts, community building, and spirituality.

The Tandons are prominent philanthropists known for their $100 million gift to NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering) in 2015—believed to be the largest philanthropic gift by an Indian-American at the time. Chandrika Tandon is a former McKinsey partner, Grammy-winning musician, and serves as Chair of the NYU Tandon Board. The foundation's mission is to "elevate human happiness through economic and emotional empowerment." The couple also operates the separate Tandon Family Foundation Inc., which has awarded nearly $6.9 million in grants in peak years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have named grant programs with public application processes. All grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's directors to preselected organizations.

Typical Grant Sizes (2023):

  • Large grants: $200,000 (NYU, Horatio Alger Association)
  • Medium grants: $100,000 (American India Foundation)
  • Smaller grants: $20,000 - $26,000 (median range)

Priority Areas

  • Higher Education: Universities in the U.S. and India, particularly STEM fields
  • Arts & Culture: Music education, performing arts, cultural organizations with South Asian focus
  • Community Building: Organizations serving South Asian communities
  • Spirituality & Religious Organizations: Hindu temples, religious educational institutions, and organizations promoting Vedantic studies
  • Human Services: Educational and humanitarian organizations
  • Global Development: Organizations working in India, particularly in education and rural development

Notable Grantees Include:

  • New York University
  • Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
  • American India Foundation
  • South Asian Council for Social Services
  • Art of Living Foundation
  • World Music Institute
  • Lincoln Center
  • Harvard University
  • Yale University
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Oxford Center for Hindu Studies
  • Arsha Vidya Gurukulam
  • Indo-American Arts Council
  • Jiva Performing Arts
  • Teach for America
  • Federation of Tamil Sangams
  • Hindu American Foundation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on giving patterns:

  • The foundation does not fund organizations outside their established priority areas
  • No evidence of funding for general operating support to organizations without prior relationships
  • Does not appear to fund political organizations or advocacy campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Directors (all serve without compensation):

  • Chandrika Tandon - Director and Chair; Grammy-winning musician, former McKinsey partner, Chair of NYU Tandon School of Engineering Board
  • Ranjan Tandon - Director; Founder and Chairman of Libra Advisors (hedge fund, now family office), Harvard Business School graduate
  • Lita Tandon - Director
  • Deven Sharma - Director

Key Quote from Chandrika Tandon on Philanthropy:

"We are changing not just individual lives but we are changing generations."

On the Transformative Power of Arts:

"Since ancient times, art has had the ability to transform every sphere of life: people, communities, education -- I discovered my whole self when returning to music, and my life is far richer because of that. I wish the same transformative experience for others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly stated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are made at the discretion of the directors based on their personal knowledge of and relationships with organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

The following information is based on the Tandons' documented philanthropic interests and involvement:

  • Educational Institutions: The Tandons prioritize organizations where they have board involvement or alumni connections. They hold positions at NYU, Harvard Business School, Yale, and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
  • Arts & Music Sector: Chandrika Tandon is deeply embedded in the music world through her nonprofit label Soul Chants Music and her performances at venues like Lincoln Center. Organizations working in South Asian music, traditional Indian arts, or community music programs may align with their interests.
  • South Asian Community: The foundation has consistently supported organizations serving the South Asian diaspora and causes in India. Building visibility in Indian-American philanthropic circles may create opportunities.
  • Horatio Alger Association Network: The Tandons fund the Horatio Alger Association and Chandrika is a 2019 Award recipient. Connection through this network could create visibility.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation makes approximately 21 grants annually based on 2023 data.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for external applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, organizations seeking support should focus on:

Alignment with Tandon Values:

  • Demonstrable impact on education, particularly STEM and higher education
  • Connection to arts, music, or cultural preservation (especially South Asian heritage)
  • Work that contributes to "elevating human happiness through economic and emotional empowerment"
  • Programs supporting first-generation students or underserved populations in education

Examples of Recently Funded Work:

  • NYU Tandon School of Engineering - enhanced access for first-generation and women students
  • Horatio Alger Association scholarships - supporting students who have overcome adversity
  • American India Foundation - development work in India
  • Art of Living Foundation - spiritual and humanitarian programs

Building Relationships:

  • Engagement with institutions where the Tandons have leadership roles (NYU, Lincoln Center, American Academy of Arts and Sciences)
  • Visibility in Indian-American philanthropic networks
  • Involvement in music education or traditional Indian arts programming

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No Public Application Process: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests. All grants go to preselected organizations with existing relationships to the directors.

  2. Education is Primary: Higher education, particularly STEM, is the strongest funding priority. The $100 million NYU gift demonstrates their commitment to transformative educational philanthropy.

  3. Strong South Asian Focus: Organizations serving the Indian-American community or working in India have received consistent support.

  4. Arts & Spirituality Matter: Chandrika Tandon's career as a Grammy-winning musician and the foundation's support for religious and cultural organizations reflects genuine passion in these areas.

  5. Relationship-Based Giving: The Tandons give to organizations where they have personal connections, board involvement, or alumni relationships. Building authentic relationships within their network is essential.

  6. Modest Annual Distribution: Despite $159 million in assets, annual giving is approximately $775,000. The foundation appears to take a targeted, relationship-based approach rather than high-volume grantmaking.

  7. Consider the Tandon Family Foundation: The Tandons also operate the separate Tandon Family Foundation Inc., which has made larger distributions in some years (nearly $6.9 million in 2017).

References

Accessed December 2025

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