AAM Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9,126,965 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: California (USA) and India

Contact Details

United States Office:

• Address: 7110 Redwood Blvd Suite A, Novato, CA 94945
• Phone: (415) 898-9528
• Website: www.feaindia.org

India Office:

• Address: Valmiki Temple 1, Vasant Gaon Near C8/8 Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057
• Phone: +91 1126153809
• Email: siddharth.mittal@feaindia.org

Overview

AAM Foundation is a private foundation based in Novato, California, established in 2000 and registered under IRS section 501(c)(3). With total assets of approximately $55.9 million and annual revenue of $25.8 million, the foundation contributed $9,126,965 in grants during 2023. The foundation's mission centers on "advancing young people from poverty to empowerment," with education and poverty alleviation as its primary charitable activities.

The foundation operates with both a U.S. entity (EIN 98-6099880) and an India entity approved under sections 80G and 12A(5)(vi) of the Income Tax Act 1961. Its strategic approach focuses on addressing the critical gap in employable skills among disadvantaged youth in India, where poor quality education leaves many college graduates unemployable in professional positions and trapped in cycles of poverty.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

AAM Foundation operates as a private foundation that primarily supports educational initiatives focused on employability skills for disadvantaged youth in India. The foundation made 4 awards in 2023, 2 awards in 2022, and 2 awards in 2021. Over the last fiscal year, the foundation awarded $6,638,200 in support to 2 organizations.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Education and literacy programs for disadvantaged youth
• Professional English instruction and oral communication skills
• Employability skills development and job-oriented training
• Non-cognitive skill development (critical thinking, problem-solving)
• Poverty alleviation through education and employment preparation
• Youth from economically weaker sections of society in India

Key Initiative: The foundation's flagship program is Freedom English Academy (FEA), which operates more than 1,000 training centers in poorer parts of North India. The program provides:

• Free one-year intensive coaching for professional jobs
• Professional English instruction to build comfort, confidence, and competence in oral communication
• Development of critical thinking skills
• Self-reliance and positive habits of mind
• Community-building and strategies for contributing to the greater good

The program has reached more than 500,000 students to date, with over 75,000 young adults currently receiving training annually.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's focus is clearly concentrated on education and employability programs for disadvantaged youth in India, particularly through the Freedom English Academy model.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (2023):

• Deepak Chopra - President and CEO (part-time, uncompensated)
• Sandeep Chopra - Trustee and CFO (uncompensated)
• Deepmala Chopra - Trustee, Treasurer, CFO, and Secretary (part-time, uncompensated)
• Pradeep Jain - Trustee (uncompensated)
• Prativa Bhutia - Trustee (uncompensated)

According to publicly available information, Deepak Chopra and Deepmala Chopra serve as the primary leadership for the foundation, with all trustees working without compensation, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing resources for programmatic impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

AAM Foundation does not have a publicly documented application process for unsolicited grant requests. The foundation operates as a private foundation that appears to identify and support specific organizations aligned with its mission of providing employability education to disadvantaged youth in India.

The foundation's grantmaking has been relatively concentrated, with 2-4 awards made per year in recent years, suggesting a strategic approach to identifying partners rather than accepting open applications.

Getting on Their Radar

While specific strategies are not publicly documented, organizations working in the following areas may be of interest to the foundation:

• Large-scale educational programs serving disadvantaged youth in India
• Programs focused on English language instruction and professional communication skills
• Employability and job skills training for economically weaker sections of society
• Organizations with demonstrated capacity to serve thousands of beneficiaries
• Programs operating in North India, particularly in the 8 states where FEA currently operates

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. With only 2-4 awards made per year, the foundation appears to make strategic grant decisions rather than operating on a fixed application cycle.

Success Rates

Not publicly documented due to the absence of a formal application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented due to the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the concentrated nature of AAM Foundation's grantmaking and focus on Freedom English Academy, the following factors appear most relevant:

Mission Alignment:

• Programs must directly address employability gaps for disadvantaged youth
• Focus on breaking cycles of poverty through education and job skills
• Emphasis on professional English communication skills
• Development of both cognitive and non-cognitive skills

Scale and Impact:

• The foundation's primary grantee, Freedom English Academy, serves over 75,000 students annually across 1,000+ centers
• Demonstrates preference for programs with significant reach and scalable models

Geographic Focus:

• Strong preference for programs serving youth in India, particularly North India
• Some funding to California-based organizations

Problem Statement: The foundation is motivated by the understanding that "the quality of education available to youth from low income backgrounds in India is woeful and vast numbers of them, including college graduates, are unemployable in professional positions. Many will end up being under-employed for their working lives. Few break the cycle of poverty."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Open Application Process: AAM Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation identifies strategic partners aligned with its specific mission of youth employability in India.
• Highly Focused Grantmaking: With only 2-4 awards per year totaling approximately $6-9 million, the foundation supports a small number of organizations with significant grants rather than many small grants.
• India-Focused Mission: The overwhelming majority of funding supports programs serving disadvantaged youth in India, particularly those addressing English language skills and professional employability.
• Scale Matters: The foundation's flagship program (Freedom English Academy) serves over 75,000 students annually, suggesting preference for organizations with capacity for large-scale impact.
• Long-Term Partnership Model: The foundation's consistent support of Freedom English Academy indicates a preference for sustained, multi-year partnerships rather than one-time grants.
• Leadership Connection: All trustees serve without compensation, and the Chopra family provides significant leadership, suggesting a hands-on, personally committed approach to philanthropy.

References

• Charity Navigator Profile for AAM Foundation (EIN 98-6099880): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/986099880
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=AAMF001
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Aam Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/aam-foundation
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/aam-foundation-sandeep-chopra-ttee,986099880/
• Freedom English Academy website: https://feaindia.org/
• The Philanthropist article "Creating Pathways Out of Poverty": https://thephilanthropist.org/article/creating-pathways-out-of-poverty-deepak-chopra-s-mission-to-equip-india-s-youth-to-become-productively-employable
• Intellispect Organization Profile: https://www.intellispect.co/organizations/943352261-aam-foundation
• Accessed: February 27, 2026