Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc (MMRF) is a Los Angeles, California–based private foundation that supports medical research through programmatic support, research prizes, and strategic investments. Founded in 1995, it says its work is intended to help researchers translate ideas into therapies and advance medical research.
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc gave $40.3M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $5.0M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $40,310,700
- +222.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,038,838
- +142.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,850,000
- Total assets
- $250,750,104
- -6.5% 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 October 2026.
How to apply to Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
MMRF does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Researchers seeking a Michelson Prize must apply electronically during the program’s application period; each applicant may submit one application, and submitted applications cannot be changed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 11755 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 806-9700
Website: https://michelsonmedicalresearch.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
Who Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The UCLA Foundation - Ciii ($20.0M). Together the top 8 received $40.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 42 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars itemized for filing year 2024 went to recipients in California. The Next Generation Grants program invites eligible researchers across related disciplines, but the available program information does not specify a geographic restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 257% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 318% 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 $10.9M (2022) to $40.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $40.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The UCLA Foundation - Ciii Los Angeles, CA | To fund ciii for the microbiome and rapid vaccine development institute | $20,000,000 |
| The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS. | $8,300,000 |
| Michelson Philanthropies Inc Los Angeles, CA | carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. | $8,200,000 |
| The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. | $2,700,000 |
| CA Institute for Immunology & Immunology Los Angeles, CA | To cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding | $1,000,000 |
| The Milken Institute Santa Monica, CA | Infrastructure to facilitate knowledge and resources to advance economic and social mobility. | $100,000 |
| The Uc Regents (UCLA) Los Angeles, CA | UCLA Medical Hospitality Program | $8,700 |
| The Surgery Education Fund (Fund 15) Los Angeles, CA | Medical-Surgery Education Support | $2,000 |
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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 | $250,750,104 | $17,401,936 | $113,369,932 | $40,310,700 | 8 | $40,619,477 | $17,002,969 | $12,754,992 |
| 2023 | $268,147,175 | $9,822,170 | $13,246,781 | $12,492,560 | 6 | $12,604,675 | $9,652,494 | $13,330,800 |
| 2022 | $260,054,130 | $68,548,925 | $12,275,467 | $10,943,981 | 15 | $11,231,190 | $77,727,304 | $11,349,015 |
| 2021 | $228,440,472 | $78,483,498 | $11,952,213 | $11,293,449 | 8 | $11,655,042 | $31,559,472 | $8,586,228 |
| 2020 | $153,609,395 | $21,358,050 | $12,029,577 | $11,583,049 | 5 | — | $9,590,362 | $5,666,830 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $12.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MMRF says it seeks to unravel the complexity of the human immune system and accelerate the development of vaccines and therapies for serious diseases. Its Michelson Prizes focus on innovative research in human immunology, vaccines, and immunotherapy, while welcoming proposals from related disciplines such as clinical research, molecular biology, computer science, and nanotechnology.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for the California Institute for Immunology & Immunotherapy at UCLA, as well as grants to affiliated Michelson organizations and other recipients. Among those recipients, the Milken Institute describes its own mission as advancing collaborative solutions to widen access to capital, create jobs, and improve health.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, MMRF reported eight grants totaling $40,310,700. Individual grants ranged from $2,000 to $20 million, with a median grant of $1.85 million. The largest grants were $20 million to The UCLA Foundation – CIII for the microbiome and rapid vaccine development institute; $8.3 million to The Michelson Found Animals Foundation for animal-welfare programs; and $8.2 million to Michelson Philanthropies for programs and administrative support for affiliate foundations. Other notable grants included $2.7 million to The Michelson 20MM Foundation and $1 million to the California Institute for Immunology & Immunology.
MMRF also offers the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants: $150,000 for one year of research by eligible researchers age 35 or younger. The program supports innovative work in human immunology and vaccine development, including related disciplines. Awards are made to the recipient’s institution, and the full award amount does not include indirect costs. Applicants may include salary and project-team costs in their budgets. The foundation’s website states that applications are closed and that the 2027 grants will accept applications in April 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gary Karlin Michelson M.D. as director, president, and co-chair; Alya Michelson as director and co-chair; and David Cohen as secretary/CFO.
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc is led by Gary Karlin Michelson M. D., Director, President & Co-Chair since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gary Karlin Michelson M. D.
Director, President & Co-Chair
Director & President → Director, President & Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alya Michelson
Director & Co-Chair
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
David Cohen
Secretary & CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc
How much does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc give each year?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc gave $40.3M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.5M across 6 grants.
What is Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $1,850,000, and its average grant was $5,038,838, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc give grants?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants).
Does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The UCLA Foundation - Ciii ($20,000,000), The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc ($8,300,000) and Michelson Philanthropies Inc ($8,200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc reported $250.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc fund?
MMRF says it seeks to unravel the complexity of the human immune system and accelerate the development of vaccines and therapies for serious diseases. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc?
MMRF does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's EIN?
Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4551615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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