The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. It supports animal welfare through grants and other programs focused on pets and the people who care for them, including work related to veterinary care, spay and neuter access, pet-inclusive housing, and research.
Key facts about The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
In short: The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 66 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in California. 49% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-3944602
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,966,426
- Grants made (2024)
- 66
- Average grant
- $29,794
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 49% first-time grantees (31 of 63, 2024)
- Total assets
- $15,166,576
- Primary geography
- California (73% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.2M
+5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+40.1% YoY
Grant Count
66
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+46.5% YoY
Is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
49%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 31 of 63 grantees (49%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $17K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s programs address animal welfare and issues where human and animal needs intersect. Its stated activities include supporting pet-inclusive housing initiatives, community pet wellness events and job training, and research into a single-dose sterilant for cats and dogs. Its Strategic Grants program supports initiatives intended to make a lasting impact on pets and the people who love them.
Examples of organizations supported in 2024 illustrate a range of work. Community Animal Medicine Project says its mission is to reduce shelter euthanasia and intake by providing high-quality, low-cost veterinary services to underserved Los Angeles communities. Animal Balance describes its work as collaborating with communities in need on sustainable, humane animal-management programs. FixNation says it works to reduce the homeless cat population through sterilization and Trap-Neuter-Return. The Human Animal Bond Research Foundation says it advances the role of companion animals in individual, family, and community well-being through science, education, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $1,966,426. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $750,000, with a median of $5,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 73% of grant dollars, Maryland recipients 15%, and recipients in New York, Montana, and Washington, DC, received 2% each. The listed grants also show support for work in Los Angeles-area communities and for organizations elsewhere.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 66 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
605 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Animal Medicine Project San Pedro, CA | Spay/Neuter | $750,000 |
| COMPANIONS AND ANIMALS FOR REFORM AND EQUITY INC Baltimore, MD | Animal Welfare | $289,701 |
| Animal Balance San Francisco, CA | Spay/Neuter | $108,644 |
| The Little Lion Foundation Long Beach, CA | Pet Welfare | $53,000 |
| The PAW Mission Inc Yucaipa, CA | Working Cat Program / Spay/Neuter | $51,000 |
| Downtown Dog Rescue South Gate, CA | Spay/Neuter | $50,000 |
| FixNation Inc Woodland Hills, CA | Spay/Neuter | $50,000 |
| STRAY PAWS ANIMAL HAVEN South El Monte, CA | Spay/Neuter | $50,000 |
| Pacific Coast Dog Rescue Inc Burbank, CA | Pet Rescue & Care | $36,000 |
| STAND Foundation Inc Sherman Oaks, CA | Spay/Neuter | $32,801 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,166,576 | $10,291,050 | $10,995,449 | $1,966,426 |
| 2023 | $14,432,052 | $6,077,118 | $7,740,700 | $1,403,552 |
| 2022 | $14,602,146 | $11,925,822 | $10,736,753 | $1,829,279 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,166,576 | $14,432,052 | $14,602,146 |
| Revenue | $10,291,050 | $6,077,118 | $11,925,822 |
| Expenses | $10,995,449 | $7,740,700 | $10,736,753 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,584,277 | $5,996,444 | $12,475,469 |
| Net Investment Income | $198,222 | $192,813 | $2,035,670 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gary Karlin Michelson, MD, as President/Director; David Cohen as Secretary/Treasurer; Brett Yates as CEO/CFO; and Alya Michelson as Co-Chair. The foundation’s website identifies Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson as founders and co-chairs.
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc is led by Brett Yates, CEO & CFO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brett Yates
CEO & CFO
Executive Director → CEO, 2021
CEO → CEO & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$197K (2020) → $249K (2024)
Gary Karlin Michelson MD
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Cohen
Secretary & Tresurer
Secretary & CFO → Secretary & Tresurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Alya Michelson
Co-Chair
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Aimee Gilbreath (2020–2021) — Vice President & Executive Director
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
Contact
Mailing address: 3000 S Robertson Blvd Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 806-9700
Website: https://foundanimals.org
Frequently asked questions about The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
How much does The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc give each year?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 66 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 69 grants.
What is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $29,794, across 66 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc give grants?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc gives mostly in California: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants), Tucson, AZ (2 grants) and North Hollywood, CA (2 grants).
Does The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 66 grants with a stated purpose on The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Pet Rescue & Care" (19 grants), "Spay/Neuter" (11 grants) and "Animal Welfare" (11 grants).
Who are The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Animal Medicine Project ($750,000), Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity Inc ($289,701) and Animal Balance ($108,644), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc reported $15.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $10.3M.
What does The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s programs address animal welfare and issues where human and animal needs intersect. Its stated activities include supporting pet-inclusive housing initiatives, community pet wellness events and job training, and research into a single-dose sterilant for cats and dogs. Its Strategic Grants program supports initiatives intended to make a lasting impact on pets and the people who love them. Examples of organizations supported in 2024 illustrate a range of work. Community Animal Med…
How do I apply for a grant from The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3944602. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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