Michelle Janavs Foundation
Michelle Janavs Foundation is a private foundation, based in Newport Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $78K. Net investment income was $80K.
Michelle Janavs Foundation at a glance
In short: Michelle Janavs Foundation gave $78K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $39K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $78,480
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $39,240
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $39,240
- Total assets
- $2,019,139
- -8.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% 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 Michelle Janavs Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Second Harvest Food Bank ($74K). Together the top 2 received $78K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 9 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Michelle Janavs Foundation gives
- Giving grew 474% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2021) to $80K (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $78K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Second Harvest Food Bank Irvine, CA | General Operating Support | $73,800 |
| Segerstrom Center for the Arts Costa Mesa, CA | General Operating Support | $4,680 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,019,139 | $79,774 | $109,720 | $78,480 | 2 | $108,204 | $79,750 | $103,357 |
| 2023 | $2,200,376 | $92,144 | $94,765 | $79,688 | 2 | $86,543 | $91,899 | $93,893 |
| 2022 | $1,504,696 | $275 | $145,348 | $78,688 | 2 | $78,688 | $37 | $100,970 |
| 2021 | $2,139,323 | $86,239 | $170,427 | $13,675 | 2 | $13,675 | $85,982 | $104,713 |
| 2020 | $2,277,440 | $34,446 | $44,611 | $30,000 | 1 | — | $34,035 | $99,000 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michelle Janavs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $103K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Michelle Janavs Foundation is led by Michelle Merage, President on every filing since 2022; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Merage
President
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Paul Merage
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Paul Janavs (2020–2024) — Secretary · Filing note: Ended - 424
- Former: Michelle Janavs (2020–2021) — President
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.
Frequently asked questions about Michelle Janavs Foundation
How much does Michelle Janavs Foundation give each year?
Michelle Janavs Foundation gave $78K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $80K across 2 grants.
How large is Michelle Janavs Foundation?
Michelle Janavs Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $103K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Michelle Janavs Foundation operate?
Michelle Janavs Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Michelle Janavs Foundation's EIN?
Michelle Janavs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0523548. 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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Michelle Janavs Foundation funds
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