Shark Fund
The Shark Fund's mission is to make Malibu High School and Malibu Middle School among the finest in the nation.
Shark Fund at a glance
In short: Shark Fund gave $228K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $227,605
- -16.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,901
- -16.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $53,532
- Total assets
- $349,890
- +5.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Shark Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Malibu Athletic Booster Club ($115K). Together the top 3 received $156K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($72,064), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 10 grants of 19 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Shark Fund gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $189K (2021) to $290K (2023). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $228K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Malibu Athletic Booster Club Malibu, CA | To fund athletic programs at Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School. | $115,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $72,064 |
| Arts Angels Committee of Malibu High PTSA Malibu, CA | To fund art programs at Malibu High School and Malibu Middle School | $35,000 |
| Malibu Education Foundation Malibu, CA | Distribution of interest income on endowment for art programs at all four Malibu public schools. | $5,541 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $349,890 | $345,935 | $326,715 | $227,605 | 4 | $8,125 |
| 2024 | $330,670 | $486,181 | $370,098 | $270,821 | 4 | $992 |
| 2023 | $214,580 | $334,663 | $315,734 | $290,000 | 3 | $38 |
| 2022 | $196,159 | $292,472 | $268,065 | $254,525 | 4 | — |
| 2021 | $171,244 | $235,014 | $206,457 | $188,799 | 4 | — |
About Shark Fund
Based on IRS filings
Shark Fund is a public charity focused on Education, based in Malibu, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $350K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $228K. Net investment income was $8K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Shark Fund is led by Karen Mihkels Al-harden, Chairperson on every filing since 2023; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen Mihkels Al-harden
Chairperson
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Kincaid
Co-Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ruth Hughes
Co-Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Porat
Resource Committee
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mia Skelton
Financial Secretary
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Doug DeLuca (2022–2024) — Resource Committee
- Former: Jackie Shyman Holt (2022–2024) — Chair of Resource Committee
- Former: Samantha Binah (2022–2024) — Resource Committee
- Former: Soniya Perl (2022–2024) — Chair of Governance Committee
- Former: Gina Odian (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Leslie Button (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Wendy Nickerson (2021–2022) — Financial Secretary
- Former: Heather Gardner (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Isabelle Morgenthaler (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Caren Leib (2021) — Chairperson
- Former: DeeDee Cortese (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Posey (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Marieka Kline (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Melissa Smith (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Teres Earl (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Shark Fund
How much does Shark Fund give each year?
Shark Fund gave $228K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $271K across 4 grants.
What is Shark Fund's typical grant size?
Shark Fund's median grant in 2025 was $53,532, and its average grant was $56,901, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Shark Fund give grants?
Shark Fund gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Malibu, CA (3 grants).
Does Shark Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Shark Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Shark Fund?
Shark Fund reported $350K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $346K.
What is Shark Fund?
Shark Fund is a public charity focused on Education, based in Malibu, CA. It holds $350K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Shark Fund's EIN?
Shark Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0824407. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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