The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts
The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Established by artist Mike Kelley in 2007, the Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization with a staff of 3-8 employees. The Foundation advances artistic practice through grants to arts organizations and artists while preserving Mike Kelley's legacy through educational initiatives, exhibitions, publications, and archival stewardship.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$85.9M
+0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$709K
+25.9% YoY
Grant Count
20
+5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+19.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts advances the artist's spirit of critical thinking, risk taking, and provocation in the arts. The Foundation seeks to further Kelley's philanthropic work through grants to arts organizations and artists for innovative projects that reflect his multifaceted artistic practice.
Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation preserves the artist's legacy more broadly and fosters understanding of his life and creative achievements through educational initiatives including exhibitions, educational events, publications, and the preservation and care of the Foundation's art collections and archives.
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on supporting compelling, inventive, and challenging work in any medium. The Foundation works with local nonprofits to support artist-centered projects or series of projects, with the goal of benefiting both artists and arts organizations.
Grantmaking
The Foundation's first formal grants initiative commenced in 2016, providing support to Los Angeles nonprofit institutions and organizations for projects with visual artists or artist collectives.
Ready to take the next step with The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily supports Los Angeles nonprofit institutions and organizations, with a focus on local arts communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year 2024:
- Total Assets: $85,850,768
- Total Revenues: $1,446,428
- Total Expenses: $2,385,526
As of fiscal year 2023:
- Total Assets: $85.8 million
- Total Revenues: $925,000
- Total Expenses: $2.58 million
- Total Giving: $563,000
The Foundation is classified as a Private Grantmaking Foundation (NTEE category).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $85,850,768 | $85,840,729 | $84,343,550 |
| Revenue | $1,446,428 | $925,206 | $540,491 |
| Expenses | $2,385,526 | $2,584,646 | $2,050,705 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,304,369 | $2,118,595 | $1,912,753 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,326,924 | $801,721 | $446,145 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,358,083 | $1,346,395 | $1,297,354 |
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
90 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Artcenter College of Design ($130,000), Tate Americas Foundation ($85,000), The American Friends of the Centre Pompidou ($54,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN PASADENA, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $130,000 |
| TATE AMERICAS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | EXHIBITION SUPPORT | $85,000 |
| THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE CENTRE POMPIDOU MONTCLAIR, NJ | EXHIBITION AND CONSERVATION SUPPORT | $54,000 |
| THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DETROIT DETROIT, MI | SUPPORT FOR MOBILE HOMESTEAD | $35,000 |
| CLOCKSHOP LOS ANGELES, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $30,000 |
| HUMAN RESOURCES LOAS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $30,000 |
| LAXART DBA THE BRICK LOS ANGELES, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $30,000 |
| COAXIAL ARTS FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $28,000 |
| FULCRUM ARTS PASADENA, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $28,000 |
| LOS ANGELES CONTEMPORARY EXHBITIONS (LACE) LOS ANGELES, CA | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT | $28,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY CLARE STEVENS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $207,505 |
| MIWON KWON | CHAIRMAN (END JULY 2024) | 1 | — |
| CLAIRE PEEPS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ED RADA | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PILAR TOMPKINS RIVAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CONNIE BUTLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GLENN KAINO | BOARD MEMBER (END DECEMBER 2024) | 1 | — |
| GIANNA DRAKE-KERRISON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced recipients of its inaugural Infinite Expansion Grants program in 2025. The Foundation also announced the fourth year of its Organizational Support Grants in 2024.
Awardees | Mike Kelley Foundation For The ArtsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts fund?
The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts advances the artist's spirit of critical thinking, risk taking, and provocation in the arts. The Foundation seeks to further Kelley's philanthropic work through grants to arts organizations and artists for innovative projects that reflect his multifaceted artistic practice. Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation preserves the artist's legacy more broadly and fosters understanding of his life and creative achievements through educational initiatives including …
How do I apply for a grant from The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts?
The Foundation's first formal grants initiative commenced in 2016, providing support to Los Angeles nonprofit institutions and organizations for projects with visual artists or artist collectives. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • An "Infinite Expansion Grants" program with announced recipients • A fourth year of "Organizational Support Grants" announced in 2024 • 12 grants made in the most recent reporting year to organizations including the Vincent Price Art Museum Foundation
Where does The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts make grants?
The Foundation primarily supports Los Angeles nonprofit institutions and organizations, with a focus on local arts communities.
What size grants does The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts award?
In 2024, The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts awarded 20 grants totaling $709K — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts's EIN?
The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0434789. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts to a real strategy.