Carina Initiatives Inc is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2020 and based in Torrance, California. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designated as a private grantmaking foundation. Carina works to build what it describes as "the country's first cohesive math talent system" by investing in organizations that inspire, identify, accelerate, and enrich extraordinary young mathematical talent across the United States.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "Send more kids from more communities to the frontiers of science and technology."
Core Thesis: Carina operates from the belief that America is leaving enormous innovation potential on the table by neglecting high-ability students, particularly from low- and middle-income backgrounds. The foundation notes that early mathematical ability strongly predicts future innovation, yet decades of neglect—including cuts to gifted programs, elimination of acceleration tracks, and discontinuation of NSF talent programs—have left most high-ability American students without adequate support. The foundation estimates that among students with exceptional early math ability, invention rates vary nearly 20-fold depending on the resources they receive.
Funding Areas: Carina organizes its grantmaking around four core program areas:
- Inspire: Bringing thinking games and recreational mathematics to more homes and classrooms to spark early interest in mathematical thinking
- Identify: Ensuring all students are screened for mathematical talent and developing new assessments that predict future success in science and technology
- Accelerate: Ensuring every high-ability student has access to accelerated mathematics programs that take them deeper into mathematics more quickly
- Enrich: Providing enrichment opportunities for top math students
The foundation also funds policy and research that amplify these core areas and select international efforts to build math talent systems.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
of approximately $280,000.
Grant Types
How to Apply
** The foundation primarily discovers potential partners through networking and referrals. Cold outreach typically will not receive a response.
Ready to take the next step with Carina Initiatives Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Carina's grantmaking focuses primarily on the United States, with select international efforts. Recent grantmaking has concentrated in California, Massachusetts, and New York, though the foundation describes its geographic focus as national with select international efforts.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2024:
- Total Assets: $31.1 million
- Total Revenue: $19.1 million
- Total Expenses: $12.7 million
- Net Income: $6.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $656,000
As of Fiscal Year Ending November 2023:
- Total Assets: $25.1 million
- Total Revenue: $20.3 million
- Total Expenses: $10.5 million
- Total Grants, Contributions: $18.5 million
- Investment Income and Dividends: $689,775
The organization has demonstrated significant growth in assets and revenue between 2023 and 2024.
No financial data available.
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Carina Initiatives Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Josh Taylor – President
- Jean Chin – Lead, Enrich
- Melissa Vitek (MV) – Chief Operating Officer
- Tife Oye – Lead, Inspire & Identify
The foundation operates as a small team of six employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSH TAYLOR | PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
| JENNIFER REYNOSO | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| MELISSA VITEK | TREASURER | 40 | $220,731 |
| FRED TAYLOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN TAYLOR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JACOB TAYLOR | DIRECTOR TO DEC 12, 2022 | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: https://www.carina.fund
- Email: partnership@carina.fund
- Address: 990 W 190th St Suite 530, Torrance, CA 90502
- Tax-Exempt Status: Since October 2020
- EIN: 85-0909048
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Carina Initiatives Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities