Shah Family Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Shah Family Foundation supports innovative and transformative work in education, healthcare and the community.
IP TAKE: The foundation’s grantmaking is centered in Boston, and is particularly interested in testing innovative solutions.
PROFILE: Established in 2017, the Shah Family Foundation was launched by billionaire couple Niraj and Jill Shah. Niraj is co-founder and CEO of online home goods retailer Wayfair. Jill, an entrepreneur, serves as president of the foundation. Niraj Shah graduated with a B.S. in engineering from Cornell University in 1995. He cofounded an IT and web services company called Spinners with fellow billionaire and Cornellian Steve Conine. In 2002, the duo went on to co-found online home goods retailer Wayfair. Shah serves as CEO. Jill Shah graduated from Providence College with a B.A. in English in 1991. She’s worked as an entrepreneur, in business development and sales, including as co-founder of SoLUXE, a network marketing retailer.
Grants for Education
The foundation states that it invests in “smart, creative, thoughtful people, doing innovative and transformative work.” In education, grantees have included Boston Schools Fund, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Teacher Passion Project, and Snowden High School. The foundation also helped pay fo “My Way Cafe” kitchens ,serving fresh food to several public schools in Boston.
Grants for Health
The couple have supported places like Massachusetts General Hospital. Other grantees have included Christopher's Haven, which deals with cancer.
Grants for Community Development
The Shahs have supported the Esplanade Association, which “works to restore and enhance Boston's Charles River Esplanade and to activate this historic riverfront park,” and Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Other grantees have included No Kids Hunger, as well as other food organizations the couple supported during the coronavirus pandemic.
Important Grant Details:
In a recent year, the foundation spent around $1.1 million. Past grantees include Boston Schools Fund, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Christopher's Haven, and No Kids Hunger.
The foundation’s website does not detail grantmaking procedures.
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