American Himalayan Foundation

What American Himalayan Foundation does

The American Himalayan Foundation (AHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, dedicated to delivering humanitarian programs to Sherpas, Tibetans, Lobas, and Nepalis across the Himalayan region spanning Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet/China. It operates a portfolio of six core programs: Healthcare (including funding for the Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children [HRDC], Khunde Hospital, and community health clinics), Education (books, uniforms, supplies, and scholarships), STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT) in partnership with Rural Health and Education Services Trust [RHEST], Upper Mustang support for the Loba people, Sherpas and Everest community support, and Protecting Wildlife (tiger and snow leopard conservation). The foundation reports reaching over 300,000 beneficiaries annually and has supported HRDC in healing more than 100,000 children with orthopedic conditions, including a documented 95% ten-year success rate on clubfoot correction.

AHF's business model is donation-philanthropy based: revenue is generated through individual donations across preset giving tiers ($20 to $1,000+), monthly recurring gifts, stock transfers, planned/legacy giving, and partner-driven fundraisers, channeled through a direct-to-consumer fundraising motion supported by an annual dinner, content marketing, social media, email, earned media, and music collaborations. Distribution of services is executed through a network of long-standing strategic implementing partners rather than direct field staffing, allowing the organization to leverage a small US-based team (11–50 employees) against substantial on-the-ground impact. The organization holds Charity Navigator Four Star and GuideStar Gold Participant designations, and is governed by a board chaired by Richard Blum with President Norbu Tenzing (son of Tenzing Norgay) and Director of Operations Sarah Beckhaus.

Name

American Himalayan Foundation

Legal name

American Himalayan Foundation

Website

https://himalayan-foundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Himalayan Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco that delivers healthcare, education, anti-trafficking, cultural preservation, and wildlife conservation programs to Sherpas, Tibetans, and Nepalis across the Himalayan region through local implementing partners, serving over 300,000 beneficiaries annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Aid Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Global Public Health Aid Administration (Government Donors) (HLAJALAO), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Nonprofit charitable programs
• Community healthcare initiatives
• Education access programs
• Wildlife conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation raises funds through individual donations via its website, including one-time and monthly giving options. Donors can give online, by mail, stock transfers, or through legacy/planned giving.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The American Himalayan Foundation is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that raises charitable donations from individuals and deploys those funds through trusted local partners to deliver programs in healthcare, education, anti-trafficking, cultural preservation, and wildlife conservation across Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Tibet. Its core deliverables include the Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (HRDC), the STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT) initiative, Upper Mustang support, Sherpa community programs, and wildlife conservation partnerships, along with an online donation platform that accepts one-time, monthly, stock, and legacy gifts.

Product overview

American Himalayan Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization offering a portfolio of humanitarian programs addressing healthcare, education, trafficking prevention, cultural preservation, and wildlife conservation across the Himalayan region. The core programs include: Healthcare (clinics and HRDC hospital), Education, STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT), Upper Mustang, Sherpas and Everest, and Protecting Wildlife. The organization also operates a donation platform for supporters to contribute to these initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT): A program to prevent trafficking of girls at risk by keeping them safe in school through partnerships with RHEST.

