← Back to US Funders Directory

Satya And Rao Remala Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $939,953 (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: $60 - $500,000
  • Geographic Focus: Washington State, India, and select national organizations

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1998 by Rao Remala, Microsoft's first Indian employee and 29th hire, and his wife Satya, the Satya and Rao Remala Foundation manages over $20 million in assets and distributes nearly $1 million annually in grants. Inspired by Rao's humble beginnings in rural India and Satya's family's tradition of community service, the foundation works to break generational cycles of poverty through strategic investments in education, health, and community support. The foundation has awarded 807 individual grants totaling $7,598,720 since 2014, supporting 66 organizations in 2023 alone, with a particular focus on underserved communities in Washington State and India.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through invitation-only grants across three core areas:

  • Education Grants: $60 - $500,000 (Supporting STEM programs, university scholarships, educator development)
  • Health Grants: Variable amounts (From basic healthcare to cancer research initiatives)
  • Community Support: Variable amounts (Homelessness services, job training, social services)

Priority Areas

  • Educational equity and STEM education in underserved communities
  • Healthcare access and medical research, particularly in India and Washington
  • Services for people experiencing homelessness and economic hardship
  • Support for women and immigrants, particularly South Asian communities
  • Early childhood development and youth programs
  • Environmental conservation in Washington State

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals or requests
  • Organizations outside their established network
  • Individual requests (focus is on organizational support)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by founders Rao and Satya Remala, with day-to-day operations managed by their daughters:

  • Srilata Remala: Director of Health Initiatives
  • Srilakshmi Remala: Director of Education Programs

Rao Remala's background as one of the lead developers of Windows 1.0 and 2.0, and his 21-year Microsoft career working directly with Bill Gates, informs the foundation's strategic, technology-minded approach to philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. According to their website: "We make grants by invitation only. We currently do not accept or respond to unsolicited funding proposals or requests."

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and personal networks
  • Pre-existing relationships with organizations
  • Referrals from current grantees
  • Strategic identification by foundation leadership

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally on the foundation's timeline

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, organizations cannot apply directly. However, based on their giving patterns:

  • Alignment with founders' story: Organizations addressing poverty through education and health resonate strongly, particularly those serving Indian and South Asian communities
  • Washington State presence: Strong preference for organizations based in or serving Washington communities, especially Bellevue and Seattle area
  • Proven track record: The foundation supports both established institutions (University of Washington, Seattle Children's Hospital) and effective grassroots organizations
  • Focus on equity: Clear preference for organizations serving communities of color and addressing systemic inequities
  • Dual impact model: Programs that serve both local (Washington) and international (India) communities align with foundation priorities
  • STEM education focus: Given Rao's technology background, STEM education programs receive significant support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - this foundation only makes grants by invitation, so traditional grant writing approaches don't apply • Relationship building is essential - connections through existing grantees, community partners, or shared networks are the only paths to funding • Strong geographic focus - prioritizes Washington State (especially Bellevue/Seattle) and India-focused organizations • Family-led with clear priorities - daughters manage specific portfolios (health and education), suggesting specialized expertise in grant decisions • Significant capacity - with $20M+ in assets and nearly $1M in annual giving across 66 organizations, they maintain diverse partnerships • Values-aligned giving - foundation strongly reflects founders' personal journey from rural poverty to tech success

References

← Back to US Funders Directory