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The Amin Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.8M
Grant Range
$6K - $0.2M

The Amin Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $788,319 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $5,988 - $175,000 (based on recent grants)
  • Geographic Focus: San Francisco Bay Area, particularly East Bay

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
555 California Street, 14th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104-1503

Note: No public website, phone, or email available. This foundation operates privately through trustee discretion.

Overview

The Amin Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2022 by the Amin family, led by Tarang Amin (Chairman & CEO of e.l.f. Beauty) and Hirni Amin. With assets of $44.6 million as of 2024, the foundation has experienced remarkable growth from $2 million in 2020. The foundation makes highly selective grants, typically one award per year, ranging from $5,988 to $175,000. Operating as a traditional family foundation, they focus on causes where family members are personally involved, particularly in food security, youth development, and education in the San Francisco Bay Area. The foundation emphasizes hands-on volunteering alongside financial giving and teaching philanthropic values to the next generation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants through trustee decisions, typically one grant per year.

Priority Areas

Based on the family's documented involvement and interests:

  • Food Security & Hunger Relief - Strong connection to Alameda County Community Food Bank
  • Youth Development - Boy Scouts of America, children's programs
  • Education - Youth education and teaching philanthropy
  • Social Justice - Civil liberties and diversity initiatives
  • Community Development - Bay Area community organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their personal network
  • Unsolicited proposals
  • Organizations outside the Bay Area
  • For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

President: Hirni T. Amin
Treasurer and Secretary: Tarang P. Amin

Tarang Amin serves as Chairman & CEO of e.l.f. Beauty and sits on boards including the Alameda County Community Food Bank and Piedmont Council for the Boy Scouts of America. He is also an Advisory Board Member of the Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Hirni Amin is active in community service and focuses on teaching philanthropic values to children. In a 2008 interview, she stated: "I just enjoyed it because I'm teaching my kids too... that this is something that they should do."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations where family members have personal involvement or board service. The foundation makes approximately one grant per year based on family priorities and relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's operating model, the most viable paths for connection are:

  • Organizations where Tarang or Hirni Amin serve on boards (Alameda County Community Food Bank, Boy Scouts Piedmont Council)
  • Introduction through Duke University's Fuqua School of Business network where Tarang serves as an advisory board member
  • Participation in Bay Area food security or youth development initiatives where the family is actively involved
  • Connection through e.l.f. Beauty's corporate social responsibility initiatives

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal timeline.

Success Rates

The foundation makes approximately 1 grant award per year. Success rates for unsolicited applications are effectively zero as they do not accept them.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of their grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Given this foundation's private operating model, traditional application success factors don't apply. Instead, organizations should focus on:

  • Board-level connections: The strongest path is through organizations where Amin family members serve on boards
  • Geographic alignment: Focus on San Francisco Bay Area, particularly East Bay/Alameda County
  • Mission alignment: Demonstrate clear connection to food security, youth development, or education
  • Personal engagement: The family values hands-on involvement and volunteering alongside financial support
  • Values alignment: Emphasis on teaching next generation, sustainable practices, and community service

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation with no public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
  • Makes only 1 grant per year through trustee discretion
  • Best prospects are organizations in Bay Area where family members are actively involved
  • Focus areas include food security (particularly Alameda County Community Food Bank), Boy Scouts, and youth education
  • Foundation has grown significantly (2000% asset growth in 4 years) suggesting potential for larger future grants
  • Connection through Tarang Amin's professional network (e.l.f. Beauty, Duke Fuqua) may be more effective than cold outreach
  • Family emphasizes hands-on volunteering and teaching philanthropic values to children

References

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