The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation

BEVERLY HILLS, CA EIN: 26-6461545

The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Founded in 2008, the Foundation is dedicated to funding basic and clinical research to understand, treat, and cure Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorder. The organization has invested over $80,000,000 into research since its inception and maintains an international presence with operations in Argentina, Egypt, and Belgium.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.2M

-25.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$206K

-47.1% YoY

Grant Count

-55.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$51K

+18.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation is passionate in its support of programs and opportunities aimed at:

Funding basic and clinical research to understand the pathophysiology and biochemistry of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorder
Elevating the clinical paradigm for NMO patients
Improving treatment options, prevention strategies, and pursuing an eventual cure for the disease
Supporting patient advocacy and education initiatives

Grantmaking

The Foundation appears open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.

Grant Range

$6,374–$180

Average Grant

$6,374–$180

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:

States: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and Utah

Cities: Beverly Hills, Denver, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Haven, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Waltham

Grant Distribution by State

Utah $980K (44%)

California $767K (35%)

Connecticut $136K (6%)

Massachusetts $129K (6%)

Florida $121K (5%)

Colorado $36K (2%)

New York $26K (1%)

Georgia $25K (1%)

States

California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Massachusetts New York Utah

Cities

AtlantaBeverly HillsBostonDenverJacksonvilleLos AngelesNew HavenNew YorkSalt Lake CitySan FranciscoStanfordWaltham

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (2023):

Total assets: $1,571,754
Total revenue: $1,263,843
Total expenses: $2,567,038
Total liabilities: $141,000

Funding Sources:

The Guthy-Jackson Research Foundation: $155,000 (2023)
Give Lively Foundation: $6,440 (2024)

Tax Status: Tax-exempt since November 2008 (EIN: 26-6461545)

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,166,488	$1,571,754	$2,957,131
Revenue	$2,272,787	$1,263,843	$4,988,091
Expenses	$2,686,402	$2,567,038	$2,712,396
Qualifying Distributions	$2,676,817	$2,742,179	$1,889,011
Net Investment Income	$87,870	$46,108	$51,584
Distributable Amount	$51,701	$94,761	$159,048

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

48 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Utah ($144,751), University of Verona ($29,400), Lactrims - Niis ($25,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SALT LAKE CITY, UT	TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH	$144,751
INDIGO ART THERAPY 2024 JACKSONVILLE, FL	TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH	$6,374
LACTRIMS - NIIS BEVERLY HILLS, CA	TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH	$25,000
UNIVERSITY OF VERONA BEVERLY HILLS, CA	TO SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH	$29,400

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Co-Trustees:

Victoria Jackson - Founder. A philanthropist, author, Hollywood makeup artist, and entrepreneur who pioneered cosmetics sales through television infomercials. Victoria founded the Foundation after her daughter was diagnosed with NMO in 2008. She dedicates 20 hours per week to the Foundation without compensation.
William R. Guthy - Co-founder and co-trustee. A self-made entrepreneur and founding principal of direct marketing giant Guthy-Renker. He dedicates 20 hours per week to the Foundation without compensation.

Staff:

Jacinta Behne - Executive Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
WILLIAM R GUTHY	CO TRUSTEE	20	—
VICTORIA JACKSON	CO TRUSTEE	20	—

Recent Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The Foundation maintains an active patient registry called The SPHERES Registry of Patients with NMOSD, which has reached an enrollment milestone of 200 patients. The Foundation also operates community engagement programs including the Artistry iNMOtion Workshops and monthly support groups for patients and caregivers.

Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces Record $3.06 million in Annual Research

Contact Information

General Inquiries:

Phone: (310) 620-3074
Email: Available through website contact form
Website: guthyjacksonfoundation.org

GJCF NMO Helpline:

Phone/Text: (800) 793-4670
Email: Available through helpline contact form

The Patient Advocacy Team provides education, support, and connections within the NMO community, including information on financial assistance, patient programs, workshops, and support groups. The helpline does not provide medical advice and directs medical concerns to qualified healthcare professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation fund?

The Foundation is passionate in its support of programs and opportunities aimed at: • Funding basic and clinical research to understand the pathophysiology and biochemistry of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) Spectrum Disorder • Elevating the clinical paradigm for NMO patients • Improving treatment options, prevention strategies, and pursuing an eventual cure for the disease • Supporting patient advocacy and education initiatives

How do I apply for a grant from The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation?

**Recent Grant Activity:** • University of Utah: $154,507 (2023) - To Support Medical Research • Accelerated Cure Project (ACP): $29,001 (2023) - To Support Medical Research **Financial Metrics (2023):** • Total giving: $205,525–$389,000 (depending on reporting period) • Average grant size: $6,374–$180 • Median grant size: Varies by year • Total expenses: $2,567,038 (2023) The Foundation appears open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.

Where does The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation make grants?

The Foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: **States:** California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, and Utah **Cities:** Beverly Hills, Denver, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Haven, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Waltham

What size grants does The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation award?

In 2024, The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation awarded 4 grants totaling $206K — an average of about $51K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation's EIN?

The Guthy-jackson Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6461545. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.