Activist Foundation Inc
Activist Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in West Hollywood, California. It funds advocates and initiatives that protect vulnerable communities and the environment. Its website describes it as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Activist Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Activist Foundation Inc gave $56K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $56,098
- -34.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,675
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,750
- Total assets
- $137,384
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (34% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Activist Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8500 Melrose Ave 200, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 556-9000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Activist Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Akichita Youth Athletic Academy Inc ($10K). Together the top 10 received $55K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 40 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, California received 34%, Colorado 23%, North Dakota 18%, New York 11%, and Utah 9%. The listed grants also included recipients in Florida and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Activist Foundation Inc gives
- 25% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 3200% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2021) to $191K (2020). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $56K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Akichita Youth Athletic Academy Inc Fort Yates, ND | The contribution was given to the organization to help empowering native youth through free athletic programs and tournaments. | $10,000 |
| Music Sustainability Alliance Los Angeles, CA | The contribution was given to the organization to empower the music industry to learn, innovate, and collaborate in advancing sustainability and climate action across all sectors of the music business. | $10,000 |
| Last Prisoner Project Denver, CO | The contribution was given to the organization to help reforming our criminal justice system through progressive drug policy. | $6,848 |
| Conscious Allience Broomfield, CO | The contribution was given to the organization to end hunger and reduce food waste by distributing healthy food to communities in need | $6,000 |
| Sundance Institute Park City, UT | The contribution was given to the organization to foster new voices in American storytelling and championing independent stories for the screen. | $5,250 |
| Save the Music Foundation New York, NY | The contribution was given to the organization to help students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through making music and deliver music education. | $5,000 |
| Do It for the Love Oakland, CA | The contribution was given to the organization exclusively focused on inspiring hope and healing through the power of music | $4,500 |
| Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund Santa Rosa, CA | The contribution was given to the organization to help supporting the preservation of sacred medicines by empowring indegenous communities to protect their culture and heritage. | $4,000 |
| Micheal-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center Inc North Miami Beach, FL | The contribution was given to the organization to help enrich jewish life and the broader community through inclusive programs in education, wellness, culture, and leadership for all ages. | $2,000 |
| Daniel's Music Foundation New York, NY | The contribution was given to the organization to create more inclusive society by using music to empower with disabilities | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $137,384 | $83,599 | $88,519 | $56,098 | 12 | $56,098 | $748 |
| 2023 | $118,926 | $123,500 | $96,829 | $85,104 | 16 | $85,104 | — |
| 2022 | $42,969 | — | $27,025 | $27,000 | 3 | $27,000 | — |
| 2021 | $31,341 | — | $1,770 | $1,700 | 2 | $1,700 | $535 |
| 2020 | $11,513 | $182,580 | $191,067 | $190,980 | 7 | — | $1,179 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Activist Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $748 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it was formed to fund advocates and initiatives that protect vulnerable communities and the environment. Its 2024 grants included organizations working in music education and access, criminal justice reform, Indigenous cultural and environmental resilience, food distribution, independent storytelling, and support for people affected by job loss after fires.
Grantee descriptions give more detail about some of this work. Last Prisoner Project says it focuses on cannabis criminal justice reform, including release, record clearance, and reentry. Save the Music Foundation says it helps children, schools, and communities reach their potential through making music. Do It for the Love describes itself as a wish-granting organization bringing people with serious illnesses, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live concerts. Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund says it is an Indigenous-led philanthropic vehicle supporting Indigenous communities and alliances in response to cultural appropriation, environmental extractivism, human rights violations, and climate change. Daniel’s Music Foundation says it provides an environment for people of all abilities to enjoy, learn, and practice music together. One Voice says it provides goods and services to underprivileged people in the Los Angeles area.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $56,098. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $10,000, with a median of $4,750.
Its largest reported grants included $10,000 to Akichita Youth Athletic Academy Inc. for programs and tournaments for Native youth, and $10,000 to Music Sustainability Alliance for sustainability and climate action in the music industry. Other notable grants were $6,848 to Last Prisoner Project, $6,000 to Conscious Alliance, $5,250 to Sundance Institute, $5,000 to Save the Music Foundation, $4,500 to Do It for the Love, and $4,000 to Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Greg Suess and Bernard Cahill as directors.
Activist Foundation Inc's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bernard Cahill
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Suess
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Activist Foundation Inc
How much does Activist Foundation Inc give each year?
Activist Foundation Inc gave $56K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $85K across 16 grants.
What is Activist Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Activist Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $4,750, and its average grant was $4,675, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Activist Foundation Inc give grants?
Activist Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (23%) and North Dakota (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Activist Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Activist Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Activist Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Activist Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Akichita Youth Athletic Academy Inc ($10,000), Music Sustainability Alliance ($10,000) and Last Prisoner Project ($6,848), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Activist Foundation Inc?
Activist Foundation Inc reported $137K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $56K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $748 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Activist Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that it was formed to fund advocates and initiatives that protect vulnerable communities and the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Activist Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Activist Foundation Inc's EIN?
Activist Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2271993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Activist Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Activist Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/activist-foundation-inc-morg_18b12b11d2aa44aca68f840e332f8dc7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_842271993_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Activist Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/activist-foundation-inc-morg_18b12b11d2aa44aca68f840e332f8dc7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Activist Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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