The Alavi Foundation's purposes are charitable and philanthropic with an emphasis on education and civic concerns. One of its primary aims is to promote understanding and harmony among people of different religions. Another basic aim of the Foundation is to promote the study of the humanities, arts, and pure and applied sciences. The Foundation gives assistance to public charitable organizations during times of hardship and deprivation caused by war or natural disasters. It also provides financial assistance to not-for-profit organizations that are involved in the teaching of Islamic culture and the Persian language.