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Siriwan Singhasiri And Kenneth Lin Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.7M
Grant Range
$2K - $1.0M
Success Rate
12%

Siriwan Singhasiri And Kenneth Lin Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.7 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: 12% of new applicants funded historically
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,000,000
  • Average Grant: $410,000
  • Total Assets: $184.8 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: National (multiple U.S. states with emphasis on California and Nevada)

Contact Details

The foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Based in Palo Alto, California.

EIN: 85-4367685

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not have a public application process. Contact information is not publicly available.

Overview

The Siriwan Singhasiri And Kenneth Lin Foundation was established in 2020 and received 501(c)(3) designation in June 2021. Founded by Kenneth Lin (founder of Credit Karma, acquired by Intuit for $8.1 billion in 2020) and his spouse Siriwan Singhasiri, the foundation manages $184.8 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation distributed $6.7 million in charitable grants in 2024 across 17 organizations. The foundation focuses primarily on education equity, humanitarian relief, and promoting opportunity and upward mobility for underserved communities. Kenneth Lin's personal journey as an immigrant from China who arrived in the U.S. at age four and became a first-generation college student directly informs the foundation's commitment to assisting underserved groups facing similar challenges. Both founders are alumni of Eldorado High School in Clark County School District, Nevada, which influences their ongoing support for public education initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking without formal grant programs or application cycles. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the co-presidents.

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

Education Equity & Access

  • Public education support (K-12)
  • College access and affordability programs
  • Educational enrichment for at-risk youth
  • Educator professional development

Humanitarian Relief

  • International humanitarian crises
  • Disaster response and recovery
  • Support for vulnerable populations

Youth Development

  • Programs serving at-risk youth
  • Community-based youth organizations
  • Educational promise programs

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

Major grants awarded include:

  • UNICEF USA: $1,000,000 (humanitarian relief in Gaza)
  • Palestine Children's Relief Fund: $1,000,000
  • Clark County Public Education Foundation (Nevada): $734,500
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada: $500,000
  • Center for Disaster Philanthropy: $500,000
  • Oakland Promise (California): $250,000

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states including California, Nevada, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Particular emphasis on:

  • Nevada (especially Las Vegas/Clark County - where the founders grew up)
  • California (especially Bay Area - where the foundation is based)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose explicit exclusions, but grantmaking history shows focused support on education and humanitarian causes rather than arts, environment, or other sectors.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Kenneth Lin - Co-President/Secretary (serves without compensation)

  • Founder of Credit Karma (acquired by Intuit for $8.1 billion in 2020)
  • Emigrated from Guangzhou, China to Las Vegas at age 4 in 1980
  • First-generation college student; double major in mathematics and economics from Boston University (CAS'98)
  • Member of Boston University Board of Trustees (joined 2021)
  • Henry Crown Fellow, The Aspen Institute (2018)
  • Alumni of Eldorado High School, Clark County School District
  • Named 2026 CCSD Alumni of the Year by Public Education Foundation

Siriwan Singhasiri - Co-President/Treasurer (serves without compensation)

  • Known as "Serrie"
  • Kenneth Lin's spouse and steadfast partner in philanthropic initiatives
  • Alumni of Eldorado High School, Clark County School District
  • Named 2026 CCSD Alumni of the Year by Public Education Foundation

Tom Van Loben Sels - Assistant Secretary (serves without compensation)

  • Extensive foundation leadership experience
  • President Emeritus of Wallace A. Gerbode Foundation (led for 35+ years)
  • Chair of Audit Committee, van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation

Leadership Philosophy

Kenneth Lin operates from a principle of optimism and affirmative possibility. He has stated: "Education is a great equalizer, and education takes many forms." This philosophy drives the foundation's focus on educational access and equity.

Lin's commitment to philanthropy stems from his personal experience: "It literally takes 100 yesses to build something," reflecting his understanding that opportunities require support systems and champions.

The couple actively participates in community initiatives focused on "promoting opportunity and upward mobility for future generations," directly aligning with Lin's journey from immigrant child to successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion and strategic giving decisions made by the co-presidents, Kenneth Lin and Siriwan Singhasiri.

According to nonprofit databases, while the foundation shows as "open to new applicants," this appears to refer to their willingness to consider new organizations rather than indicating a formal application portal. The 12% historical funding rate for new applicants suggests most grants go to organizations already known to the trustees.

