The Kimmy Duong Foundation (Kimmy Foundation Inc.)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $837,500 (2023)
• Number of Awards: 102 (2023)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $3,000 (scholarships); major gifts up to $20 million
• Geographic Focus: Washington DC/Virginia/Maryland region and Southern California
• Foundation Type: Private Foundation
• EIN: 47-3807156

Contact Details

Address: 1761 Business Center Dr., Reston, VA 20190

Phone: 703-598-2910

Email:

• kimmy.duong@thekimmyduongfoundation.org
• thekimmyduongfoundation@gmail.com (for recommendation letters)

Website: https://thekimmyduongfoundation.org

Overview

The Kimmy Duong Foundation was established in 2015 by Kimmy Duong, a Vietnamese refugee who fled Saigon in 1975 with just $30. The foundation's mission is to provide educational and humanitarian support guided by "Giving Back, Paying Forward." Founded with her husband Dr. Long Nguyen (CEO of Pragmatics, Inc.), the foundation has donated $25 million to universities between 2018-2025, including a transformational $20 million gift to George Mason University in 2025. The foundation has awarded over 218 scholarships since 2018, growing from 12 annual awards to 102 in 2023. Kimmy Duong received the Mason Medal from George Mason University in 2023 for her philanthropic leadership.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Undergraduate Scholarship Program (DC/VA/MD)

• $1,000 (Silver), $2,000 (Gold), or $3,000 (Diamond) annually
• Renewable for up to 4 years
• Online portal, deadlines: January 31 (prior recipients), March 27 (new applicants)

The Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Undergraduate Scholarship Program (Southern California)

• $1,000 - $3,000 annually
• Renewable for up to 4 years
• Vietnamese American students only

Welfare Hardship Program

• $500 or $1,000 per family
• Maximum 20 grants/month
• Rolling applications before 15th of each month

Major Institutional Grants

• $1 million - $20 million endowments
• Recent: $20M to George Mason (2025), $2M to University of Maryland

Priority Areas

• Undergraduate education
• Vietnamese American community support
• STEM education
• Economic hardship relief
• Leadership development

What They Don't Fund

• Graduate programs
• Students from Vietnamese Government/Communist Party families
• Students outside age 17-30
• Students not at partner institutions

Governance and Leadership

Kimmy Duong, Founder & President: Vietnamese refugee (1975), former CFO of Pragmatics, Inc. Her motto: "giving back and paying forward."

Dr. Long Nguyen, Co-supporter: CEO & Founder of Pragmatics, Inc., PhD in Computer Science from Iowa State.

Judges Panel: Includes Mike Bowers (President, Pragmatics), Dr. Huong Nguyen (Montgomery College), and other professionals in medicine, law, and education.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online applications at thekimmyduongfoundation.org

• Prior recipients: December 1 - January 31
• New applicants: December 1 - March 27 (first 250 only)
• Required: Resume, transcripts, personal essay on heritage

Decision Timeline

• Review period: March 30 - June 30
• Award ceremony: July (mandatory attendance)
• Notification via email/phone

Success Rates

Growth from 12 awards (2018) to 102 (2023) Estimated 30-40% success rate for qualified applicants

Reapplication Policy

Prior recipients encouraged to reapply annually Unsuccessful applicants may reapply without waiting period

Application Success Factors

Strong applications demonstrate:

• Heritage pride and cultural knowledge
• Community service record
• Leadership potential
• Financial need authenticity
• Understanding of "Giving Back, Paying Forward"
• Commitment to mandatory meetings and mentorship

Apply early (250-application cap), emphasize personal resilience stories, and prepare for panel interviews.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-focused: Requires ongoing engagement through ceremonies and meetings
• Apply immediately: 250-application cap means early submission critical
• Heritage matters: Deep discussion of cultural identity expected
• Multi-year support: Renewable scholarships for entire undergraduate career
• Beyond academics: Leadership and community service equally important
• Major gift capacity: Demonstrated $1M-$20M institutional giving ability
• Thorough evaluation: 3-4 month review with extensive panel interviews

References

• The Kimmy Duong Foundation official website: https://thekimmyduongfoundation.org
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 47-3807156): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/473807156
• George Mason University News (2025): "School of Computing becomes Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing"
• University of Maryland Today: "50 Years After Fleeing Saigon, Donor Establishes Giving Back Scholarship"
• Montgomery College scholarship documentation
• Accessed: March 2, 2026