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Burkehaven Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,946,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $310,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New England, some national

Contact Details

  • Email Domain: burkefoundation.org
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Address: 1834 Centre St 589, West Roxbury, MA 02132
  • Note: No public website or application portal

Overview

The Burkehaven Family Foundation, established in July 2019, is a private grantmaking foundation with over $31 million in assets that distributed nearly $3 million in charitable grants in 2024. Under the leadership of President Irfan Alibhai, a former nonprofit executive with extensive experience at organizations like GreenLight Fund and Teach for America, the foundation focuses on innovative, systemic solutions to social problems. The foundation has grown rapidly from 10 grants in its founding year to 176 grants in 2024, demonstrating a commitment to expanding its philanthropic impact across New England and beyond. With a philosophy centered on addressing basic human rights—including food security, healthcare access, education, and equity—the foundation seeks organizations that tackle root causes rather than symptoms of social challenges.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants ranging from $500 to $310,000, with recent major grants including:

  • General Charitable Support: Up to $300,000
  • Multi-year capacity building grants: $150,000 over two years
  • Healthcare equipment matching gifts: $50,000 - $100,000
  • All grants are made through trustee discretion to preselected organizations

Priority Areas

  • Food security and food waste reduction
  • Healthcare access and equipment
  • Education initiatives
  • Women's economic empowerment
  • Human services addressing basic needs
  • Innovative solutions to systemic social problems
  • Philanthropy and volunteerism infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant applications
  • Emergency or immediate-need requests
  • Single-service programs without systemic impact
  • Organizations outside their research network

Governance and Leadership

Irfan Alibhai - President (Full-time, compensated)

  • Former Director of Finance and Operations at GreenLight Fund
  • Former Director of Planning and Analysis at Teach for America
  • MEd from Harvard University, MBA from Queen's University
  • Board member of GreenLight Fund and Spoonfuls
  • "We have a deep sense of responsibility to recognize our privilege and use what we have for the betterment of others"

Carol Wallace - Vice President

Michael Jewczyn - Secretary/Treasurer

Alibhai brings extensive nonprofit sector experience and a strong belief in addressing systemic problems: "Resources exist but they aren't being deployed to where they are needed. We look for smart, elegant solutions that work."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's own research and existing relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on documented patterns, organizations have been identified through:

  • The foundation's active research into innovative solutions (they discovered Spoonfuls through researching food waste solutions)
  • Professional networks, particularly through GreenLight Fund connections where President Alibhai serves as board member
  • Long-term relationship building—the foundation had a 6-year relationship with Spoonfuls before Alibhai joined their board
  • Demonstrating measurable impact in addressing systemic social problems in New England

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without formal application cycles

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations are selected by the foundation

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, success factors focus on visibility and alignment:

  • Demonstrate innovative, systemic solutions: President Alibhai specifically seeks "innovative solutions that tied the problems of food insecurity and food wastage" and values "logistical and supply chain solutions"
  • Focus on resource deployment inefficiencies: The foundation believes "resources exist but they aren't being deployed to where they are needed"
  • Show measurable multiplier effects: As stated by Alibhai, "as people are less food insecure they are more able to work, study, and have a better quality of life"
  • Build visibility in New England nonprofit community: Most funded organizations operate in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Connecticut
  • Align with basic human rights framework: The foundation prioritizes "food, water, education, mental and physical health care, justice, and equity"
  • Consider matching gift opportunities: The foundation has used matching gifts to amplify community fundraising campaigns

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Do not send unsolicited proposals—the foundation explicitly does not accept them
  • The foundation has grown rapidly, from 10 grants in 2019 to 176 in 2024, suggesting expanding research capacity
  • Focus on building visibility for innovative, systemic solutions rather than direct outreach
  • President Alibhai's background at GreenLight Fund and board service suggests strong networks in social innovation
  • Multi-year general operating support is available for the right organizations ($150,000-$300,000 range)
  • The foundation values long-term relationships—Spoonfuls relationship developed over 6 years
  • Geographic focus is primarily New England, but national organizations addressing systemic issues also receive support

References

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