The DMK Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Monica, California, established in 2002. The foundation operates as a philanthropic organization with a national and international reach, funding projects across the United States and Canada.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.6M
+14.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+16.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
+15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
+1.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dmk Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Promotion of health and public enjoyment of the national forest system
- Conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems
- Mental health and trauma relief
- Ocean conservation and marine debris prevention
- Education and human services
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
$1,250–$250,000
Average Grant
$192–$250,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple states and regions, including:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New York
- Major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver, BC
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $20.6–$23.6 million
- Total revenue: $1,734,182
- Total expenses: $1,129,131
- Expense ratio: 65.1% of total revenue
Year-over-year growth:
- Assets increased 2.6% from previous year
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,609,863 | $20,634,062 | $17,742,515 |
| Revenue | $2,182,027 | $1,734,182 | $4,117,934 |
| Expenses | $1,344,844 | $1,129,131 | $993,863 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,118,450 | $948,250 | $831,755 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,684,405 | $2,361,908 | $1,667,357 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,079,537 | $891,221 | $815,126 |
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
96 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Oceana ($200,000), Wild Salmon Center ($175,000), David Lynch Foundation ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BELMONT HILL SCHOOL INC BELMONT, MA | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BODYTRAFFIC LOS ANGELES, CA | DANCER FUND GRANT | $50,000 |
| COLBY COLLEGE CHARITABLE TR WATERVILLE, ME | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | TO KEEP TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE UNDER EXTREME STRESS AND TRAUMA. | $150,000 |
| EARTH JUSTICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND (FKA THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA) LOS ANGELES, CA | FOSTER STABILITY AND RESILIENCY AND PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTRY'S CULTURAL VIBRANCY. | $25,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP WASHINGTON, DC | DRIVE CONSUMER CHOICE AND CIVIC ACTION | $50,000 |
| GIFT OF LIFE MARROW REGISTRY BOCA RATON, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD SHELTER CATHOLIC CHARITIES LOS ANGELES, CA | SUPPORT HEALING AND EMPOWERMENT FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | $5,000 |
| INSTITUTE ON AGING SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $4,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- David E. Kelley – Trustee (serves without compensation)
- Michelle Kelley – Trustee (serves without compensation)
- Warren Heilbronner – Secretary (serves without compensation)
- Ward Bukofsky – Assistant Secretary (serves without compensation)
All leadership serves on a volunteer basis with no compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WARREN HEILBRONNER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| WARD BUKOFSKY | ASST. SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DAVID E KELLEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE KELLEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 2708 Wilshire Blvd # 268 Santa Monica, CA 90403-4706
Phone: 310-477-0450
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Dmk Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Promotion of health and public enjoyment of the national forest system • Conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems • Mental health and trauma relief • Ocean conservation and marine debris prevention • Education and human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Dmk Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total assets: $20.6–$23.6 million (as of most recent filings) • Annual distributions: Approximately $941,000–$1.1 million • Number of grants awarded: 17–20 grants annually • Grant range: $1,250–$250,000 • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: $192–$250,000 **Recent Grant Examples:** • David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness Based Education and World Peace: $150,000 • Wild Salmon Center: $125,000 • Ocean Defenders Alliance: $40,000 • Los Angeles Regional Food Ba…
Where does The Dmk Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple states and regions, including: • Arizona • California • Illinois • New Jersey • New York • Major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver, BC
What size grants does The Dmk Foundation award?
In 2024, The Dmk Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Dmk Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Dmk Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Dmk Foundation's EIN?
The Dmk Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1438237. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Dmk Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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