Products and services

• Healthcare Program Builds and supports health clinics, funds health workers, and supplies medicines to bring affordable care to poor, off-the-grid communities across the Himalaya; serves Sherpas, Tibetans, and Nepalis living in remote regions.
• Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (HRDC) A pediatric orthopedic hospital near Kathmandu that treats clubfoot, spinal conditions, and other disabilities using methods including the Ponseti technique; treats nearly 600 clubfoot cases a year with a 95% ten-year success rate, serving disabled children in Nepal.
• Education Program Provides books, uniforms, supplies, and scholarships to students in Himalayan communities whose access to education is limited by caste, gender, disability, or poverty; transforms lives through school enrollment support.
• STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT) Prevention program that keeps at-risk girls in rural Nepal safe in school to prevent trafficking, early marriage, and exploitation, providing school fees, supplies, uniforms, and mentorship through Friday Class teachers via partner RHEST; has helped more than 24,000 girls and currently serves 12,000 across over 500 schools.
• Upper Mustang Program Provides health, education, and cultural preservation support to the Loba people of the high alpine desert of northwestern Nepal, including Tibetan language and culture classes to keep ancient traditions alive across generations.
• Sherpas and Everest Program Long-term partnership with Sherpa communities in the Everest region providing healthcare (including doctor visits at Khunde Hospital), education, and climate resilience support to help the community adapt to new high-altitude challenges.
• Protecting Wildlife Program Wildlife conservation program that protects tigers and snow leopards across the Himalaya through community-based anti-poaching efforts, habitat protection, feral dog vaccination clinics, and engagement of local youth, in partnership with the Snow Leopard Conservancy and Fund for The Tiger.
• Online Donation Platform Online donation platform that enables supporters to make one-time or monthly contributions to specific AHF programs, with preset and custom amounts and options for stock gifts, planned/legacy giving, and held fundraisers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of HRDC clubfoot patients maintained corrected foot position for at least 10 years after treatment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Johns Hopkins University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025AHF is funding Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for TB and H. pylori screening projects in Nepal. Project Director Dr. Kunchok Dorjee leads the initiative, which screens children for these prevalent diseases and collects data for future public health interventions.
• Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024AHF partnered with SPCC on disaster preparedness and risk mitigation for Thame and downstream villages following the August 2024 glacial lake outburst flood. The initiative includes early warning systems and community-based emergency preparedness - the first grassroots-driven project of its kind in Nepal.
• Jerry Garcia FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2019Jerry Garcia Foundation released Annapurna's Song album on Only Love Records music label to benefit AHF. The compilation features Himalayan music including tracks by A.R. Rahman and Ani Chöying Drolma. Norbu Tenzing serves as executive director of the project.
• Seven Seas MusicminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2019Seven Seas Music collaborated with Jerry Garcia Foundation on the Annapurna's Song album benefiting AHF. Brooke Wentz serves as the compilation's producer.
• Rural Health and Education Services Trust (RHEST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRHEST is AHF's primary partner for the STOP Girl Trafficking (SGT) initiative, led by Dr. Aruna Uprety. RHEST implements SGT across 7 districts in Nepal, keeping girls safe from trafficking through education support, mentorship, and community outreach. The partnership has helped 24,000 girls since inception.
• Hospital and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (HRDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHRDC is one of AHF's largest and most enduring beneficiaries. Founded by Dr. Ashok Banskota near Kathmandu, HRDC has treated over 100,000 children for orthopedic conditions. AHF provides ongoing funding including construction projects and equipment (digital x-ray machine, retaining wall). The hospital is now among the most active clubfoot treatment centers in the world.
• Fund for The TigercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Fund for The Tiger for tiger conservation in Nepal's southern plains. The collaboration has helped nearly double tiger populations from 120 in 2009 to 235 today through community-based anti-poaching efforts and youth engagement.
• Snow Leopard ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Snow Leopard Conservancy to address human-wildlife conflict in Nepal's Annapurna region. The initiative conducts vaccination and animal welfare clinics for feral dogs that threaten snow leopard populations.
• EduliftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdulift organizes eye care camps in Himalayan communities, arranging doctors, equipment, and transportation for elderly patients. AHF's partnership conducts 10 eye camps per year, reaching schools and villages without targeted eye care for over 7 years.
• Child HavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild Haven is a school and shelter for orphans in Kathmandu. AHF supported earthquake-resistant construction and ongoing operations. The organization provides care for 84 children in a loving family environment.
• The North Face (Move Mountains Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe North Face's Move Mountains program, created in memory of Ann Krcik, enabled outdoor education and leadership training for STOP Girl Trafficking alumnae led by Dawa Yangzum Sherpa.
• Khumbu Climbing CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Khumbu Climbing Center, founded by AHF board member Conrad Anker, provides climbing training. Dawa Yangzum Sherpa expressed interest in taking SGT alumnae there for further climbing experience.
• Himalayan Trust NepalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHimalayan Trust Nepal partnered with AHF on Thame flood recovery, delivering immediate relief and laying groundwork for long-term recovery including temporary clinic, school relocation, and tree planting.
• Himalayan Trust New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHimalayan Trust New Zealand partnered with AHF and Himalayan Trust Nepal on Thame flood recovery efforts.
• David Spiegel (University of Pennsylvania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavid Spiegel, professor at University of Pennsylvania medical school and adviser to WHO, has volunteered at HRDC since 1997 and trained the team on Ponseti method in 2004. He has presented over 400 invited lectures and continues to support HRDC research.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Direct Relief: Large humanitarian medical aid organization providing medicines, supplies, and equipment to healthcare facilities. Comparable in delivering healthcare support to underserved populations via trusted local partners.
• Heifer International: Large international development nonprofit funding livestock, agriculture, and income programs in similar geographies (including Nepal). Comparable donor-funded model serving Himalayan/rural communities but with broader agricultural scope.
• Mercy Corps: Large international humanitarian NGO that, like AHF, delivers emergency relief (earthquake, pandemic, flood response) and long-term development across South Asia using trusted in-country partner networks.
• Partners In Health: Major global health nonprofit providing hospital-level care in low-income settings, including pediatric and orthopedic services. Highly comparable as a donor-funded organization building lasting healthcare institutions in resource-constrained environments.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Large global conservation organization that funds tiger and snow leopard protection programs across the Himalaya via partners like WWF-Nepal. Operates in adjacent wildlife conservation space with comparable species and community engagement model.
• Room to Read: International education nonprofit operating in Nepal with comparable donor-funded school-based education programs targeting vulnerable children, particularly girls. Overlaps on the SGT and education program model.

Direct peers

• dZi Foundation: US-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in remote Himalayan communities of Nepal through education, health, and income programs. Operates with a similar grantmaking-via-local-partners model targeting comparable beneficiaries.
• Snow Leopard Trust: Leading snow leopard conservation nonprofit working in the same high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems where AHF operates. Directly comparable wildlife conservation scope and community-based approach.
• Himalayan Trust (New Zealand): Founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, operates schools, health clinics, and infrastructure across the same Sherpa communities as AHF, including co-partnering on Thame flood recovery. Near-perfect operational and geographic overlap.

Emerging players

• Seva Foundation: US-based nonprofit focused on restoring sight and providing eye care in low-income communities globally, including Himalayan/Tibetan regions. Comparable healthcare-plus-cultural-preservation approach via AHF's Edulift eye camps partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HimFdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/HimFdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/HimalayanFdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-himalayan-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Himalayan Foundation