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Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $155,862 - $197,167
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $500 - $7,500 (plus major institutional endowments)
  • Geographic Focus: National (USA), with international initiatives in Bangladesh and India

Contact Details

Foundation Office:

California Address on Record:

  • Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Overview

The Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation was established in 2006 (formally incorporated in 2010) by Dr. Subir Chowdhury, a renowned quality management expert and author, and his wife Malini Chowdhury. The foundation operates as a California private foundation with total assets of approximately $2.88 million. Since its inception, the foundation has donated millions of dollars to educational institutions with a clear mission: "promoting education and helping the poorest of poor" and focusing on "the education of those less fortunate in the world." The foundation has established major endowed programs at prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, IIT Kharagpur, Harvard University, and the London School of Economics, while also providing smaller grants to community organizations across the United States. The foundation distributes between 14-16 grants annually, with recent giving totaling approximately $155,862-$197,167 per year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Endowed Institutional Programs:

  • UC Berkeley Chowdhury Center: Established in 2014 with major endowment for the Subir & Malini Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies - the first Bangladesh studies center in the US outside of Bangladesh

    • Subir Chowdhury Fellowship on Quality of Life in Bangladesh: $7,500
    • Malini Chowdhury Fellowship on Bangladesh Studies: $7,500
    • Subir Chowdhury Undergraduate Scholarship (amount varies)

  • IIT Kharagpur: $1 million endowment (matched by IIT) to establish the Subir Chowdhury School of Quality and Reliability - the first of its kind in Asia

  • Harvard University & London School of Economics: Subir Chowdhury Fellowship on Quality and Economics for doctoral and postdoctoral students

  • University of Southern California: The Chowdhury Prize in Literature for mid-career American authors

Small to Medium General Grants: Based on 2023 grant activity, the foundation makes smaller grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to community organizations. Recent recipients include:

  • American Red Cross: $500
  • Bengali Association of Southern California (BASC): $5,000
  • Bharat Sevashram Sangha West: $1,000
  • Dakshini: $2,000
  • Feeding America: $500
  • German Shepherd Safe Haven Inc.
  • Project Angel Food (multi-year sponsor of Christmas Eve meals)

The foundation distributes 14-16 grants annually with a median grant of approximately $1,000.

Priority Areas

  1. Higher Education: Primary focus on establishing endowed centers, schools, fellowships, and scholarships at universities
  2. Bangladesh Studies & Development: Research and education focused on improving quality of life in Bangladesh
  3. Quality and Reliability Education: STEM education, quality management, and engineering excellence
  4. Community Support: Smaller grants to humanitarian organizations, cultural groups, and animal welfare
  5. Geographic reach: Projects funded across California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, New York, and internationally

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are published, but funding patterns suggest:

  • Organizations outside education and community service sectors receive limited support
  • Small community grants appear to favor organizations in California and with South Asian connections
  • No evidence of funding for arts (except literary prize), environmental causes, or policy advocacy

Governance and Leadership

Dr. Subir Chowdhury (Founder & Trustee): Distinguished quality management expert, bestselling author, and IIT Kharagpur alumnus. A leading voice in quality improvement and operational excellence, his philosophy emphasizes that "Quality must be the responsibility of every individual in all organizations."

Malini Chowdhury (Co-Founder & Trustee): Partner in the foundation's mission to advance education for disadvantaged populations globally.

The foundation is committed to advancing research and education in quality management while supporting STEM education, "fostering critical & creative thinking, and encouraging young learners to become tomorrow's innovators today."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates through:

  1. Trustee-Directed Giving: Grants appear to be initiated by the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and relationships
  2. Institutional Partnerships: Major endowed programs are established through direct negotiation with universities
  3. Invitation-Based: There is no online portal, application form, or published application guidelines

For UC Berkeley fellowships funded by the foundation, applications are handled by the university (submitted by department advisors to pkala@berkeley.edu by April 1).

For USC's Chowdhury Prize in Literature, there is no application process - candidates are identified by the prize jury.

Those interested in foundation support should contact the foundation directly via the contact information listed above, though unsolicited applications may not be considered.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Institutional endowments appear to be negotiated over extended periods. Small grants may be made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the trustee-directed nature of grantmaking, success rates for unsolicited applications are likely very low.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on funding patterns, the following insights may be valuable:

For Organizations Seeking Foundation Support:

  1. Alignment with Education Mission: The foundation's clearest priority is educational initiatives, particularly those serving disadvantaged populations. Dr. Chowdhury's statement that the foundation focuses on "the education of those less fortunate in the world" is central to their mission.

  2. Quality and Excellence Focus: Given Dr. Subir Chowdhury's background as a quality management expert, programs demonstrating commitment to excellence, measurement, and continuous improvement may resonate with the foundation's values.

  3. South Asian Connections: The foundation shows particular interest in Bangladesh-related causes and South Asian cultural organizations (e.g., Bengali Association of Southern California received $5,000, one of the larger community grants).

  4. California Location: A significant portion of smaller community grants go to California-based organizations, particularly in Southern California where the foundation is based.

  5. Established Institutional Credibility: Major grants go to prestigious universities (UC Berkeley, IIT Kharagpur, Harvard, LSE, USC), suggesting the foundation values institutional reputation and capacity for impact.

  6. Long-term Impact Focus: The foundation prefers creating endowed programs that continue in perpetuity rather than one-time project support.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • UC Berkeley's Chowdhury Center awards fellowships for research on improving quality of life in Bangladesh
  • IIT Kharagpur's School of Quality and Reliability focuses on the "trinity of Process, Planet and People (3P's)"
  • Community grants support humanitarian services (American Red Cross, Feeding America, Project Angel Food)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation operates through trustee-directed giving and does not accept unsolicited applications through a formal process
  • Education-Focused Mission: Primary funding goes to higher education institutions for endowed programs, fellowships, and scholarships serving disadvantaged students
  • Modest Annual Giving: With $155,862-$197,167 in annual grants, this is a small foundation relative to assets
  • Bangladesh Connection: Strong interest in research and programs related to Bangladesh studies and quality of life improvement in Bangladesh
  • Quality Management Philosophy: Founded by a leading quality expert, the foundation values excellence, measurement, and continuous improvement
  • Major Gifts to Institutions: Largest grants are multi-million dollar endowments to universities; community grants are typically $500-$5,000
  • Direct Contact Required: Organizations interested in support should reach out directly to the foundation office in Michigan rather than submitting through an application portal

References

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