Michael Mason Foundation
Michael Mason Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Santa Monica, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $290K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $14K. Net investment income was $40K.
Michael Mason Foundation at a glance
In short: Michael Mason Foundation gave $14K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $13,500
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,250
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,250
- Total assets
- $290,352
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (85% 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 Michael Mason Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was A Window Between Worlds ($3K). Together the top 6 received $14K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 28 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michael Mason Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2021) to $14K (2022). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $14K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A Window Between Worlds Venice, CA | Domestic Violence | $3,000 |
| SOS Mentor Calabasas, CA | Motivate Youth to Make Healthy Eating Choices | $2,500 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Force Los Angeles, CA | Support Soldiers of IDF | $2,500 |
| Science Fiction Outreach Project Seattle, WA | Promote Reading of Science Fiction | $2,000 |
| Camp Conrad Chinnock Anaheim, CA | To Promote Diabetes Educational Services | $2,000 |
| Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society Granada Hills, CA | To Promote Reading | $1,500 |
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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 | $290,352 | $42,806 | $19,583 | $13,500 | 6 | $16,539 | $39,762 | $17,634 |
| 2024 | $268,081 | $40,987 | $18,302 | $13,000 | 6 | $15,650 | $38,335 | $15,957 |
| 2023 | $246,000 | $23,410 | $14,915 | $10,000 | 5 | $12,456 | $20,951 | $16,078 |
| 2022 | $243,960 | $21,184 | $18,509 | $14,000 | 8 | $16,253 | $18,928 | $13,942 |
| 2021 | $249,426 | $22,374 | $13,700 | $9,000 | 3 | $11,348 | $20,022 | $15,255 |
| 2020 | $226,187 | $11,928 | $14,273 | $10,500 | 3 | — | $10,040 | $12,035 |
| 2019 | $236,779 | $14,764 | $16,071 | $12,000 | 5 | — | $12,727 | $12,151 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael Mason Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Michael Mason Foundation is led by Jennifer Waltzer, Chair & President on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer Waltzer
Chair & President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Christian McGuire
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Connie Seidman
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Sherri Benoun
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jean Mason
Scrtry & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Tadao Tomomatsu (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Michael Mason Foundation
How much does Michael Mason Foundation give each year?
Michael Mason Foundation gave $14K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $13K across 6 grants.
What is Michael Mason Foundation's typical grant size?
Michael Mason Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,250, and its average grant was $2,250, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michael Mason Foundation give grants?
Michael Mason Foundation gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (15%).
Does Michael Mason Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Michael Mason Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Michael Mason Foundation's largest grantees?
Michael Mason Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include A Window Between Worlds ($3,000), SOS Mentor ($2,500) and Friends of the Israel Defense Force ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michael Mason Foundation?
Michael Mason Foundation reported $290K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $17K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18K (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 Michael Mason Foundation?
Michael Mason Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Santa Monica, CA. It holds $290K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Michael Mason Foundation's EIN?
Michael Mason Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2677103. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 9, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michael Mason Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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