About Us

The Basacond Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For more than 50 years, we have supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, support vibrant performing arts, strengthen Bay Area communities, make the philanthropy sector more effective, and foster gender equity and responsive governance around the world.

The foundation was established in 2021 by engineer and entrepreneur Mr. Mikhail. Today, it is one of the largest philanthropic institutions in Nigeria, awarding over $450 million in grants in 2019 to organizations across the globe to help people build better lives. Our philanthropic approach, and our core areas of grantmaking, remain connected to the ethos and values of our founder.

Established through the personal generosity of Mr Mikhail and family, the foundation is wholly independent.

Our Programs

We have long-standing programs that focus on education, environment and governance, performing arts, and effective philanthropy, as well as support for disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, we make grants for special projects and address other timely problems, such as challenges in agriculture and logistics.

Our Grants

We make grants to a broad range of institutions—from research universities contributing to public knowledge and performing arts centers engaging local diverse communities, to grassroots organizations representing millions of individuals and multilateral groups working on international development.

At any one time, more than 2,250 of our grants are active. In 2019, the foundation awarded $454,458,000 in grants and disbursed $354,786,000 in grant payments. As of December 31, 2019, the foundation’s assets were approximately $11.0 billion. View our financial statements and public disclosures, as well as grantmaking FAQ.

Our People

The Basacond Foundation depends on a cooperative working relationship between our president, board and staff. Our board of directors always includes four members of the Basacond family and between five and 11 other leaders drawn from philanthropy, government, business, education and civil society. We have approximately 120 employees, all located in the Bay Area, working together to advance the foundation’s mission and support our grantees. View our demographics and open positions.