The Salah Foundation

What The Salah Foundation does

The Salah Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2010 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was created and self-funded from the James and Beatrice Salah Charitable Trust as a living tribute to founder James M. Salah and is led by Executive Director Noreen Salah Burpee (his niece), with a family board that includes next-generation members. The foundation's sole product is grantmaking to U.S. non-profit organizations across healthcare and medical research, education and youth development, community development and social services, with secondary focuses on mental health/trauma services, animal welfare, veteran services, anti-trafficking, and arts & culture. Since inception it has distributed more than $80 million to 80+ charitable organizations across at least nine states, operating through a five-step invite-only targeted grant process that culminates in a 12-month progress-report review.

The foundation does not develop technology products and does not generate traditional revenue; its operating model is capital deployment from the underlying trust, with grant sizes ranging from modest community grants to eight-figure named-facility investments. Its largest disclosed commitments include a $10 million investment in the Salah Foundation Children's Hospital at Broward Health (renamed facility), a $10 million expansion of Ranch Hands Rescue's Bob's House of Hope, and multi-year strategic support for H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center's Salah Targeted Expression Panel (STEP) lung cancer diagnostic, which has been used on 1,000+ patient samples since 2021. The foundation's go-to-market is intentionally low-profile: there is no public application funnel, and grant distribution is relationship-driven, with grantees acknowledging support in their own communications and the foundation maintaining a website and newsroom.

The customer base — i.e., the non-profit grantees — is highly diversified across ticket size (from local food pantries to elite medical institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Children's Hospital Colorado, and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute) and geography (Florida, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas, California). Recent 2025-2026 activity signals geographic and vertical expansion, including disaster-relief deployments (LA Eaton Fire, Hurricane Helene) and program expansions (Museum of Discovery and Science's 'A Day in K' doubling to 3,500 children, Holy Cross Health's Heart Failure Clinic renovation producing a 13% readmission rate vs. 23% national average). The foundation has received industry recognition including the 2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor (Noreen Salah Burpee), a 2013 Congressional Record entry by Rep. Lois Frankel, the 2019 American Cancer Society Celebration Gala Legacy Impact Award, and the 2020 Outstanding Foundation Honoree designation from the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Broward County.

Name

The Salah Foundation

Legal name

The Salah Foundation

Website

https://salahfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Salah Foundation is a Fort Lauderdale-based private philanthropic foundation founded in 2010 and self-funded from the James and Beatrice Salah Charitable Trust. It distributes grants to U.S. non-profit organizations across healthcare, education, community development, and social services, having given away over $80 million to 80+ grantees since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Philanthropic Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAL

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPADAOAB

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors)

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

Keywords

• Private foundation grants
• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Nonprofit funding programs
• Humanitarian grant funding
• Community impact grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Salah Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that provides grants and strategic investments to U.S. non-profit organizations working in health, education, community development, and human services. It operates an invite-only, five-step targeted grant process including site visits, proposal briefs, grant applications, and 12-month progress reporting. Since 2010, the foundation has distributed over $80 million to more than 80 charitable organizations across at least nine states.

