Salehi Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,396,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $400,000
• Geographic Focus: Texas (primary), Colorado, Tennessee

Contact Details

• Address: 300 N Marienfeld Ste 950, Midland, TX 75201
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: No public website

Overview

The Salehi Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2014 by Jeff and DeeAnn Salehi, prominent philanthropists from Midland, Texas. With assets of $28.8 million, the foundation has made 148 grants totaling over $8.8 million since inception. Following the passing of both founders in 2022, their daughter Cameron Salehi Kelly continues their philanthropic legacy as Director. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, focusing on education, human services, and philanthropic causes primarily in Texas, with additional giving in Colorado and Tennessee. The founders lived by the motto "No one can ever become poor by giving," a philosophy that continues to guide the foundation's strategic approach to charitable giving.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides discretionary grants through trustee selection:

• General Charitable Grants: $1,000 - $400,000 (invitation-only basis, supporting preselected organizations)
• Application method: No public application process - grants made to preselected organizations only

Priority Areas

• Education initiatives
• Human services programs
• Philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking foundations
• Community development in West Texas

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only funder, the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Director: Cameron Salehi Kelly - Born in Midland in 1985, she has helped raise nearly $30 million throughout the Midland community and serves on numerous nonprofit boards including Midland Children's Rehabilitation Clinic, Make-A-Wish, Milagros, Trinity School Capital Campaign, and West Texas Food Bank Capital Campaign.

Founders (deceased 2022): Jeff Salehi was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year in November 2021. Both Jeff and DeeAnn came from humble beginnings and were deeply committed to giving back to their community throughout their lives.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Salehi Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations identified and selected by the foundation's leadership.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Cameron Salehi Kelly's extensive board service and community involvement in Midland, organizations may benefit from:

• Cameron serves on boards of Midland Children's Rehabilitation Clinic, Make-A-Wish, Milagros, and West Texas Food Bank - organizations working in similar spaces or partnering with these entities may have visibility
• The foundation has a documented history of supporting organizations where Cameron has board involvement or campaign leadership roles
• Focus on education, human services, and community development initiatives in the Midland/West Texas region aligns with the foundation's giving patterns

Decision Timeline

Grants are made on a discretionary basis throughout the year. The foundation files annual Form 990-PF returns each November documenting the previous year's grant activity.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations are selected by the foundation

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant-making history and leadership involvement:

• The foundation has consistently supported organizations where Cameron Salehi Kelly has board involvement or leadership roles
• Organizations focused on West Texas communities, particularly Midland, receive priority consideration
• The foundation shows preference for established organizations with strong community presence
• Multi-year support is common for organizations that align with the foundation's values - several recipients have received grants over multiple years
• Grant amounts typically range from $25,000 to $100,000 for most recipients, with larger grants up to $400,000 for special initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Salehi Family Foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis with no public application process
• Building relationships with foundation leadership, particularly Director Cameron Salehi Kelly, is essential for consideration
• Focus areas include education, human services, and philanthropy with a strong geographic preference for West Texas
• The foundation maintains strong loyalty to organizations it supports, with many receiving multi-year funding
• Cameron Salehi Kelly's extensive board service provides insight into the types of organizations the foundation values
• With $28.8 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $1 million, the foundation has substantial capacity for impact

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Salehi Family Foundation Form 990-PF Filings." Accessed February 27, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/461586539
• Cause IQ. "Salehi Family Foundation Profile." Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/salehi-family-foundation,461586539/
• Grantmakers.io. "Salehi Family Foundation Grant-Making Profile." Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/461586539-salehi-family-foundation/
• Instrumentl. "Salehi Family Foundation 990 Report." Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/salehi-family-foundation
• Trinity School of Midland. "Cameron Salehi Kelly Biography." Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.trinitymidland.org/list-detail?pk=146343
• Legacy.com. "Jeff Salehi and DeeAnn Salehi Obituaries." 2022.