Malama Foundation
Malama Foundation is a private foundation, based in Kansas City, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $55K. Net investment income was $91K.
Malama Foundation at a glance
In short: Malama Foundation gave $55K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $55,122
- +0.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,374
- -33.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $2,647,967
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (54% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Malama Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sunbridge International Collaborative Inc ($30K). Together the top 3 received $55K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 14 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Malama Foundation gives
- Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 44% 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-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2020) to $95K (2023). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sunbridge International Collaborative Inc Southfield, MI | Cultural and Ethical Awareness | $30,000 |
| Citizens Coal Council Washington, PA | Social Awareness | $25,000 |
| Marine Conservation Institute Glen Ellen, CA | To Assist with the Conservation of Marine Life | $122 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,647,967 | $156,352 | $56,516 | $55,122 | 3 | $55,122 | $91,151 | $126,464 |
| 2024 | $2,573,131 | $209,214 | $57,496 | $55,000 | 2 | $55,000 | $93,404 | $118,624 |
| 2023 | $2,396,413 | $1,241,102 | $97,792 | $95,000 | 4 | $95,000 | $5,836 | $82,142 |
| 2022 | $1,253,103 | $52,393 | $54,963 | $45,900 | 3 | $45,900 | $2,793 | $59,835 |
| 2021 | $1,255,673 | $556,691 | $45,689 | $45,000 | 2 | $45,000 | $26 | $37,348 |
| 2020 | $744,671 | $152,757 | $45,158 | $43,000 | 3 | — | $31 | $31,067 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Malama Foundation reported a distributable amount of $126K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Malama Foundation is led by Sandra R. Higman, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sandra R. Higman
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura A. Brown
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Perelmuter
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Malama Foundation
How much does Malama Foundation give each year?
Malama Foundation gave $55K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $55K across 2 grants.
What is Malama Foundation's typical grant size?
Malama Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $18,374, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Malama Foundation give grants?
Malama Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (45%).
Does Malama Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Malama Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Malama Foundation?
Malama Foundation reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $55K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $126K (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 Malama Foundation's EIN?
Malama Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0625112. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Malama Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Malama Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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