The Kite Key Foundation
The Kite Key Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1998 and based in Pasadena, California. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization with a broad philanthropic reach across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.3M
+5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$847K
+73.7% YoY
Grant Count
64
+10.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
+57.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kite Key Foundation reported a distributable amount of $84K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported 63 unique organizations across its grantmaking history. The foundation typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals—it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York and California, with additional grantmaking activity in Minnesota, Washington D.C., and across 14 states total. Funding reaches organizations in diverse locations including major urban centers and smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $1,196,540 (as of 2023)
- Annual revenue: $1,210,758 (2023)
- Annual expenses: $491,568 (2023)
Giving Activity:
- Total giving: $487,900 (most recent year)
- Historical grants: 173 grants totaling $1.7 million across available records
- Individual grants have ranged from $100 to $205,000
- Average grant amount: $10,000
- Median grant amount: $2,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,263,020 | $1,196,540 | $477,350 |
| Revenue | $919,094 | $1,210,758 | $843,675 |
| Expenses | $852,614 | $491,568 | $603,698 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $849,963 | $489,688 | $590,900 |
| Net Investment Income | $965,304 | $199,909 | $805,877 |
| Distributable Amount | $83,757 | $33,808 | $43,664 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City and Country School Inc ($200,000), O'gorman Garden Inc ($35,000), Friends of the High Line Inc ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A VOICE LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LEECH LAKE AREA CASS LAKE, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $4,000 |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| CITY AND COUNTRY SCHOOL INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| CITY CRITTERS INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| COMPASSION & CHOICES LITTLETON, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| FAIRFIELD COUNTY'S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC NORWALK, CT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| FILM FORUM INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was founded by Charles T. Munger, Barry A. Munger, and Sarah Q. O'Neill. Charles T. Munger serves as Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Corporation and is the former Chairman of Wesco Financial Corporation. Barry A. Munger is listed as the principal officer of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARRY A MUNGER | CO-TRUSTEE | — | — |
| SARAH Q O'NEILL | CO-TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 350 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105-1808
Phone: 213-683-8790
EIN: 06-1518993
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from The Kite Key Foundation?
The foundation has supported 63 unique organizations across its grantmaking history. The foundation typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals—it makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only.
Where does The Kite Key Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York and California, with additional grantmaking activity in Minnesota, Washington D.C., and across 14 states total. Funding reaches organizations in diverse locations including major urban centers and smaller communities.
What size grants does The Kite Key Foundation award?
In 2024, The Kite Key Foundation awarded 64 grants totaling $847K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kite Key Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kite Key Foundation reported a distributable amount of $84K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Kite Key Foundation's EIN?
The Kite Key Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1518993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kite Key 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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