Sehgal Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,900,000
• Success Rate: 12% (for new applicants)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,600,000
• Average Grant: $83,705
• Geographic Focus: United States (with emphasis on Iowa) and International (India)
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 100 Court Ave Suite 211, Des Moines, IA 50309

EIN: 42-1477858

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. There is no public website or application portal.

Overview

The Sehgal Foundation was established in 1998 in Des Moines, Iowa, by Dr. Surinder (Suri) Sehgal and Edda Sehgal as a 501(c)(3) private philanthropic organization, originally known as the Sehgal Family Foundation. With total assets of approximately $53 million, the foundation awards $2.9 million annually through approximately 30 grants. Founded by an international crop scientist inspired by a vision of a world free from hunger, the foundation focuses on arts and culture, education, and sports and recreation in the United States, while also supporting sustainable agriculture, water resources, and environmental conservation initiatives. The foundation collaborates with nonprofit institutions to support, strengthen, and expand their work rather than engaging in direct project implementation. The foundation's approach is driven by the founders' belief in the power of educational opportunity and appreciation for the experiences of immigrants and refugees, with a goal to bridge geographical and cultural gaps between people from different parts of the world.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified or with which they have established relationships.

Recent Grant Examples (2024):

• Youth and Shelter Services Inc: $125,000
• Iowa Council for International Understanding: $55,000
• Iowa Public Radio: $25,000
• Indiaspora: $10,000
• Harvard University: $2,500

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions and programs that promote understanding between diverse communities

Education: Educational initiatives, particularly those focused on international understanding, study abroad programs, and educational opportunity for underserved populations

Sports and Recreation: Youth sports and recreation programs

Environmental Conservation: Sustainable agriculture, water resources management, and biodiversity conservation

International Development: Primary focus on rural development in India through partnership with S M Sehgal Foundation, supporting water security, food security, and social justice initiatives

Geographic Focus

• United States cities including Ames, Berkeley, Boulder, Cambridge, Des Moines, and other locations
• International locations, particularly Gurgaon and Punjab in India

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's exclusions are not explicitly documented, but as an invitation-only funder, they do not accept unsolicited proposals from organizations outside their existing network.

Governance and Leadership

Surinder (Suri) M. Sehgal, PhD - Director, President, and Treasurer

• International crop scientist and global leader in the development and spread of the hybrid seed industry
• Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Founded the foundation with a vision inspired by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan's work toward a world free from hunger

Edda G. Sehgal - Trustee and Co-founder

• Co-established both Sehgal Foundation in the USA and S M Sehgal Foundation in India
• Active in foundation governance

Rajat J. Sehgal - Executive Vice President

• Only compensated board member with annual compensation of $188,158
• Oversees foundation operations

The foundation operates as a family foundation with close involvement of the Sehgal family in all grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Sehgal Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, meaning they do not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified through their networks or with which they have pre-existing relationships.

Rather than direct project implementation, the foundation's approach is to collaborate with nonprofit institutions they have identified to support, strengthen, and expand their existing work in areas aligned with the foundation's mission.

Getting on Their Radar

Sehgal Foundation International Visitors Center: The foundation has funded the Sehgal Foundation International Visitors Center at the Iowa International Center (formerly Iowa Council for International Understanding) in Des Moines. This center works with the U.S. Department of State and USAID to facilitate visits from hundreds of emerging international leaders each year. Organizations working in international exchange, cultural understanding, or immigrant/refugee services in the Des Moines area may encounter foundation leadership through events and programs hosted by this center.

Known Partnership Organizations: The foundation has established partnerships with specific organizations including:

• William L. Brown Center/Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis)
• World Food Prize Foundation (Des Moines) - The Sehgal Family Foundation is listed as a Hall of Laureates donor
• Iowa International Center (Des Moines)
• University of Iowa (Iowa City) - Multi-year partnership with the India Winterim study abroad program
• India Association of Minnesota

Organizations working in similar areas or sectors as these partner organizations may be more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented as grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Success Rates

According to foundation database records, approximately 12% of new applicants are funded. However, given the invitation-only nature of the foundation, this figure likely represents organizations that successfully cultivated relationships with the foundation rather than formal applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only status.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, success in securing funding depends on relationship building and alignment with the founders' values rather than a formal application process. Key factors include:

Alignment with Founders' Vision: The foundation was established by Dr. Suri Sehgal, who wanted to "counteract the negative effects" of large-scale technology-based agriculture that often excludes small-scale farmers. Organizations addressing similar concerns about equity, sustainability, and support for underserved populations align with this vision.

International Understanding and Cultural Bridge-Building: The founders' stated goal is to "bridge the geographical and cultural gaps between people from different parts of the world" with a focus on "educational opportunity and appreciation for the experiences of immigrants and refugees."

Established Track Record: The foundation collaborates with organizations to "support, strengthen, and expand their excellent work" - suggesting they prefer to fund organizations with proven programs rather than startup initiatives.

Connection to Des Moines/Iowa: While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, there is a clear geographic preference for Iowa-based organizations, particularly those in Des Moines.

Focus Areas: Organizations working in sustainable agriculture, water resources, environmental conservation, international education and exchange, arts and culture, or sports and recreation for underserved youth appear most likely to receive support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only structure: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; relationship building is essential
• Geographic preference: Strong focus on Iowa, particularly Des Moines, though grants extend nationally and internationally
• Values-driven grantmaking: Deeply influenced by founders' backgrounds in agriculture science and commitment to addressing inequity and promoting cross-cultural understanding
• International development focus: Significant portion of grantmaking supports rural development in India through affiliated S M Sehgal Foundation
• Relationship-based: The foundation partners with organizations they know and trust to strengthen existing programs rather than funding new initiatives from unknown organizations
• Wide grant range: Grants range from $1,000 to $2,600,000, with an average of $83,705, suggesting flexibility based on project and relationship
• Network connections: Engagement with partner organizations like the Iowa International Center, World Food Prize Foundation, or University of Iowa may provide opportunities for introduction to foundation leadership

References

• Cause IQ - Sehgal Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sehgal-foundation,421477858/. Accessed January 2026.
• Grantable - Sehgal Foundation Profile. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/sehgal-foundation-us-foundation-421477858. Accessed January 2026.
• GrantExec - Sehgal Foundation. https://grantexec.com/foundations/421477858. Accessed January 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sehgal Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/421477858. Accessed January 2026.
• S M Sehgal Foundation - "A Global Vision Starts at Home." https://www.smsfoundation.org/news/sehgal-foundation-in-the-usa-a-global-vision-starts-at-home/. Accessed January 2026.
• S M Sehgal Foundation - Partners Page. https://www.smsfoundation.org/partners/. Accessed January 2026.
• Iowa International Center - "Who We Are." https://iowainternationalcenter.org/who-we-are/. Accessed January 2026.
• Indiaspora - Suri and Edda Sehgal Profile. https://indiaspora.org/philanthropy-leader/suri-and-edda-sehgal/. Accessed January 2026.
• World Food Prize - Hall of Laureates Donors. https://www.halloflaureates.org/en/about/hall_of_laureates_donors/. Accessed January 2026.
• American Bazaar Online - "Swaminathan made myriad contributions to global agriculture: Suri Sehgal." https://americanbazaaronline.com/2023/10/14/swaminathan-contributions-to-global-agriculture-455308/. Accessed January 2026.