Wadhwani Impact Trust

Quick Stats

• EIN: 25-1873137
• Total Assets: $70.6 million (2024)
• Annual Charitable Disbursements: $6.23 million (2024)
• Grant Awards (2023): $3.53 million to 4 organizations
• Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
• Geographic Focus: Pennsylvania (emphasis on Pittsburgh), India (through affiliated initiatives)
• Founded: 2000

Contact Details

Mailing Address: Bridgeville, PA 15017

Note: The Wadhwani Impact Trust does not have a public website or published contact information for grant applications. The foundation operates by invitation only.

Overview

The Wadhwani Impact Trust, formerly known as the Sunil and Nita Wadhwani Family Foundation, was established in 2000 by Sunil and Nita Wadhwani to leverage innovation to transform the lives and communities of the world's most vulnerable populations. As a private independent foundation based in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, the Trust focuses on education, healthcare, and community development initiatives, with particular emphasis on the Pittsburgh region and international projects in India.

The foundation has grown significantly since its inception, with total assets reaching $70.6 million in 2024, up from just over $130,000 in 2011. In 2024, the Trust made charitable disbursements totaling $6.23 million, representing 84.7% of its total expenses. The foundation operates as a tightly-managed family philanthropy, making strategic grants to preselected organizations rather than accepting open applications.

Notable recent initiatives include a landmark ₹110 crore (approximately $13 million) endowment to IIT Madras in January 2024 to establish the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, one of the largest gifts by an alumnus to create a school at an educational institution in India. The Trust also supports the Wadhwani Institute for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH Foundation) and the Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (WIAI), both focused on addressing critical challenges in underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wadhwani Impact Trust does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines or application cycles. Instead, the foundation makes strategic investments in organizations and initiatives aligned with the Wadhwani family's philanthropic vision.

Grant Activity:

• 2023: 4 grants totaling $3.53 million
• 2022: 6 grants
• 2021: 9 grants
• 2020: 12 grants

The trend toward fewer but larger grants suggests an increasingly strategic approach to philanthropy, focusing on major institutional partnerships and transformative initiatives.

Priority Areas

Based on the documented activities of founder Sunil Wadhwani and the Trust's supported initiatives, funding priorities include:

Education:

• Higher education institutions, particularly in STEM fields
• Data science and artificial intelligence education
• Educational technology and innovation
• Research institutions

Healthcare:

• Sustainable healthcare delivery models for underserved communities
• Healthcare technology and innovation
• Public health initiatives
• Medical research and healthcare systems strengthening

Economic Development:

• Workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Community economic development in Pittsburgh region
• Entrepreneurship and job creation programs

Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact:

• AI applications in healthcare, education, and agriculture
• Responsible AI development
• AI solutions for developing countries

Geographic Focus

• Primary: Pennsylvania, with emphasis on Pittsburgh and surrounding communities
• International: India, particularly healthcare and education initiatives for underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This means:

• Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant proposals
• The foundation does not accept cold applications or inquiries
• Grants are made based on trustee identification and discretion
• There is no public application process or published guidelines

Governance and Leadership

The Wadhwani Impact Trust is governed by the Wadhwani family:

Sunil Wadhwani - President and Secretary

• Co-founder of Mastech and IGATE
• Carnegie Mellon University alumnus (MS in Industrial Administration, 1976)
• Co-founder of Vibrant Pittsburgh (2010)
• Serves or has served as Trustee/Director of: Carnegie Mellon University, George Washington University, U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (Pittsburgh Branch), United Way Worldwide, UPMC Health System, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
• Founder of WISH Foundation (Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare)
• Co-founder of Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (with brother Romesh Wadhwani)

Nita Wadhwani - Chairperson and Assistant Secretary

• Co-founder of the Trust
• Active in family philanthropic initiatives

Shalina Wadhwani - Treasurer

Rohan Wadhwani - Vice President and Assistant Treasurer

Philanthropic Philosophy

While the Trust does not publish formal statements, Sunil Wadhwani's documented activities reveal a focus on leveraging innovation and technology to create systemic change. His approach emphasizes:

• Scale and sustainability over one-time interventions
• Technology-enabled solutions to social challenges
• Building institutional capacity through major endowments
• Focus on underserved and vulnerable populations
• Strategic partnerships with established institutions

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Wadhwani Impact Trust does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded based on:

• Trustee identification of strategic opportunities
• Pre-existing relationships with institutions and organizations
• Board member connections and affiliations
• Alignment with family philanthropic priorities

Organizations should not send unsolicited proposals, applications, or funding requests to the Trust.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the highly selective nature of this foundation, organizations interested in potential future consideration should focus on:

Institutional Connections: Sunil Wadhwani serves on the boards of several Pittsburgh institutions including Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC Health System. Organizations with connections to these institutions may have better visibility.

