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Non-profit

Alavi Foundation

Website:

alavifoundation.us/
Location:

New York, NY
Tax ID:

23-7345978
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2018):

Assets: $51,329,073
Type:

Private Foundation
Formation:

1973
President:

Hooshang Amirahmadi, Ph.D.
Budget (2022):

Income: $2,100,811
Expenses: $6,002,256
Assets: $60,771,199

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Alavi Foundation is a private foundation that was founded in Iran in 1973. It operates across the United States and has been accused of being tied to the Iranian government since the Islamic Revolution overthrew the Shah in 1979. 1 It has donated $50 million since its founding, including to non-Muslim organizations like the Catholic University of America. 2

History

Alavi Foundation was founded in 1973 as the Pahlavi Foundation under the Shah-led Iranian government. When the Shah was overthrown in 1979, the new government (which became a leading opponent of U.S. Middle East policies and funds terrorist groups that fight against the U.S. military and its allies) allegedly turned the charity organization into a front group with a new name. 3 4

The Foundation was under U.S. government investigations in the 2000s, and the government alleged that control of one of Alavi’s major American-based assets has been under direct Iranian government control since 1991. 5 Alavi has denied the government’s allegations of ties to the Iranian government. However, its former president was indicted and later convicted for destroying documents ahead of an investigation related to those alleged ties and potential tax evasion. 6 7

Initiatives

The Alavi Foundation claims to be a cultural center which directly and indirectly provides education about Persian and Islamic language and culture. 8 It donated $50 million from its founding through 2014, including to non-Muslim groups such as the Clinton Foundation, to which it sent $30,000; Action Against Hunger, to which it sent $500,000; New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund, to which it sent $100,000; Harvard University, which received over $600,000; and the Catholic University of America, which received $375,000. 9 10

Alavi also funds weekend Persian seminars and student grants, and supports the work of Muslim groups that hold events and provide Islamic instruction. 11

The U.S. government has been investigating Alavi since at least 2003. 12 One of those investigations resulted in the indictment and conviction of Alavi’s then-president, Farshid Jahedi, for destroying documents requested by the government. He was sentenced to three months in prison and fined $3,000. 13

In 2009, the federal government attempted to seize several Alavi properties, including those with mosques on them. 14 The most significant of those properties, a building worth as much as $1 billion in New York City in which Alavi had a controlling interest, was intended to be used for paying victims of Iranian-backed terrorism. While a settlement was declared in 2014, and a jury ruled in the government’s favor in 2017, the ruling was overturned on appeal due to errors at the trial level. 15 16 17

Leadership

Hamid Yazdi was listed as Alavi’s president in 2022. 18

Financials

In 2023, the Alavi Foundation earned $2,100,811 in revenue and incurred $6,002,256 in expenses. The Foundation had $60,771,199 in assets at the end of the 2023 fiscal year. 19 In 2022, Alavi earned $30,201,673 in revenue, incurred $13,491,349 in expenses, and ended the year with $64,468,510 in assets. 20

Over one-sixth of Alavi’s 2023 expenses were paid out to the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, which also had represented its interests in the New York City building case. 21 22

References

  1. “Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces History Jury Verdict Finding Forfeiture Of Midtown Office Building and Other Properties.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. June 29, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/acting-manhattan-us-attorney-announces-historic-jury-verdict-finding-forfeiture-midtown
  2. “Donations to Non-Islamic Organizations.” Alavi Foundation. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://alavifoundation.us/financial/donations-to-non-islamic-organizations/
  3. Michael B. Farrell. “What’s known about Iran-linked Alavi Foundation?” Christian Science Monitor. November 14, 2009. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/1114/p02s10-usgn.html
  4. “Mission Statement.” The Alavi Foundation, May 24, 2017. https://alavifoundation.us/mission/.
  5. [1] “Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces History Jury Verdict Finding Forfeiture Of Midtown Office Building and Other Properties.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. June 29, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/acting-manhattan-us-attorney-announces-historic-jury-verdict-finding-forfeiture-midtown
  6. [1] Michael B. Farrell. “What’s known about Iran-linked Alavi Foundation?” Christian Science Monitor. November 14, 2009. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/1114/p02s10-usgn.html
  7. “Former President of Alavi Foundation Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 3 Months for Obstructing Justice.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. April 29, 2010. Accessed March 6, 2024. jahedifarshidsentencingpr.pdf (justice.gov)
  8. “Alavi Foundation in Focus.” Alavi Foundation. July 2016. Accessed March 6, 2024. http://alavifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/History-of-Alavi-Foundation-2016.pdf
  9. [1] “Mission Statement.” Alavi Foundation. Accessed March 6, 2024. Mission Statement – The Alavi Foundation
  10. “Donations to Non-Islamic Organizations.” Alavi Foundation. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://alavifoundation.us/financial/donations-to-non-islamic-organizations/
  11. “Alavi Foundation in Focus.” Alavi Foundation. July 2016. Accessed March 6, 2024. http://alavifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/History-of-Alavi-Foundation-2016.pdf
  12. Michael B. Farrell. “What’s known about Iran-linked Alavi Foundation?” Christian Science Monitor. November 14, 2009. Accessed March 6, 2024. What’s known about Iran-linked Alavi Foundation? – CSMonitor.com
  13. “Former President of Alavi Foundation Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 3 Months for Obstructing Justice.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. April 29, 2010. Accessed March 6, 2024. jahedifarshidsentencingpr.pdf (justice.gov)
  14. Benjamin Weiser. “U.S. Moves to Seize Properties Tied to Iran.” New York Times. November 12, 2009. Accessed March 6, 2024.  https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/nyregion/13seize.html
  15. “Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement Relating to Iranian-Owned Manhattan Office Tower That Will Provide Recovery To Terrorism Victims.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. April 17, 2014. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-settlement-relating-iranian-owned-manhattan-office
  16. “Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces History Jury Verdict Finding Forfeiture Of Midtown Office Building and Other Properties.” Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. June 29, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/acting-manhattan-us-attorney-announces-historic-jury-verdict-finding-forfeiture-midtown
  17. “Federal Court Overturns Ruling to Seize Iran-Linked Skyscraper in Manhattan.” Radio Farda. August 10, 2019. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://en.radiofarda.com/a/federal-court-of-appeal-overturns-ruling-to-seize-iran-linked-skyscraper-in-manhattan/30102929.html
  18. “Alavi Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Form 990. 2022. Accessed March 7, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237345978/202300889349100225/full
  19. “Alavi Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Form 990. 2023. Accessed March 7, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237345978/202323259349100402/full
  20. “Alavi Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Form 990. 2022. Accessed March 7, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237345978/202300889349100225/full
  21. “Alavi Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. Form 990. 2023. Accessed March 7, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237345978/202323259349100402/full
  22. “Opening brief for Alavi and 650 Fifth Avenue Company,” Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP. April 20, 2018. Accessed March 8, 2024.  2018.04.20-DE-171-Opening-Brief-for-Alavi-and-650-Fifth-Ave.-Co.pdf (gjassets.com)
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: March - February
  • Tax Exemption Received: January 1, 1974

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2018 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $51,329,073 $27,832 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2015 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $54,449,290 $820,780 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $46,747,457 $467,633 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2013 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $38,768,720 $485,086 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2012 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $37,517,576 $260,837 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2011 Mar Form PF $0 $0 $39,373,895 $291,340 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Alavi Foundation

    650 5th Avenue, Suite 1101
    New York, NY 10019