Semnani Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5,286,341 (2023)
Assets: $113.7 million
Grant Range: $305 - $4,800,000
Median Grant: $10,000
Number of Grants: 53 (2023)
Geographic Focus: Global (23+ countries), with strong emphasis on Utah, Maryland, and District of Columbia
Application Process: Rolling basis (no deadlines)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 11623, Salt Lake City, UT 84147
Phone: 801-321-7725
Website: https://semnanifamilyfoundation.org
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Overview

The Semnani Family Foundation was established in 1993 by Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh, inspired by Khosrow's grandmother Maliheh's humanitarian example. The foundation's first grant aided an HIV-affected orphanage in Romania through CARE International. With assets of $113.7 million and annual giving exceeding $5.2 million, the foundation is driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world. The foundation partners with local organizations to deliver maximum impact efficiently across 23+ countries, including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, and the United States. In 2005, the foundation established roots in Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic, which provides free healthcare to thousands of uninsured Salt Lake City residents. The foundation has provided grants to more than 550 charities and has worked with over 15 different religious and interfaith organizations.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation pursues three core focus areas:

Health: Supporting healthcare access, medical research (including pharmacogenomics), and health services for underserved populations
Education: Improving educational access and opportunities for disadvantaged communities
Disaster Relief: Furnishing prompt relief for vulnerable communities facing survival threats from disease, famine, natural disasters, or conflict

Additional Program Interests

Social issues (poverty, hunger, domestic violence, child abuse, literacy)
Children and women's welfare
Iranian-American issues
Religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue
Clean water access
Housing and infrastructure for disadvantaged communities

What They Fund

The foundation collaborates with diverse religious and secular organizations, including:

Major relief organizations (Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, CARE International)
Local Utah organizations (Family Promise of Ogden, Radiant Foundation, Salt Lake Chamber, National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Interfaith initiatives and houses of worship for immigrant and refugee communities
Healthcare initiatives (Maliheh Free Clinic - their founding initiative)
Research programs (pharmacogenomics research for cancer and Alzheimer's)

Grant Examples

Recent and notable grants include:

Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program: $4,800,000 (2022)
Catholic Relief Services: $250,000 (2022)
HIV-affected orphanage in Romania (first grant through CARE International)
Maliheh Free Clinic operational support (ongoing)
Various grants ranging from $305 to over $4 million

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

Khosrow Semnani (Founder)
Ghazaleh Semnani (Co-founder)
Taymour Semnani
Shirin Kia
Doug White

About the Founder: Khosrow Semnani is a successful businessman and industrialist who emigrated from Iran and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Utah. He was the catalyst for the creation of the Utah Muslim Civic League (UMCL), established to advance the Muslim community's interests in Utah.

Grant-Making Philosophy: According to the foundation's stated approach, they prioritize "direct impact over overhead costs," deliberately avoiding programs with high administrative expenses. The foundation emphasizes ensuring "donations go to the actual costs directly related to the problem being solved" rather than funding administrative operations, rent, utilities, or staffing. They seek to closely monitor grantees to ensure "each dollar spent yields a maximum return."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted as a letter of inquiry (LOI) mailed to:

The Semnani Family Foundation
P.O. Box 11623
Salt Lake City, UT 84147

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no application deadlines, meaning organizations can submit letters of inquiry at any time throughout the year.

The foundation does not provide detailed public guidance on specific application requirements, proposal formats, or required documentation beyond the letter format. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly at 801-321-7725 or through their website for specific submission guidelines.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the rolling application process and the foundation's emphasis on prompt relief for emergency situations, decision times likely vary based on the nature and urgency of the proposal.

Success Rates

With 53 grants awarded in 2023 from annual giving of $5.2 million, the foundation actively supports numerous organizations. However, specific success rates (ratio of applications received to grants awarded) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant-making philosophy, the following factors appear critical for successful applications:

Demonstrate Low Overhead Costs: The foundation explicitly prioritizes "charities and programs that minimize administrative and other indirect costs." Applications should clearly demonstrate fiscal efficiency and show how funds will go directly to program costs rather than administrative expenses.
Show Proven Track Record: The foundation seeks organizations with "a demonstrated record of delivering significant, sustainable, and lasting change." Include specific metrics and evidence of past impact.
Align with Core Focus Areas: Strongest alignment appears to be in health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities. The foundation has particular interest in serving vulnerable populations globally and in Utah.
Emphasize Direct Impact: Applications should focus on measurable outcomes and demonstrate how the grant will create "maximum return" in terms of community impact. Avoid lengthy discussions of operational infrastructure.
Target Underserved Populations: The foundation prioritizes "marginalized or threatened communities" and "society's most vulnerable." Applications should clearly identify the vulnerable population being served.
Consider Interfaith or Cross-Cultural Elements: Given the foundation's significant work in religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue, projects that bridge communities or serve immigrant/refugee populations may have strong alignment.
Address Immediate and Long-Term Needs: The foundation balances "prompt relief" for immediate crises with support for "creative and effective solutions to long-term threats." Applications can address either or both dimensions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Efficiency is paramount: This foundation places exceptional emphasis on low administrative costs and direct program impact. Your budget narrative must clearly demonstrate fiscal responsibility and minimal overhead.
Wide grant range with $10K median: While the foundation has made grants up to $4.8 million, the median grant is $10,000. Tailor your request appropriately to your organization's size and project scope.
Rolling deadlines favor year-round submissions: With no application deadlines, you can submit when your organization is ready rather than rushing to meet a fixed date.
Global and local reach: The foundation supports both international humanitarian work (23+ countries) and local Utah initiatives. Either geographic focus can succeed if aligned with their mission.
Interfaith work is a distinctive priority: The foundation's commitment to religious tolerance and supporting immigrant/refugee faith communities is a unique niche that differentiates them from many other funders.
Track record matters: With 30+ years of grant-making and partnerships with major organizations like Catholic Relief Services and UNICEF, they value established organizations with proven impact metrics.
Personal touch welcomed: The letter of inquiry format and phone contact suggest a more personal, relationship-based approach rather than formal online portals.

References

Accessed: December 27, 2025