Inspiral Foundation
Inspiral Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pleasanton, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $18K. Net investment income was $1.0M.
Inspiral Foundation at a glance
In short: Inspiral Foundation gave $18K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,769
- +1350.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,538
- +936.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $2,067,497
- +707.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Inspiral Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Unviersity of Wisconsin ($6K). Together the top 7 received $18K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Inspiral Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 292% 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2023) to $18K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $18K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Unviersity of Wisconsin Madison, WI | Donation | $5,519 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Donation | $3,600 |
| Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Stanford Hospital Foundation Stanford, CA | Donation | $2,500 |
| University of California Los Angele Los Angeles, CA | Donation | $2,500 |
| Police Chiefs Association Sacramento, CA | Donation | $100 |
| Coalition for Women's Cancers Southampton, NY | Donation | $50 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,067,497 | $2,606,147 | $109,817 | $17,769 | 7 | $109,772 | $1,006,151 | $37,596 |
| 2023 | $256,158 | $207,216 | $4,943 | $1,225 | 5 | $4,943 | $7,226 | $3,257 |
| 2022 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $6,423 | — | — | $6,423 | — | $205 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Inspiral Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Inspiral Foundation is led by Byron Lai, President on every filing since 2021; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Byron Lai
President
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$20K (2024)
Karen Lai
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Kathleen Lai
Secretary
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$20K (2024)
Aaron Lai
Officer
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
$10K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $20K, to Byron Lai (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Inspiral Foundation
How much does Inspiral Foundation give each year?
Inspiral Foundation gave $18K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1K across 5 grants.
What is Inspiral Foundation's typical grant size?
Inspiral Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,538, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Inspiral Foundation give grants?
Inspiral Foundation's top state is California, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wisconsin (31%) and Pennsylvania (20%).
Does Inspiral Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Inspiral Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (7 grants).
Who are Inspiral Foundation's largest grantees?
Inspiral Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Unviersity of Wisconsin ($5,519), University of California Berkeley ($3,600) and Carnegie Mellon University ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Inspiral Foundation?
Inspiral Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $110K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Inspiral Foundation's EIN?
Inspiral Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2756034. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Inspiral Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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