How Grants Are Typically Awarded

The foundation appears to identify grantees through:

  • Personal connections: Organizations in communities where the founders have lived (Las Vegas, Bay Area)
  • Board member networks: Tom Van Loben Sels brings extensive foundation sector connections
  • Direct engagement: The founders actively participate in education-focused events and initiatives
  • Strategic giving: Large-scale grants to established organizations addressing urgent humanitarian needs

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking patterns suggest specific pathways for potential alignment:

Nevada/Las Vegas Education Organizations: The founders are Eldorado High School alumni and have demonstrated sustained commitment to Clark County public education through major gifts to the Public Education Foundation. Organizations working on K-12 education equity in Nevada, particularly those supporting at-risk students or educator development, align with their documented priorities.

Bay Area Education & Youth Development: With the foundation based in Palo Alto and significant grants to Oakland Promise and Oakland Public Education Fund in past years, Bay Area organizations focused on college access, educational promise programs, and youth development have clear relevance.

Existing Foundation Networks: Tom Van Loben Sels serves on boards of multiple foundations and brings 35+ years of foundation leadership. Organizations that have relationships with Wallace A. Gerbode Foundation, van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation, Stupski Foundation, Stewart R. Mott Foundation, or Cow Hollow Foundation may have indirect connection opportunities.

Public Education Events: The founders have been honored at and supported the Public Education Foundation's Golden Apple Gala and Black Girl Magic Juneteenth Jubilee Luncheon, demonstrating engagement with education-sector convenings and recognition events.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than competitive application, traditional "success factors" differ from public grantmakers. However, the foundation's giving patterns reveal clear priorities:

Alignment with Founders' Personal Journey

The foundation prioritizes organizations that address barriers similar to those Kenneth Lin faced:

  • First-generation college student support: Lin benefited from financial aid at Boston University and now serves on their Board of Trustees
  • Immigrant community support: As someone who emigrated from China at age 4, Lin focuses on "assisting underserved groups facing similar challenges"
  • Public education quality: Both founders attended Clark County public schools and consistently support public education improvement

Geographic Connections

Strong preference for communities with personal ties:

  • Las Vegas/Clark County (where they grew up): $734,500 to Clark County Public Education Foundation, $500,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
  • Bay Area (where they live): $250,000 to Oakland Promise
  • These geographic connections appear more important than simply "operating nationally"

Scale and Established Impact

Recent grants show preference for:

  • Established organizations: Major grants went to UNICEF, national youth development organizations, and established education funds
  • Significant impact: Average grant of $410,000 suggests preference for substantial investments rather than small grants
  • Urgent humanitarian needs: $2 million in 2024 went to Gaza humanitarian relief

Education Equity Focus

Nearly all education grants support:

  • At-risk youth and students facing barriers
  • Public school improvement (not private school support)
  • College access and affordability
  • Educator support and professional development

Quotes and Documented Priorities

Kenneth Lin has explicitly stated that "education is a great equalizer, and education takes many forms" - suggesting openness to various educational approaches beyond traditional schooling, including youth development programs, educator training, and college access initiatives.

The couple's stated commitment to "promoting opportunity and upward mobility for future generations" directly reflects their grantmaking toward organizations that create pathways for underserved youth.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation awards grants through trustee discretion based on their strategic priorities and personal connections
  • Geographic connections matter significantly - strongest alignment for Nevada/Las Vegas and Bay Area organizations, particularly those in communities where the founders lived
  • Education equity is the core focus - particularly K-12 public education, at-risk youth support, and college access programs
  • Large grant sizes - with an average grant of $410,000, this foundation makes substantial investments rather than small grants; they awarded only 17 grants totaling $6.7 million in 2024
  • Founders' personal story drives giving - Kenneth Lin's journey from Chinese immigrant to first-generation college student to billionaire entrepreneur directly informs priorities around supporting underserved communities facing similar barriers
  • Humanitarian responsiveness - demonstrated willingness to make major emergency grants (e.g., $2 million for Gaza relief in 2024)
  • Foundation sector networks - Tom Van Loben Sels brings extensive connections; organizations known to other Bay Area foundations where he serves may have indirect pathways to consideration

References

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