Pittsburgh Region Focus: The Trust has demonstrated commitment to the Pittsburgh region through support of Vibrant Pittsburgh and other local initiatives. Organizations addressing workplace diversity, economic development, or community challenges in Pittsburgh align with documented interests.

Healthcare Innovation: The WISH Foundation's work in sustainable healthcare suggests strong interest in innovative healthcare delivery models, particularly those serving underserved populations. Healthcare organizations with scalable, technology-enabled solutions may align with Trust priorities.

Education and AI: The major endowment to IIT Madras for data science and AI education signals strong interest in this field. Educational institutions developing programs in AI, data science, or related technologies may be of interest.

Demonstrated Impact at Scale: The Trust's shift toward fewer, larger grants suggests preference for organizations that can demonstrate significant impact and have capacity for growth and sustainability.

Note: Even with these alignments, there is no guarantee of consideration, as the Trust operates entirely on trustee discretion.

Application Success Factors

Since the Wadhwani Impact Trust does not accept applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from similar family foundations share certain characteristics:

Strategic Alignment: Organizations working in education (especially higher education and AI/technology), healthcare innovation, economic development, or serving underserved populations align with documented priorities.

Institutional Credibility: Major grants have gone to established institutions like IIT Madras. The Trust appears to favor partnerships with recognized, credible organizations that can effectively deploy large-scale funding.

Innovation and Technology: The Wadhwani family's business background in technology and their support for AI and healthcare innovation suggests preference for organizations leveraging technology for social impact.

Sustainability and Scale: Support for the WISH Foundation, which has served over 30 million patients, and for Wadhwani AI, which has reached 150 million people, demonstrates interest in initiatives that can achieve and sustain significant scale.

Pittsburgh Connections: Local organizations, particularly those addressing community development, workplace diversity, or healthcare challenges in the Pittsburgh region, align with demonstrated local commitments.

Capacity for Transformational Use of Funds: The trend toward larger, fewer grants suggests the Trust seeks organizations that can use significant funding to achieve transformational impact rather than incremental improvement.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Applications: The Wadhwani Impact Trust does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Traditional grant writing and proposal submission will not be successful.

• Relationship-Based Philanthropy: This is a family foundation operating on trustee discretion. Access requires pre-existing relationships or institutional connections.

• Focus on Major Gifts: Recent grant activity shows a trend toward fewer, larger grants to established institutions, suggesting a shift from small community grants to major strategic investments.

• Education and Healthcare Priority: The two clearest areas of focus are education (particularly AI/data science) and healthcare innovation for underserved populations.

• Pittsburgh Regional Commitment: Despite international initiatives, the Trust maintains strong ties to Pittsburgh and has supported local economic development and diversity initiatives.

• Innovation and Scale Matter: The Trust's supported initiatives consistently emphasize innovation, technology, and the ability to achieve impact at significant scale.

• Patience Required: With only 4 grants made in 2023, competition for the limited number of grant slots is extremely high, even among the select organizations the trustees consider.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wadhwani Impact Trust (EIN 25-1873137). Accessed January 24, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/251873137

2. Instrumentl - Wadhwani Impact Trust 990 Report. Accessed January 24, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/sunil-and-nita-wadhwani-fam-foundation

3. GrantStation - Wadhwani Impact Trust Profile. Accessed January 24, 2026. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/wadhwani-impact-trust

4. Business Standard. "IIT Madras receives endowment of Rs 110 Crore from Sunil Wadhwani to establish Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI." January 30, 2024. Accessed January 24, 2026.

5. IIT Madras Press Release. "IIT Madras receives endowment of Rs 110 crore from Mr. Sunil Wadhwani to establish Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI." January 30, 2024. Accessed January 24, 2026.

6. Wikipedia. "Sunil Wadhwani." Accessed January 24, 2026. (Information about his board positions and philanthropic activities)

7. WISH Foundation India. "Founder Donor - Sunil Wadhwani." Accessed January 24, 2026. https://www.wishfoundationindia.com/about/sunil-wadhwani

8. Wadhwani AI. "AI for Social Impact." Accessed January 24, 2026. https://www.wadhwaniai.org/

9. Cause IQ - Sunil and Nita Wadhwani Family Foundation. Accessed January 24, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sunil-and-nita-wadhwani-family-foundation,251873137/

10. Grantmakers.io - Wadhwani Impact Trust Profile. Accessed January 24, 2026.