Gemm Foundation
Gemm Foundation is a private foundation, based in Malibu, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $60K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $36K. Net investment income was $37K.
Key facts about Gemm Foundation
In short: Gemm Foundation gave $36K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 99-1872153
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $36,250
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- Average grant
- $7,250
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $60,330
- Primary geography
- Colorado (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$60K
+38.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$36K
+1108.3% YoY
Grant Count
5
+150.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+383.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gemm Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How Gemm Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 674% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2024) to $36K (2025). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $36K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Koto FM Radio ($20K). Together the top 5 received $36K.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 7 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Koto FM Radio Telluride, CO | Domestic Needs | $20,000 |
| Seas of Trees Telluride, CO | Environment | $10,000 |
| Telluride Jewish Community Telluride, CO | Religious | $4,500 |
| The Nightscout Foundation Littleton, CO | Domestic Needs | $1,000 |
| JDRF New York, NY | Domestic Needs | $750 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $60,330 | $43,480 |
| Revenue | $464,196 | $59,521 |
| Expenses | $39,161 | $3,000 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $36,250 | $3,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $36,700 | $7,428 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,381 | $552 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Gemm Foundation is led by Joanna Measer Kanow, CEO on every filing since 2024; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joanna Measer Kanow
CEO
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Kanow
CFO & Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 Gemm Foundation
How much does Gemm Foundation give each year?
Gemm Foundation gave $36K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3K across 2 grants.
What is Gemm Foundation's typical grant size?
Gemm Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,500, and its average grant was $7,250, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Gemm Foundation give grants?
Gemm Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Telluride, CO (3 grants).
Does Gemm Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Gemm Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Domestic Needs" (3 grants).
Who are Gemm Foundation's largest grantees?
Gemm Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Koto FM Radio ($20,000), Seas of Trees ($10,000) and Telluride Jewish Community ($4,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gemm Foundation?
Gemm Foundation reported $60K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $36K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Gemm Foundation's EIN?
Gemm Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-1872153. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching Gemm Foundation by hand.
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