Semnani Family Foundation Grant

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993 by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, is a private philanthropic organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Inspired by Khosrow Semnani's grandmother, Maliheh, and driven by a commitment to human welfare, the foundation began its philanthropic work with an initial grant to a Romanian orphanage impacted by the HIV crisis. Over time, its operations expanded from urgent humanitarian relief to sustainable development projects focused on health, education, and disaster recovery. The foundation's mission is threefold: to deliver immediate assistance to marginalized and vulnerable populations impacted by emergencies such as war, disease, and natural disasters; to support long-term solutions through education, civic engagement, and scientific research; and to serve as a model for philanthropic responsibility, encouraging others to contribute according to their means. This vision informs the foundation’s strategic priorities and hands-on partnerships with both global and local organizations. Its operations span numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, England, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, the United States, and Yemen. These projects target areas suffering from health disparities, educational access challenges, and immediate humanitarian crises. Examples of impact include funding COVID-19 and measles vaccination campaigns, supporting leprosy treatment in India, and advancing pharmacogenomic research to tailor medications for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Domestically, the foundation operates the Maliheh Free Clinic, launched in 2005 to serve uninsured residents of the Salt Lake City area. This initiative exemplifies the foundation’s belief in cost-effective, high-impact interventions that avoid administrative overhead and direct resources to areas of highest need. This principle guides their grantmaking decisions; the foundation routinely declines to fund programs with excessive indirect costs and instead chooses efficient partners with verifiable impact. The Semnani Family Foundation accepts funding requests on a rolling basis through informal contact rather than a formal application portal. Organizations or individuals interested in support are invited to reach out via the contact page or email to begin a conversation about partnership. This flexible process allows the foundation to respond quickly to emergent needs and invest in impactful solutions across its areas of focus. Inquiries should be directed to info@semnanifamilyfoundation.org or by phone at 801-680-0540. The foundation’s office is located at 630 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84102. As no fixed deadline or application format is provided, potential applicants are encouraged to prepare a clear outline of their initiative and demonstrate alignment with the foundation’s mission and impact-oriented philosophy.