Michael Asher Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Los Angeles, CA EIN: 35-2510764

Michael Asher Foundation is a private foundation, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $9.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $14K. Net investment income was $762K.

Michael Asher Foundation at a glance

In short: Michael Asher Foundation gave $14K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$13,840
Grants made (2024)
2
Average grant
$6,920
Median grant
$6,920
Total assets
$9,570,396
-1.0% vs 2023
Primary geography
Illinois (72% 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 Michael Asher Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2024

Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: $10KKrannert Art Museum at theUniversity of Illinois…$10KFractured Atlas: $4KFractured Atlas$4K

The largest 2024 recipient was Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($10K). Together the top 2 received $14K.

Grant Size Distribution

26 grants across all recorded years

26<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 26 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

Cities

Los AngelesBrooklynNew YorkBrooklyn NyChampaignChicagoCulver CityNew OrleansPasadenaSan FranciscoWest Hollywood

How Michael Asher Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 84% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 168% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K2 grants2020 15 grants2021 7 grants2022 0 grants2023 2 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2024) to $85K (2021). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $14K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILGrant to Support Exhibition and Catalogue$10,000
Fractured Atlas New York, NYGrant to Support Exit Interview Publication$3,840
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Michael Asher Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$9,570,396$806,524$858,960$13,8402$575,097$761,857$343,214
2023$9,665,954$178,016$708,266——$447,747$134,161$346,762
2022$9,607,434$104,269$733,267$50,0007$463,718$137,688$375,861
2021$11,320,411$450,590$647,116$85,00015$408,119$391,066$422,394
2020$11,057,577$164,817$579,170$50,0002—$111,055$392,265

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael Asher Foundation reported a distributable amount of $343K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Michael Asher Foundation is led by Ann Goldstein, Director & President on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Ann Goldstein

    Director & President

    On filings since 2020

    7 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $6K (2024)

  • Karen Dunbar

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $120K (2020) → $141K (2024)

  • Kirsi Peltomaki

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    6 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $6K (2024)

  • Mathieu Gregoire

    Director, Treasurer & Secrty

    Director → Director & Treasurer, 2021

    Director & Treasurer → Director, Treasurer & Secrty, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    7 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $6K (2024)

  • Miwon Kwon

    Director & Consultant

    Director & Secretary → Director, 2023

    Director → Director & Consultant, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    11 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $26K (2024)

  • Stephan Pascher

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    6 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $6K (2024)

  • Stephen James Prina

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    6 hrs/week

    $6K (2020) → $6K (2024)

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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

Karen Dunbar — Executive Director: $141KKaren DunbarExecutive Director$141KMiwon Kwon — Director & Consultant: $26KMiwon KwonDirector & Consultant$26KAnn Goldstein — Director & President: $6KAnn GoldsteinDirector & President$6KStephan Pascher — Director: $6KStephan PascherDirector$6KKirsi Peltomaki — Director: $6KKirsi PeltomakiDirector$6KStephen James Prina — Director: $6KStephen James PrinaDirector$6KMathieu Gregoire — Director & Treas.; Secrty: $6KMathieu GregoireDirector & Treas.; Secrty$6K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $141K, to Karen Dunbar (Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Michael Asher Foundation

How much does Michael Asher Foundation give each year?

Michael Asher Foundation gave $14K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

How large is Michael Asher Foundation?

Michael Asher Foundation reported $9.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $575K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $343K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

Where does Michael Asher Foundation operate?

Michael Asher Foundation has awarded grants in California, Illinois, Louisiana, New York.

What is Michael Asher Foundation's EIN?

Michael Asher Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2510764. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Michael Asher Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm

Los Angeles, CA

The Wilhelm Family Foundation supports small 501(c)(3) arts organizations and programming that expand access to creative expression and public engagement, with particular interest in underserved communities; it often funds general operations and programs. Grants average about $10,000, and applicants across the United States are welcome, though many awards go to California. It accepts applications through an online portal during its annual grant cycle.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

24

Total Given

$219K

The Andy Warhol Foundation

New York, NY

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts funds U.S. arts organizations and cultural institutions advancing contemporary visual art, supporting artists, original work, experimentation, and related projects; it also supports some international organizations. Grant sizes vary widely, with a 2025 median of $50,000, and small-scale project grants are $20,000–$30,000. It accepts unsolicited proposals from U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations; international organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry.

Assets

$391.3M

Grants

203

Total Given

$17.2M

The Muriel Pollia Foundation

Fillmore, CA

The Muriel Pollia Foundation funds activism, social justice, equity, education, and the arts, including advocacy, civic participation, and creative projects. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $175,000, with a median of $5,000, and supported organizations in several states, especially California, Washington, DC, and New York. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$11.7M

Grants

54

Total Given

$955K

Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

New York, NY

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation funds small to midsize arts and socially engaged organizations, particularly experimental, collaborative efforts that advance equity, as well as work supporting artists and Rauschenberg-related scholarship. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $756,000, with a median of $18,000; most funding went to New York organizations, with additional support across the U.S. Its Philanthropy Program is invitation-only and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Assets

$524.3M

Grants

134

Total Given

$4.7M

Charitarian

New York, NY

The foundation supports educational, environmental, artistic, and community empowerment organizations, as well as arts, health, and civic groups. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $135,000, with a median of $27,500; most funding went to New York organizations. It has no formal application requirements and asks applicants to state the amount and purpose of their request.

Assets

$2.5M

Grants

22

Total Given

$930K

The Buddy Taub Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

The Buddy Taub Foundation supports arts and cultural organizations, including museums, arts education, and community nonprofits, with grants also funding exhibitions, acquisitions, general support, and arts-community relief. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000, with a median of $8,500; recipients were across the U.S., with the largest share of funding going to California. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8.1M

Grants

23

Total Given

$367K

More similar funders

More Funders in California

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Michael Asher Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Michael Asher Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?