Ahimsa Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $71,720,000 (2023)
Total Assets: $938 million+
Grant Range: $360,000 - $17,000,000+ (based on recent awards)
Number of Awards: 4 grants (2023)
Geographic Focus: National (U.S.)
Application Type: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Website: www.ahimsafdn.org
Location: Niwot, CO
EIN: 85-2700743

Overview

The Ahimsa Foundation is a private foundation based in Niwot, Colorado, established to support organizations working to transition the food system away from animal proteins to healthier and more sustainable options. With assets exceeding $938 million, it represents one of the most significant sources of funding in the animal welfare and alternative protein space. Founded on the principle of "ahimsa" (nonviolence), the foundation focuses on addressing violence in the food system through strategic investments and grants to organizations developing plant-based and cultivated meat alternatives, animal sanctuaries, and initiatives that promote removing animals from the food system. The foundation operates through both grant-making and direct investments in alternative protein companies.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Focus Areas

The Ahimsa Foundation supports initiatives in several key areas:

Alternative Protein Development: Significant support for companies and organizations developing plant-based and cultivated meat alternatives. Recent major investments include $16 million to Eat Just (plant-based eggs and cultivated chicken) and $100 million to Beyond Meat through affiliated entity Unprocessed Foods, LLC.

Animal Sanctuaries: Funding for organizations that provide refuge to farm animals and advocate for vegan/plant-based diets. Example: Gomata received $656,137 to provide sanctuary to cows previously raised for beef while promoting vegan diet advocacy.

Agricultural Transition: Support for projects that convert animal agriculture operations to plant-based alternatives. Example: Arkansas Fungi received $360,397 to convert a chicken-raising operation to sustainable mushroom farming, serving as a model for other farmers.

Ocean Conservation and Seafood Alternatives: Investment in plant-based seafood solutions to address ocean ecosystem decline.

What They Fund

Plant-based and cultivated meat/dairy/egg companies
Organizations removing animals from the food system
Farm animal sanctuaries with advocacy components
Agricultural conversion projects (from animal to plant-based farming)
Research and development in alternative proteins
Animal welfare organizations aligned with vegan/plant-based philosophy

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their mission and grant patterns, they likely do not fund:

Traditional animal agriculture operations
Organizations that do not align with transitioning away from animal products
Pet-related animal welfare (focus is on farm animals and food system)
Wildlife conservation unrelated to food systems

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team (all volunteer, uncompensated):

Shaleen Shah, President: Co-founder and Board President of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. Shah has stated regarding their investments: "Eat Just and its leadership in the industry play a critical part in building a kinder, safer food system." On ocean conservation, he noted: "Our oceans are dying, and the world's demand for fish is the reason. We need an ethical, sustainable, and healthy solution."
Satish Karandikar, Secretary: Principal at both Ahimsa Foundation and VegInvest Trust, described as a major animal welfare donor and investor focused on creating a more humane food system
Jay Karandikar, Treasurer: Board member

The foundation's leadership team brings together philanthropic and investment expertise, with clear commitment to nonviolence and systemic change in how society produces and consumes food.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Ahimsa Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations and companies that align with the foundation's mission of transitioning the food system away from animal proteins. The foundation appears to identify grant recipients through:

Existing networks in the alternative protein and animal welfare sectors
Direct outreach to companies and organizations the trustees identify as aligned with their mission
Strategic investments that may convert to grants or combined grant/investment structures

Getting on Their Radar

Specific to Ahimsa Foundation:

Luvin Arms Connection: President Shaleen Shah is co-founder and Board President of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. Organizations working in similar spaces may benefit from relationships within this network.
Alternative Protein Ecosystem: The foundation is deeply embedded in the alternative protein industry. Presence at industry conferences and events related to plant-based/cultivated meat development may provide indirect exposure to foundation leadership.
VegInvest Trust Relationship: Satish Karandikar's dual role with VegInvest Trust suggests organizations might also explore investment pathways through VegInvest, which shares similar goals with the Ahimsa Foundation.
Track Record of Impact: Recent grants suggest the foundation seeks organizations demonstrating tangible impact in removing animals from food systems - whether through sanctuary work combined with advocacy, agricultural conversion, or alternative protein development.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and small number of annual grants (4 in 2023), decisions appear to be made strategically throughout the year rather than on a fixed cycle.

Grant Size and Structure

Based on 2023 awards, grants range significantly:

Documented awards: $360,397 to $656,137 for sanctuary/agricultural projects
Major investments: $16 million to Eat Just (2023), $100 million to Beyond Meat (2025)

The foundation appears to make both traditional grants and investment-style funding, particularly for alternative protein companies.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, success in receiving funding depends on:

Mission Alignment: The foundation's philosophy centers on "ahimsa" (nonviolence) and specifically addresses violence in the food system. Organizations must demonstrate clear commitment to removing animals from food production or providing sanctuary combined with advocacy for plant-based diets.

Scalability and Model Replication: The Arkansas Fungi grant description specifically mentions serving "as a model for other farmers" - suggesting the foundation values projects that can inspire broader systemic change, not just isolated impact.

Dual Impact: Funded organizations often combine direct animal welfare (sanctuary) with advocacy and education promoting dietary change, or agricultural conversion with demonstration/education components.

Alternative Protein Development: For companies, the foundation seeks those developing commercially viable alternatives to animal products that can meaningfully displace animal protein consumption.

Leadership and Execution: Given the large grant sizes and small number of awards, the foundation appears to invest in organizations with proven leadership and capacity to execute at scale.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process - unsolicited proposals are not accepted; funding relationships must be initiated by the foundation
Very large grant sizes - with only 4 grants totaling over $71 million in 2023, this is a major funder making significant strategic investments rather than many small grants
Focus on systemic change - the foundation seeks projects that model transformation of food systems, not just isolated animal welfare work
Vegan/plant-based philosophy required - all funded work aligns with transitioning away from animal products; this is non-negotiable
Alternative protein companies are a major focus - through both grants and investments, particularly plant-based and cultivated meat/egg/dairy alternatives
Network relationships matter - given invitation-only structure, connections within the alternative protein ecosystem and Colorado animal sanctuary community may be relevant
Patient capital approach - recent major investments in companies like Eat Just and Beyond Meat suggest long-term commitment to organizations advancing their mission

References

Information compiled December 2024