Product overview

The Salah Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation, not a technology product company. It does not offer software products, platforms, or digital services. The Foundation's sole purpose is to provide grants and strategic investments to non-profit organizations in the United States that strengthen families and communities. The Foundation supports organizations focused on education, medical research, community development, and self-sufficiency programs for the economically disadvantaged, young, elderly, and disabled populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Targeted Grant Program An invite-only, five-step grantmaking service for U.S. non-profit organizations working in health, education, community development, and human services. Includes initial interview/site visit, proposal brief/pre-funding form, grant application review (with 990 status, audited financials, and P&L statements), grant award/decline decision, and a 12-month progress report requirement. Encompasses both standard program grants and major strategic capital investments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $80 million distributed to non-profits since 2010
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to develop the Salah Targeted Expression Panel (STEP), an advanced molecular diagnostic tool for lung cancer. The foundation's support enabled the development and validation of this precision medicine tool, which has been used on over 1,000 patient samples since 2021. This partnership exemplifies translational research moving from laboratory to clinical application.
• UCSF Weill Institute for NeurosciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding support for Multiple Sclerosis research aimed at validating biological markers for remyelination - measuring the body's ability to repair nerve damage. Partnership accelerates progress toward MS treatment breakthroughs through the Weill Institute's integrated research and clinical approach.
• Broward Health Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner$10 million investment for renovation and expansion of children's hospital resulting in naming rights (Salah Foundation Children's Hospital). Investment included private neonatal pediatric ICU units and pediatric suites designed to be kid-friendly and family-centered.
• Holy Cross HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor grant funding heart failure clinic renovation including five exam rooms, cardiopulmonary exercise lab, consultation spaces, and ADA-compliant facilities. Supported hiring of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Contributed to achieving 13% readmission rate vs 23% national average.
• United Way Broward CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Project Lifeline - countywide food-access initiative distributing approximately 85,000 pounds of nutritious food monthly through 30 partner pantries and rapid-response Pop-Up distributions. Addresses food insecurity for families, seniors, and veterans.
• Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor investment expanding A Day in K kindergarten readiness program from one night to two nights, doubling capacity from 2,000 to 3,500 children and caregivers. Program offers hands-on learning, school-readiness resources, health screenings, and keeps event free for families.
• Massachusetts General HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch support for neurological conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, helping patients inspire medical breakthroughs.
• Mayo ClinicmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Mayo Clinic's clinical practice, education, and research initiatives providing expert whole-person care.
• New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for accelerating precision medicine through AI-driven stem cell research to develop treatments and cures.
• Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransformational support for orthopaedic research dedicated to keeping people active through innovative treatments.
• Ranch Hands Rescue - Bob's House of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding expansion to serve missing and exploited youth ages 14-17 while continuing to serve survivors ages 18-24. Supports 90-day stabilization program providing shelter, meals, medical/dental care, education, job readiness, and case management.
• Global Down Syndrome FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for saving and transforming lives of people with Down syndrome through research and care programs.
• Bascom Palmer Eye InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for novel imaging approaches in ophthalmology and eye care research.
• Children's Hospital ColoradomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy programs led by Dr. Michael Verneris.
• Moffitt Cancer CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLung Cancer Diagnostic Testing Program supporting improved cancer treatment outcomes.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Kresge Foundation: The Kresge Foundation is a large US private foundation supporting health, education, community development, and human services through grants. Comparable as a similarly structured private foundation operating across the same cause areas with a national US grantmaking footprint.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the largest US philanthropy dedicated to health and healthcare. Comparable as a US health-focused private foundation making transformational grants to hospitals and medical research institutions including clinical impact programs.
• The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation: The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation is a US private family foundation funding education, science, and the arts. Comparable as a US private family foundation with similar multi-generational stewardship and emphasis on transformational, high-impact grantmaking.
• The Helmsley Charitable Trust: The Helmsley Charitable Trust is a major US private family foundation with significant health and medical research grantmaking. Comparable as a similarly structured family-controlled foundation funding healthcare, medical research, and human services programs nationally.

Direct peers

• The Barr Foundation: The Barr Foundation is a US private family foundation making grants in education, climate, and arts & culture. Comparable as a US private family foundation with similar mid-scale grantmaking across health, education, and community-based initiatives.
• Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is a US private family foundation supporting health, housing, education, and human services for vulnerable populations. Comparable as a mid-sized US private family foundation with similar horizontal portfolio across healthcare, community services, and education.

Regional players

• American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society is a US health-focused nonprofit funding cancer research, patient support, and advocacy with national scope. Comparable as a cancer-research grantmaking entity that has formally recognized The Salah Foundation for cancer-related contributions, operating in overlapping cause areas.

Emerging players

• The Susan G. Komen Foundation: Susan G. Komen Foundation is a US health-focused nonprofit funding breast cancer research, treatment, and patient support. Comparable as a US grantmaking organization funding cancer research, hospital programs, and patient services with measurable clinical impact outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Salah Foundation