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.
Gemm Foundation at a glance
In short: Gemm Foundation gave $36K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $36,250
- +1108.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,250
- +383.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $60,330
- +38.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Gemm Foundation funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with Gemm Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $60,330 | $464,196 | $39,161 | $36,250 | 5 | $36,250 | $36,700 | $5,381 |
| 2024 | $43,480 | $59,521 | $3,000 | $3,000 | 2 | $3,000 | $7,428 | $552 |
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.
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.
Data update history
(2)
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)
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gemm Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation funds nonprofit work in family well-being, education, the environment, and housing, including projects, capacity building, and general support that advance equity and resilient communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; applicants generally must be located in San Diego County and primarily serve county residents. It offers competitive grant opportunities through its online portal, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Gemm Foundation'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.
Gemm Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?