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Drs Kiran & Pallavi Patel 2017 Foundation For Global Understanding

Annual Giving
$5.2M
000

Drs Kiran & Pallavi Patel 2017 Foundation For Global Understanding

Quick Stats

  • Assets: $281.2 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $5.2 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly - major institutional commitments
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Tampa Bay, Florida; also India and Zambia

Contact Details

Location: Tampa, FL
EIN: 82-3755232
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation (exempt since September 2018)

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and does not publish contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Drs Kiran & Pallavi Patel 2017 Foundation For Global Understanding was established in 2017 by Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, Tampa Bay-area philanthropists with a transformative vision for healthcare and education. With assets of $281.2 million and annual charitable disbursements of $5.2 million (2024), the foundation represents one component of the Patels' extensive philanthropic portfolio, which has exceeded $500 million in total giving over two decades. The foundation's mission focuses on "advancing health care in Florida, and internationally, by educating those who can make a difference, particularly in multicultural and underserved communities." The Patels' philanthropic endeavors have earned Dr. Kiran Patel recognition as Florida Trend Magazine's "Floridian of the Year" for his commitment to giving back to communities in Florida and globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private foundation that funds pre-selected organizations. The foundation does not have publicly available grant programs with specific application cycles or defined grant ranges. Instead, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the board of directors, which includes family members.

2024 Grant Activity: $833,590 distributed through 4 grants
Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion - does not accept unsolicited applications

Priority Areas

Healthcare:

  • Medical education and training facilities
  • Emergency care infrastructure
  • Healthcare access in multicultural and underserved communities
  • International healthcare initiatives (India and Zambia)

Education:

  • Higher education, particularly universities and colleges
  • Medical and health sciences education
  • Early childhood education
  • Educational infrastructure development

Geographic Priorities:

  • Tampa Bay region (primary focus)
  • Florida (statewide)
  • International (India and Zambia)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation:

  • Does not accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Focuses exclusively on pre-selected organizations
  • Concentrates on large-scale institutional projects rather than smaller community grants

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a seven-member board of directors, all serving without compensation:

  • Shilen Patel, President/Director
  • Dr. Sheetal Patel, Vice President, Treasurer, and Director
  • Dr. Kiran Patel, Director (Founder)
  • Dr. Pallavi Patel, Director (Founder)
  • Dr. Sonali K. Judd, Secretary/Director
  • Ana Endres, Director
  • Hitesh John Adhia, Director

Dr. Kiran Patel's Philanthropic Philosophy: "For philanthropy to be successful, it has to be impactful, replicable, scalable, and sustainable." He also emphasizes that "when you do the right things for the right reasons, the right results will follow."

Dr. Patel has stated: "I want to spend a lot of time in philanthropy and primarily in health and education. Because transforming a society or an individual you need education along with health."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grant-making decisions are made by the board of directors based on organizations they have identified and selected, typically through existing relationships or institutional partnerships. The foundation's giving strategy focuses on large-scale commitments to major institutions rather than responding to open grant applications.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made at the discretion of the board to pre-selected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not have an open application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors characterize organizations that have received support:

Alignment with Dr. Patel's Philosophy: Organizations funded by the Patels demonstrate:

  • Impact: Measurable, transformative outcomes in healthcare or education
  • Replicability: Models that can be duplicated in other settings
  • Scalability: Potential for growth and broader reach
  • Sustainability: Long-term viability and enduring benefit to communities

Types of Projects Funded: Based on documented giving patterns across the Patel family foundations:

  • Major institutional commitments: $200 million to Nova Southeastern University for medical school development
  • Healthcare infrastructure: $5 million for emergency department expansion at AdventHealth Carrollwood
  • University programs: $30.5 million to University of South Florida for the Patel College of Global Sustainability
  • Community education: $2.5 million for early-learning centers in underserved Tampa neighborhoods
  • Affordable housing: $171,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County

Key Success Factors:

  • Focus on multicultural and underserved communities
  • Healthcare or education focus areas
  • Located in or serving the Tampa Bay area (or India/Zambia internationally)
  • Large-scale institutional capacity and established track record
  • Alignment with the Patels' vision for transformative, sustainable impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, making it inaccessible to organizations without pre-existing relationships with the board
  • Major institutional focus: Funding typically goes to large-scale projects at universities, hospitals, and established institutions rather than smaller community organizations
  • Family governance: All board members are family members, suggesting close involvement in selecting recipients based on personal connections and strategic vision
  • Healthcare and education priority: All documented giving aligns with advancing healthcare access and educational opportunities, particularly for underserved populations
  • Geographic concentration: Primary focus on Tampa Bay region, with international work limited to India and Zambia
  • Transformational giving model: The Patels' approach emphasizes impact, sustainability, and scalability over numerous small grants
  • Board discretion: With $281.2 million in assets but only $5.2 million in annual disbursements, the foundation appears selective and strategic rather than broad in its giving

References

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