OTEFE Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to providing educational scholarships to Korean American and Korean students pursuing higher education in the United States. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has been tax-exempt since August 2013.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$316K
-11.4% YoY
Grant Count
180
+17900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-99.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The primary purpose of OTEFE Foundation, Inc. is to assist financially needy Korean American students (regardless of citizenship status), overseas Korean students, or other students (non-Korean students who have shown a strong commitment to the betterment of the Korean community) who are faced with financial hardships to pursue their educational dreams at U.S. universities (4-year) or U.S. graduate and professional schools so they can later give back to and better their respective Korean communities.
Philosophy: OTEFE was founded on the belief that education is a stepping stone for individuals to succeed in life. The foundation emphasizes that what one does with their education is as important as obtaining a top-notch education itself. Commitment to community and "giving back to the community" are key goals of OTEFE's educational drive. Through education, individuals can develop and maximize their intellect, knowledge, wisdom, and skills to help community members and mankind in general.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount varies by year; median grant amounts have been reported at $357,000 in some years, reflecting the foundation's scholarship distribution model
Review Cycle
May 23, 2025
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (as of most recent filings):
- Total assets: $7,403,838 (2024)
- Total revenues: $331,848 (2024)
- Total expenses: $360,379 (2024)
- Total giving: $315,700 (2024)
Staffing: The foundation operates with zero paid employees, relying on volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ethan Choi ($3,000), Andy Eunsoo Park ($2,500), Beomsoo Park ($2,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABIGAIL KWON VALENCIA, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,500 |
| AIDEN PARK FULLERTON, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,500 |
| ALVIN YU WALNUT, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,000 |
| ANDREW KIM BELLFLOWER, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,500 |
| ANDREW SEO AUSTIN, TX | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,500 |
| ANDY EUNSOO PARK COVINA, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,500 |
| ANNABEL JUYEON CHUNG LOS ANGELES, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,000 |
| ANTHONY HAN KANG EASTVALE, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,000 |
| ANTHONY TAEIN CHUNG POTOMAC, MD | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,000 |
| BENJAMIN HOYEON LEE ALDIE, VA | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Alex Ko – Chief Executive Officer
- John Y Kim – Secretary
- Richard Kim – Chief Financial Officer
All leadership members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD KIM | CFO | 10 | — |
| JOHN Y KIM | SECRETARY | 10 | — |
| ALEX KO | CEO | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively award scholarships annually. Recent grant recipients have included organizations such as the Lao Lions Club Foundation, The Chris Lee Charitable Trust, and Friends of Caroline Park. The foundation maintains an active website and scholarship application process, with annual scholarship banquets held to recognize recipients.
OTEFE Foundation, Inc. \u2013 The Korean American Scholarship ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Otefe Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** The primary purpose of OTEFE Foundation, Inc. is to assist financially needy Korean American students (regardless of citizenship status), overseas Korean students, or other students (non-Korean students who have shown a strong commitment to the betterment of the Korean community) who are faced with financial hardships to pursue their educational dreams at U.S. universities (4-year) or U.S. graduate and professional schools so they can later give back to and better their r…
How do I apply for a grant from Otefe Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • During the 2022 application cycle, OTEFE Foundation distributed over $325,000 in scholarship funds • Most recent annual giving (2024): $315,700 • Typical award range: $200–$10,000 • Average grant amount varies by year; median grant amounts have been reported at $357,000 in some years, reflecting the foundation's scholarship distribution model **Application Process:** • Annual scholarship application deadline: May 23, 2025 • Applicants are notified of selection decisions in…
Where does Otefe Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Virginia.
What size grants does Otefe Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Otefe Foundation Inc awarded 180 grants totaling $316K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Otefe Foundation Inc's EIN?
Otefe Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1628941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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