← Back to US Funders Directory

SVS Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $709,000 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $67,050 (based on known grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily state and local level

Contact Details

Address: 13 Shoreside Dr, S Barrington, IL 60010-5310

Website: thesvsfoundation.org

Email: thesvsfoundation@gmail.com

Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The SVS Family Foundation was established in 2022 as a private grantmaking foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Based in South Barrington, Illinois, the foundation is governed by trustees Sejal V. Shah, his wife Ann Shah, and family member Sejal Shah. As of 2024, the foundation holds approximately $30.9 million in total assets and distributed $709,000 in charitable grants during its most recent fiscal year. The foundation operates without paid staff, with all leadership serving in uncompensated roles. Sejal V. Shah serves as CEO of TotalMed Inc. and TotalTek, and has demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy, particularly in education. The foundation's mission centers on supporting charitable activities with a focus on enhancing humanities and STEM education, as well as environmental conservation efforts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The SVS Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation and does not appear to have formally structured grant programs with specific names or tiers. Grants are made through trustee discretion.

Known Grant Range: $1,000 - $67,050

Application Method: No public application process; invitation only or trustee discretion

Priority Areas

Based on available grant history from 2023-2024, the foundation has supported:

  • Higher Education: Support for enhancing facilities and improving student affordability at colleges and universities
  • Environmental Conservation: Funding for plugging orphan oil and gas wells and environmental restoration projects
  • Medical Research: Support for cancer research initiatives
  • Student Support: Grants to students with interests in humanities and STEM fields
  • Book Lending Programs: Educational resource access for students

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made at trustee discretion.

Governance and Leadership

President: Sejal V. Shah

Vice President: Sejal Shah

Secretary: Ann Shah

Treasurer: Jason Beck

All leadership positions are uncompensated according to IRS filings.

About Sejal V. Shah: Sejal V. Shah is the chief executive officer of TotalMed Inc. and TotalTek, staffing companies based in the Chicago area. A 1996 graduate of Ripon College where he earned a degree in economics, Shah has remained actively engaged in educational philanthropy. He was elected to the Ripon College Board of Trustees effective December 2020. Shah has stated that "The biggest way to make an impact on someone's life is through education," reflecting his philanthropic philosophy. He resides in South Barrington, Illinois with his wife Ann and their three children.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The SVS Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded through trustee discretion. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications through an open process. Grants appear to be made to organizations and causes with which the trustees have existing relationships or personal connections.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available, as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than structured application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available. As grants are made through trustee discretion rather than open application, there is no formal reapplication process.

Application Success Factors

Since the SVS Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success in receiving funding depends on:

  • Personal Connections: Grants appear to be made to institutions and causes with which the trustees have existing relationships. For example, Ripon College (Sejal Shah's alma mater) received the largest known grant of $67,050.

  • Mission Alignment: Organizations working in education (particularly higher education affordability), environmental conservation, medical research, and STEM/humanities education align with the foundation's demonstrated priorities.

  • Educational Impact: Given Sejal Shah's stated belief that "the biggest way to make an impact on someone's life is through education," projects demonstrating clear educational outcomes may resonate with the foundation's leadership.

  • Geographic Considerations: While the foundation provides grants at state and local levels, there is no restriction limiting grants to Illinois-based organizations, as evidenced by grants to Ohio State University Foundation and potentially other out-of-state institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The SVS Family Foundation is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications; grants are made through trustee discretion
  • The foundation is relatively new (established 2022) but well-capitalized with approximately $30.9 million in assets
  • Demonstrated funding priorities include higher education affordability, environmental conservation, medical research, and student support in humanities and STEM
  • Personal connections to trustees, particularly through educational institutions, professional networks, or community involvement in South Barrington/Chicago area, may be relevant pathways
  • The largest known grant ($67,050) went to Ripon College, Sejal Shah's alma mater, suggesting alumni connections play a role
  • Grant amounts vary significantly from $1,000 to $67,050, indicating flexibility in funding levels
  • The foundation's leadership values education as the primary vehicle for making an impact on lives

References

← Back to US Funders Directory