Kirchgessner Vision Foundation
Kirchgessner Vision Foundation is a private foundation qualified under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3) located in Sherman Oaks, California. The Foundation was officially established in 1979 to provide vision care to disadvantaged persons. It was named after a great uncle of the anonymous philanthropist who founded it, known publicly as "Mr. K," whose German surname Kirchgessner roughly translates as "churchgoer."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.9M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$694K
-9.2% YoY
Grant Count
23
-17.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+10.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to support tax-exempt organizations in the Greater Los Angeles Region that are actively engaged in the provision of services in the field of vision. The emphasis is on supporting activities in vision care and helping those with sight problems achieve self-sufficiency, with particular focus on economically disadvantaged persons, especially children, the elderly, and the disabled.
The Foundation supports:
- Vision care services and medical services in the field of vision
- General operating support for vision-related organizations
- Specific projects and seed funding for new initiatives
- Limited eye research programs
Grantmaking
Notable 2024 grants include:
Average Grant
amounts typically fall between $150 and $123,000
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation prioritizes organizations located in the Greater Los Angeles Region, which consists of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties. Entities that serve the Greater Los Angeles Region but are headquartered elsewhere may also apply for assistance. Particular attention is given to applicants in the Southern California area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $18,926,681
- Total annual giving: $694,150
- Total revenues: $918,346
- Total expenses: $1,070,088
- Number of employees: 1
Historical Support: The Mobile Eye Clinic, the Stein Eye Institute, and UCLA have received over $8.2 million in support from the Foundation since its inception.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,926,681 | $18,223,646 | $17,507,463 |
| Revenue | $918,346 | $1,265,921 | $1,310,962 |
| Expenses | $1,070,088 | $1,158,222 | $1,031,848 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $953,824 | $1,040,018 | $907,187 |
| Net Investment Income | $722,224 | $1,173,735 | $1,200,953 |
| Distributable Amount | $913,475 | $870,847 | $1,005,387 |
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
149 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Kirchgessner Vision Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL KRAMER | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 10 | $46,500 |
| KATHLEEN MCGRATH KRAMER | VP/TREASURER/SECRETARY | 10 | $71,800 |
| ELIZABETH MURRAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5,000 |
| RALPH BLIQUEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS C LEE MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $2,000 |
| NATALIE FLEMING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHRYN NELSON OD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGELINE NGUYEN MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $3,000 |
| DAYNE CRIST | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
| DR KATHRYN PARSA OD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $3,000 |
| ALYSSA VALLES | DIRECTOR | 1 | $50 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has demonstrated ongoing commitment to vision care initiatives:
Marshall B. Ketchum University received $15,000 from the Foundation to cover children's vision care exam costs
Karl Kirchgessner Foundation Renews Support for $15,000 to Cover Children\u2019\The Foundation awarded a memorial grant of $145,000 to Blind Children's Learning Center
Choroideremia Research Foundation Announces Four New Global Grants to AccelerateThe Foundation continues to collaborate with organizations like the California Community Foundation to support vision-related projects
Choroideremia Research Foundation Announces Four New Global Grants to Accelerate**Historical Research Program:**
From 1998 until 2017, the Foundation administered a research program to fund vision research conducted by promising young scientists affiliated with universities throughout the United States, supported by a Scientific Advisory Board composed of distinguished professors from UCLA and other institutions.
Choroideremia Research Foundation Announces Four New Global Grants to AccelerateContact Information
Address: 14431 Ventura Blvd. #266, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Phone: 818-981-6710 or 310-704-8074
Email: grantscoordinator@kirchgessnerfoundation.org
Website: www.kirchgessnerfoundation.org
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.
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