Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
Make Waves Family Foundation is a private foundation established by the Roth Family to support the autism community. The organization operates through multiple funding mechanisms including e-commerce, direct donations, and event support, with all proceeds directed toward programs and initiatives benefiting individuals with neurological disabilities.
Key facts about Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 26-0379241
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $751,429
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $41,746
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 18, 2024)
- Total assets
- $4,321,880
- Primary geography
- Florida (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Make Waves Family Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's 18 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (38%), Arizona (27%) and Maryland (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 18 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 89% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
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 Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3M
+12.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$751K
+10.8% YoY
Grant Count
18
-18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
+35.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Make Waves Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $820K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to empower and support youth and adults living with neurological, intellectual, and physical challenges to defy expectations. The organization specifically focuses on:
- Autism research and awareness
- Equal employment opportunities for autistic individuals
- Replicable housing models for independent living
- Social engagement programs to support quality of life outcomes
- Career transition support for autistic adults moving toward independent living
The foundation works to break down barriers faced by youth and adults with neurological disabilities and believes that "everyone has the ability to create a ripple effect."
Grantmaking
Make Waves takes a multi-tiered approach to raising and distributing funds. The foundation partners with like-minded brands, companies, and influencers to create funding opportunities through:
Ready to take the next step with Make Waves Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates nationally, with Kristyn Roth hosting fundraising events nationwide to educate and raise awareness.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 18 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,321,880 | $3,832,632 | $4,254,380 |
| Revenue | $1,376,577 | $375,730 | $578,086 |
| Expenses | $879,087 | $796,205 | $778,807 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $802,366 | $730,983 | $706,196 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,263,751 | $286,411 | $339,756 |
| Distributable Amount | $819,944 | $715,378 | $692,961 |
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
89 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Els for Autism Foundation ($280,300), First Place Arizona ($200,000), Autism Society of America ($75,300).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ELS FOR AUTISM FOUNDATION Jupiter, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $280,300 |
| FIRST PLACE ARIZONA Phoenix, AZ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA Rockville, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,300 |
| LA PAZ GLOBAL Beaverton, OR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY INLAND EMPIRE INC Corona, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $45,000 |
| THE IRIS FUND New York, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL Boston, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA Chicago, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL Portland, OR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSONS RESEARCH New York, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kristyn Roth — President of Make Waves Family Foundation. She is actively involved in raising awareness about autism, fighting social stigmas, and hosting fundraising events nationwide focused on scientific development, housing, and employment initiatives.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristyn J Roth | President | 1 | — |
| Henry M Roth | Treasurer, Clerk & Director | 1 | — |
| Donna J Roth | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a **$1 million commitment to First Place Global Leadership Institute** to establish the Make Waves Center for Community Development, designed to create sustainable housing and community development strategies over a five-year period.
Make Waves Family Foundation Announces $1 Million Gift to First Place GlobalThe foundation supports **Els for Autism's U Can Employ initiative**, which aims to increase employment opportunities for individuals with autism by equipping companies with training, consultation, and support to build inclusive workplaces.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to empower and support youth and adults living with neurological, intellectual, and physical challenges to defy expectations. The organization specifically focuses on: • **Autism research and awareness** • **Equal employment opportunities** for autistic individuals • **Replicable housing models** for independent living • **Social engagement programs** to support quality of life outcomes • **Career transition support** for autistic adults moving toward independent liv…
How do I apply for a grant from Make Waves Family Foundation Inc?
Make Waves takes a multi-tiered approach to raising and distributing funds. The foundation partners with like-minded brands, companies, and influencers to create funding opportunities through: • E-commerce partnerships • Direct donations • Event support and fundraising campaigns • **$1 million gift** to First Place Global Leadership Institute over five years to create the Make Waves Center for Community Development, which aims to develop replicable, sustainable housing and community options for…
Where does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation operates nationally, with Kristyn Roth hosting fundraising events nationwide to educate and raise awareness.
What size grants does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Make Waves Family Foundation Inc awarded 18 grants totaling $751K — an average of about $42K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Make Waves Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $820K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0379241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.