Michelson Philanthropies Inc
Michelson Philanthropies Inc is based in Los Angeles, California, and is identified in its IRS filing as a private foundation. Its website describes Michelson Philanthropies as a group of privately funded operating foundations that uses grantmaking, impact investments, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and direct programs to support vulnerable and underserved communities in California and beyond.
Michelson Philanthropies Inc at a glance
In short: Michelson Philanthropies Inc gave $3.3M across 20 grants in 2024 (avg $165K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,308,580
- +628.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- -13.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $165,429
- +738.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $4,037,394
- +35.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (76% 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 Philanthropies Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3000 S Robertson Blvd Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 806-9700
Website: https://www.michelsonphilanthropies.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Michelson Philanthropies Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 46 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 21% to New York, and 2% to Washington, DC. It reports 0% for Washington state and Idaho. The website describes the foundations’ work as serving communities in California and beyond.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Michelson Philanthropies Inc gives
- 35% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $263K (2022) to $3.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 20 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including digital equity program, intellectual property program, open education program, student basic programs, smart justice program and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. | $1,384,055 |
| 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 adoption program, the start-up accelerator program, and others toward the michelson found animals foundation, inc.'s purpose of reducing euthanasia rates in los angeles area animal shelters. | $1,031,256 |
| Human Immunome Project Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $690,000 |
| American Association for the Advancement of Scienc Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $62,000 |
| The Representation Project Sacramento, CA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| First Gen Fund Sacramento, CA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| America Share USA Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $14,000 |
| World Brain Mapping Foundation (WBMF) Pacific Palisades, CA | General Opearting Support | $12,500 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $9,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,037,394 | $8,224,722 | $7,027,220 | $3,308,580 | 20 | $6,857,194 |
| 2023 | $2,983,715 | $6,599,415 | $6,653,199 | $453,938 | 23 | $5,785,864 |
| 2022 | $898,160 | $1,500,000 | $1,529,827 | $263,200 | 3 | $731,200 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Michelson Philanthropies’ website describes its mission as creating transformative opportunities through grantmaking, impact investments, advocacy, and programmatic work. It identifies medical research, animal welfare, education, intellectual property, and criminal justice reform among its areas of work.
Its 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. For example, the Human Immunome Project says its mission is to use advanced immunological data to transform health outcomes. The Representation Project says it uses storytelling, education, and social activism to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and norms. The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing says it works to improve the quality and quantity of science news reaching the public. UNCF says its mission includes supporting underrepresented students through college and strengthening its member institutions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 20 grants totaling $3,308,580. The grants ranged from $150 to $1,384,055, with a median grant of $8,750.
The largest reported grants were $1,384,055 to The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc. for educational programs, including digital equity, intellectual property, open education, student basic needs, and smart justice; $1,031,256 to The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc. for animal welfare programs; and $690,000 to the Human Immunome Project Inc. for general operating support. Other listed grants included $62,000 to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and $50,000 to The Representation Project, both for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gary Karlin Michelson M.D. as Director, President and Chair; Alya Michelson as Co-Chair; Geoffrey Baum as Executive Director; David Cohen as Secretary and Treasurer; Brett Yates as COO/CFO; Darice Bailey as CFO; and Denise Hernandez as COO. The website announced Phillip J. Kim’s appointment as Executive Director on February 12, 2026.
Michelson Philanthropies Inc is led by Geoffrey Baum, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 4 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Geoffrey Baum
Executive Director
Secretary → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$281K (2023) → $276K (2024)
Gary Karlin Michelson M. D.
Director, President & Chair
Director & President → Director, President & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brett Yates
COO & CFO
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$140K (2023) → $61K (2024)
Darice Bailey
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$208K (2024)
Denise Hernandez
COO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$150K (2024)
David Cohen
Secretary & Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alya Michelson
Co-Chair
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $276K, to Geoffrey Baum (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Michelson Philanthropies Inc
How much does Michelson Philanthropies Inc give each year?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc gave $3.3M across 20 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $454K across 23 grants.
What is Michelson Philanthropies Inc's typical grant size?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc's median grant in 2024 was $8,750, and its average grant was $165,429, across 20 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michelson Philanthropies Inc give grants?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc gives mostly in California: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (4 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Sacramento, CA (3 grants).
Does Michelson Philanthropies Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 80% of Michelson Philanthropies Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 20) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Michelson Philanthropies Inc's largest grantees?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc ($1,384,055), The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc ($1,031,256) and Human Immunome Project Inc ($690,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Michelson Philanthropies Inc?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $8.2M.
What does Michelson Philanthropies Inc fund?
Michelson Philanthropies’ website describes its mission as creating transformative opportunities through grantmaking, impact investments, advocacy, and programmatic work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michelson Philanthropies Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Michelson Philanthropies Inc's EIN?
Michelson Philanthropies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2298894. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Michelson Philanthropies 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 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Michelson Philanthropies Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/michelson-philanthropies-inc-morg_79351a9c17314f50b110584ee597f9c7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_872298894_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Michelson Philanthropies Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/michelson-philanthropies-inc-morg_79351a9c17314f50b110584ee597f9c7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Michelson Philanthropies Inc'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.
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