The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. It supports equitable higher education and employment opportunities, with work focused on expanding learning, workforce development, and employment opportunities for historically underrepresented and underserved people.
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc gave $1.3M across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in California. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,289,397
- +52.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- +22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,444
- +25.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $4,424,534
- -9.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (28 of 53, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 3000 S Robertson Blvd Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 806-9700
Website: https://20mm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
Michelson Spark Grants - Open Educational Resources (OER)
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Michelson Spark Grants: Digital Equity Focus Area
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Michelson Spark Grants: Student Basic Needs Funding Cycle
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California State University Foundation ($125K). Together the top 10 received $687K.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 207 grants of 225 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says Spark Grants generally focus on organizations doing work in California. Its Digital Equity work specifically aims to improve access to devices, broadband, and digital literacy throughout California. In 2024, 68% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 17% to recipients in Washington, DC, 5% to New York, 4% to Illinois, and 2% to Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 53 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $620K (2020) to $1.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California State University Foundation Long Beach, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $125,000 |
| Generation Hope Washington, DC | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $100,000 |
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $90,000 |
| New Venture Fund Washington, DC | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $80,000 |
| UC College of the Law San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $55,000 |
| People Centered Internet Palo Alto, CA | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $50,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Resources for People Impacted by Mass Incarceration | $50,000 |
| Urban Resource Institute New York, NY | Education Access & Affordability | $50,000 |
| NextGen Climate America Inc Sacramento, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $45,000 |
| California Competes Oakland, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $30,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,424,534 | $4,477,890 | $4,884,094 | $1,289,397 | 55 | $4,726,344 | $12,755 |
| 2023 | $4,879,691 | $3,467,142 | $3,855,726 | $843,039 | 45 | $2,543,331 | $50,210 |
| 2022 | $4,374,656 | $3,228,591 | $2,496,495 | $982,665 | 49 | $2,618,024 | $405,732 |
| 2021 | $3,283,812 | $1,888,959 | $2,050,429 | $748,675 | 48 | $2,097,929 | $12,142 |
| 2020 | $3,348,092 | $1,873,459 | $1,870,508 | $619,900 | 28 | — | $65,749 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it believes higher education and employment opportunities should be available to all. Its five focus areas are Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Open Educational Resources, Smart Justice, and Student Basic Needs. These include improving access to broadband and digital literacy in California; advancing equitable understanding of intellectual property rights; reducing the cost of instructional materials; supporting postsecondary education and employment for people impacted by the justice system; and addressing food, housing, and other financial barriers to student success.
The foundation’s own filing describes direct charitable activities supporting students facing food, housing, or financial insecurity; digital equity efforts; and the adoption of open educational resources. Its 2024 grants also included support for intellectual property education and resources for people impacted by mass incarceration.
Among its grantees, the California State University Foundation says it supports excellence in teaching and learning across the CSU system. Generation Hope says it provides teen parents and their children with mentoring, emotional support, and financial resources to support college and kindergarten success. Homeboy Industries says it provides hope, training, and support to formerly incarcerated and formerly gang-involved people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 55 grants totaling $1,289,397. Grants ranged from $500 to $125,000, with a median award of $15,000. Its largest awards included $125,000 to the California State University Foundation for Education Access & Affordability; $100,000 to Generation Hope for Digital Services Access & Affordability; $90,000 to the California Community Foundation for Education Access & Affordability; and $80,000 to New Venture Fund for Intellectual Property Education/Support. Other notable grants included $55,000 to UC College of the Law San Francisco for Intellectual Property Education/Support and $50,000 each to People Centered Internet for Digital Services Access & Affordability, Northwestern University for resources for people impacted by mass incarceration, and Urban Resource Institute for Education Access & Affordability.
The foundation’s Spark Grants platform describes a rapid, rolling grant process for organizations aligned with its focus areas. It says it aims to advance or decline a letter of inquiry within one week after a call for proposals closes and award grants within six weeks of the call closing. Its listed cycle schedule is a rough timeline: Open Educational Resources in Q1 2026, Student Basic Needs in Q2, Digital Equity in Q3, and Smart Justice in Q4. As of October 2, 2026, the first three listed cycles are past; the website lists Smart Justice for Q4 2026. The foundation generally focuses Spark Grants on organizations doing work in California and says organizations whose work does not impact California are likely ineligible. The website does not specify application materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gary K Michelson M D as Director, President, and Chair; Phil Kim as CEO; David Cohen as Secretary and Treasurer; Alya Michelson as Co-Chair; Brett Yates as CFO; and Mayra Lombera as COO.
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc is led by Phil Kim, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Phil Kim
CEO
President → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$127K (2023) → $129K (2024)
Gary K Michelson M D
Director, President & Chair
CEO → Director, President & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mayra Lombera
COO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024)
David Cohen
Secretary & Treasurer
CFO → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Alya Michelson
Co-Chair
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Brett Yates
CFO
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $180K, to Mayra Lombera (COO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc
How much does The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc give each year?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc gave $1.3M across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $843K across 45 grants.
What is The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $23,444, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc that year got $28K on average.
Where does The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc give grants?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc gives mostly in California: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (10 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Sacramento, CA (5 grants) and Long Beach, CA (2 grants).
Does The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 55 grants with a stated purpose on The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Access & Affordability" (29 grants), "Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN" (9 grants) and "Digital Services Access & Affordability" (8 grants).
Who are The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include California State University Foundation ($125,000), Generation Hope ($100,000) and New Venture Fund ($91,800 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $4.5M.
What does The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it believes higher education and employment opportunities should be available to all. Its five focus areas are Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Open Educational Resources, Smart Justice, and Student Basic Needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2898736. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-michelson-20mm-foundation-inc-morg_a6900e8f68d6429cb02186ce8e2093f3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272898736_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-michelson-20mm-foundation-inc-morg_a6900e8f68d6429cb02186ce8e2093f3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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