Knowledge Systems Institute
Knowledge Systems Institute is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Skokie, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $124K. Net investment income was $75K.
Knowledge Systems Institute at a glance
In short: Knowledge Systems Institute gave $124K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), top state Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $124,000
- -15.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,778
- -15.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $4,156,338
- -2.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (24% 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 Knowledge Systems Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rodale Institute ($30K). Together the top 9 received $124K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 27 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Knowledge Systems Institute gives
- In 2024 it paid out 62% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $124K (2024) to $187K (2022). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $124K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $30,000 |
| Girlstart Austin, TX | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $20,000 |
| Science Club for Girls Cambridge, MA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $20,000 |
| Sierra Nevada Journeys Reno, NV | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $20,000 |
| Camfed USA Foundation San Francisco, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $15,000 |
| Science 4 Girls Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $6,000 |
| Ecological Farming Association Santa Cruz, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $5,000 |
| Grizzly Corps - Uc Berkeley Foundation Berkeley, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $5,000 |
| STEM Like a Girl Portland, OR | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $3,000 |
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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 | $4,156,338 | $199,570 | $272,658 | $124,000 | 9 | $136,895 | $75,380 | $221,560 |
| 2023 | $4,242,677 | $784,337 | $410,209 | $147,500 | 9 | $237,005 | $590,735 | $191,593 |
| 2022 | $3,946,978 | $220,040 | $499,389 | $186,570 | 9 | — | $216,665 | — |
| 2021 | $4,784,252 | $332,546 | $409,609 | — | — | — | $240,271 | — |
| 2020 | $4,707,260 | $373,125 | $453,273 | — | — | — | $360,479 | — |
| 2019 | $4,687,986 | $173,686 | $469,070 | — | — | — | $165,255 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Knowledge Systems Institute reported a distributable amount of $222K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Knowledge Systems Institute is led by Cybele Chang, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cybele Chang
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$36K (2022) → $30K (2024)
Shi-Kuo Chang
Board Chair & Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Giuseppe Palese
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Xin Li
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Judy Chang (2019–2022) — Director of Finance
- Former: Maria Tai (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Laurini (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sk Chang (2022) — Chair, Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Gabriel Smith (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: S K Chang (2019–2021) — Chairman of Board
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $30K, to Cybele Chang (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Knowledge Systems Institute
How much does Knowledge Systems Institute give each year?
Knowledge Systems Institute gave $124K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $148K across 9 grants.
What is Knowledge Systems Institute's typical grant size?
Knowledge Systems Institute's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,778, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Knowledge Systems Institute give grants?
Knowledge Systems Institute's top state is Pennsylvania, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (20%) and Texas (16%).
Who are Knowledge Systems Institute's largest grantees?
Knowledge Systems Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Rodale Institute ($30,000), Girlstart ($20,000) and Science Club for Girls ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Knowledge Systems Institute?
Knowledge Systems Institute reported $4.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $137K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $222K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Knowledge Systems Institute?
Knowledge Systems Institute is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Skokie, IL. It holds $4.2M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Knowledge Systems Institute's EIN?
Knowledge Systems Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3085682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 31, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Knowledge Systems Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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