Kairos Foundation
Kairos Foundation is a private non-operating foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota (EIN 41-1680791). Established in June 1991, the foundation was created as a way to ensure a family inheritance would make an enduring impact for the common good. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.
Key facts about Kairos Foundation
- EIN
- 41-1680791
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,636
- Grants made (2024)
- 28
- Average grant
- $451
- Median grant
- $125
- New grantees (estimate)
- 61% first-time grantees (17 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kairos Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Kairos Foundation's 28 itemized 2024 grants were Arizona (66%), Minnesota (16%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tucson, AZ (7 grants), St Paul, MN (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Kairos Foundation open to new grantees?
61%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 28 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $382; repeat grants $559. How we count
Medians: $125 first-time, $100 repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Kairos Foundation
- How to evaluate Kairos Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Kairos Foundation with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$13K
+29.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
+55.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$451.286
-17.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses on general charitable purposes with a diversified funding approach. Historical grant descriptions indicate support for organizations working in areas including religious institutions, museums, meditation centers, and social justice initiatives.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$100 (all-time); $125 (FY2024)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Kairos Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has geographically diversified giving across 16 states. Within the United States:
- 37% of funding in Minnesota, with concentrations in St. Paul (71%), Minneapolis (24%), and Eagan (2%)
- Significant funding in Arizona
- Additional support to organizations in California and other states
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 28 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
FY2024 (Most Recent Filing):
- Total Assets: $153,563
- Total Liabilities: $160
- Net Assets: $153,403
- Revenue: $8,461
- Expenses: $15,148
- Net Income: -$6,687
Revenue Sources (FY2024):
- Dividends: $9,470
- Sales of Assets: -$1,009
- Contributions Received: $0
- Interest Revenue: $0
Notable Expenses:
- Charitable Disbursements: $14,647 (96.7% of total expenses)
- Officer Compensation: $0
Historical Giving Trajectory: The foundation has demonstrated 76% growth in annual giving over an 8-year period, indicating expanding philanthropic capacity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Mountain Vista Unitarian Universali ($3,944), Arizona Center for Empowerment ($3,650), Common Ground Meditation Center ($1,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN VISTA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALI Tucson, AZ | UNRESTRICTED | $3,944 |
| ARIZONA CENTER FOR EMPOWERMENT Phoenix, AZ | UNRESTRICTED | $3,650 |
| COMMON GROUND MEDITATION CENTER Minneapolis, MN | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE New York, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| INEQUALITY MEDIA Berkeley, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO St Paul, MN | UNRESTRICTED | $300 |
| THE MORE THAN PROJECT Woodbury, MN | UNRESTRICTED | $207 |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN Washington, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $200 |
| MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM Monterey, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $200 |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION Oakland, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cheri Desmond May — President
- Allen Desmond — Secretary/Treasurer
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheri Desmond May | President | 1 | — |
| Allen Desmond | Secr./Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Barbara Coffin | Director | 1 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In FY2024, 57% of grant recipients (16 of 28) were new grantees, indicating the foundation actively seeks new partnerships to expand impact. The foundation has also supported program-related investments through accounts with intermediary organizations, including early-stage capital for companies advancing charitable purposes in developing countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kairos Foundation fund?
The foundation focuses on general charitable purposes with a diversified funding approach. Historical grant descriptions indicate support for organizations working in areas including religious institutions, museums, meditation centers, and social justice initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Kairos Foundation?
The foundation funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Kairos Foundation make grants?
The foundation has geographically diversified giving across 16 states. Within the United States: • 37% of funding in Minnesota, with concentrations in St. Paul (71%), Minneapolis (24%), and Eagan (2%) • Significant funding in Arizona • Additional support to organizations in California and other states
What size grants does Kairos Foundation award?
In 2024, Kairos Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $13K — an average of about $451.286 per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Kairos Foundation's EIN?
Kairos Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1680791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Kairos Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.