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Zahara Kathawalla Foundation

EIN 85-1807248 · Minneapolis, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak25 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE ZKF IS TO HONOR ZAHARAS LEGACY BY AWARDING FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR PATH TOWARD PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH BROADENED EXPERIENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THREE INTERSECTING AREAS: EDUCATION, CULTURAL EXPLORATION, AND WELLNESS. FUNDING IS NEED-BASED.

Income
$230,247
Spending
$27,241
Spent on programs
43%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $4,000 spent. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL GRANTS TO SUPPORT YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS INCLUDED ONGOING FUNDING FOR THE ZAHARA KATHAWALLA SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINMADISON BUSINESS SCHOOL, OFFERING NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS. ADDITIONALLY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BE THAT NEIGHBOR, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH VOICE LESSONS AT MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC.
  2. $4,000 spent. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED CULTURAL AWARENESS AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT BY FUNDING STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE ZAHARA KATHAWALLA MEMORIAL FUND FOR GLOBAL STUDIES AT THE BLAKE SCHOOL PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS TO JOIN SCHOOL- SPONSORED GLOBAL PROGRAMS. THE ZAHARA KATHAWALLA FOUNDATION PROVIDED A SCHOLARSHIP TO A STUDENT AT THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA WHO IS STUDYING ABROAD AND RECEIVING AN ASIAN CONCENTRATION. THESE GRANTS ENABLED STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO ACCESS IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES.
  3. $3,599 spent. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCED YOUTH WELLNESS BY FUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AND MINDFULNESS PROGRAMS. THROUGH THE ZAHARA SUNFLOWER PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARK NICOLLETS NOW PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION FUNDED A YEAR OF TELEHEALTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ADOLESCENTS WITHOUT FINANCIAL MEANS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED ITS ZS YOGI TEACHER TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP, AWARDING TWO INDIVIDUALS FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COMPLETE YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY IN WELLNESS SPACES.
  4. $12 spent. OTHER ITEMS NOT RELATED TO THE 3 PRIMARY DESCRIPTION
  5. OTHER ITEMS NOT RELATED TO THE 3 PRIMARY DESCRIPTION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.