Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation
The Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, Texas. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations whose U.S.-based projects advance social and economic justice through education and social change, with a focus on constituencies historically excluded from social influence, economic power, and resources.
Key facts about Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation
In short: Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation gave $4.6M across 74 grants in 2025 (avg $62K), top state Texas. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 74-2791217
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,589,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 74
- Average grant
- $62,020
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (22 of 74, 2025)
- Total assets
- $41,601,708
- Primary geography
- Texas (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The annual grant deadline is typically at the start of November for funding in the following calendar year.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; 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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.6M
+60.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.6M
+64.6% YoY
Grant Count
74
+27.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$62K
+29.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 22 of 74 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $72K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $65K repeat.
- 65% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 171% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 244% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to advance social and economic justice through systemic change. Its stated focus areas include research and education on social justice issues, and educational programs that help students with financial need stay in school, enrich their cultural lives, and pursue higher education. It especially encourages organizations that support students who are the first in their families to attend higher education, as well as synagogues and other Jewish organizations.
Its 2025 grants included organizations working on a range of issues. For example, Jewish Community Action describes its mission as organizing Minnesota Jews on issues affecting families and neighbors, including religious freedom and affordable housing. Workers Defense Project describes itself as a member-led organization organizing Latine immigrant workers in Texas to fight for dignity and respect. Pastors for Texas Children says it advocates for children by supporting public education. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not additional foundation priorities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 74 grants totaling $4,589,500. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $160,000, with a median of $50,000. In 2024, it awarded 58 grants totaling $2,788,858; in 2023, it awarded 52 grants totaling $2,154,615.
Review Cycle
The annual grant deadline is typically at the start of November for funding in the following calendar year. Grants are awarded following the annual meeting of the board of trustees.
How to Apply
is detailed when an organization is invited. The foundation grants to 501(c)(3) organizations only, and projects must operate solely within the United States. The application information listed in its guidelines includes a brief biographical sketch of key program personnel, officers, and board members. The grant focus must fall within social justice research and education or education consistent with the foundation’s goals.
Ready to take the next step with Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that grantees’ projects must operate solely within the United States. In 2025, its grant dollars were distributed by recipient state as follows: Texas 40%, California 16%, Minnesota 11%, New York 10%, and Massachusetts 8%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 74 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2020) to $4.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 74 grants totaling $4.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lawyers for Good Government ($160K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
270 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 164 grants of 270 (61%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers for Good Government La Mesa, CA | General Support of the Organization | $160,000 |
| Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (Clue) Los Angeles, CA | General Support of the Organization | $150,000 |
| Every Texan Austin, TX | General Support of the Organization | $150,000 |
| Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (Jalsa) Boston, MA | General Support of the Organization | $150,000 |
| Union for Reform Judaism New York, NY | General Support of the Organization | $150,000 |
| Jewish Community Action St. Paul, MN | General Support of the Organization | $130,000 |
| Jewish Organizing Institute & Network (Join) Quincy, MA | General Support of the Organization | $130,000 |
| Breakthrough Central Texas Austin, TX | General Support of the Organization | $120,000 |
| Neighborhood House St. Paul, MN | General Support of the Organization | $112,000 |
| Avodah Brooklyn, NY | General Support of the Organization | $110,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,589,500 | 74 |
| 2024 | $2,788,858 | 58 |
| 2023 | $2,154,615 | 52 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,601,708 | $25,976,460 | $18,658,222 |
| Revenue | $20,800,469 | $11,197,449 | $1,243,791 |
| Expenses | $5,114,431 | $3,276,911 | $2,404,584 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,740,777 | $2,935,245 | $2,190,668 |
| Net Investment Income | $841,936 | $860,783 | $603,169 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,946,137 | $1,279,094 | $1,018,394 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alice Kuhn as president and director; Jeffrey Kuhn as treasurer and director; Randall S. Kuhn and Jonathan Lipson as directors; and Peter Helf as executive director.
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation is led by Peter Helf, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Peter Helf
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024) → $149K (2025)
Alice Kuhn
President & Director
Vice President & Executive Director → Vice President & Executive, 2021
Vice President & Executive → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Kuhn
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer Director → Treasurer & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $67K (2025)
Jonathan Lipson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Randall S. Kuhn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Michael Kuhn (2020–2022) — President & CEO
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $149K, to Peter Helf (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2500 Longview St 030, Austin, TX 78705
Phone: (512) 575-8002
Website: https://kuhnfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation
How much does Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation give each year?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation gave $4.6M across 74 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 58 grants.
What is Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's typical grant size?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $62,020, across 74 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation give grants?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's top state is Texas, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (16%) and Minnesota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (23 grants), Los Angeles, CA (4 grants), Philadelphia, PA (4 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (74 of 74) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's largest grantees?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lawyers for Good Government ($160,000), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (Clue) ($150,000) and Every Texan ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation reported $41.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to advance social and economic justice through systemic change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's EIN?
Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2791217. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Michael and Alice Kuhn Foundation by hand.
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