Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, Indian causes, human services and arts and culture.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. However, tax filings suggest that this foundation sticks with well-established organizations and tends to fund them for a number of years; there is little risk-taking here. Connection to the family or one of the foundation’s past grantees will be necessary here.

PROFILE: Established in 2003, the Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation was launched by real estate mogul Arun Bhatia and his wife, Asmita, a Citigroup veteran. Arun is the founder of Arun Bhatia Development Organization in New York. The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, Indian causes, human services, and arts and culture.

Grants for Education

Education appears to be the foundation’s largest giving area, although it does not articulate specific topics of interest for its education grantmaking. Arun Bhatia supports his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Other education grantees include Columbia University, the Horace Mann School in New York City and Georgetown University, where a grant supported the South Asian Journalists Association Scholarship.

Grants for Global Development

This funder regularly supports organizations involved in education and development in India. Recent grantees include the American India Foundation, the Akanksha Education Fund and Children’s Hope India.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Arts and culture represent a smaller area of giving at this foundation. The Bhatia Foundation does not name specific interests, but appears to prioritize music and historical preservation in New York City. Grantees have included the Metropolitan Opera, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

Grants for Public Health and Diseases

This funder takes a broad approach to its giving for health and diseases. Recently, it has given to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Grants for Housing, Homelessness, Community Development and Food Systems

The Bhatias, through their foundation, give to several organizations that support people of New York City who experience housing and food insecurity. Grantees in these areas include the Bowery Mission, City Harvest, the Children’s Aid Society and the Food Bank of New York City.

Important Grant Details

This funder gave away about $90,000 in grants in a recent year. Grants ranged from $50 to $15,500, with an average grant size of about $2,500. Grantees tend to be large, well-established organizations with strong reputations in New York City or in India. For additional information about past grantmaking, see this funder’s recent tax filings.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Contact information is provided below.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Arun I and Asmita Bhatia Family Foundation
500 W. 43rd St, Apt 39A
New York , NY 10036

(212) 564-1770