The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation is a private foundation based in Torrance, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants supporting Ph.D. scholars and scientific research at universities and research organizations.
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation at a glance
In short: The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation gave $11.5M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $261K), mostly in California. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,494,657
- +30.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +7.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $261,242
- +21.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $231,558
- Total assets
- $104,172,964
- +13.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (3 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (58% 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 Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 21250 Hawthorne Blvd 350, Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 618-3645
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Regents of the University of CA ($1.6M across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $9.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 145 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. California received 58% of grant dollars, followed by Washington at 9%, Utah and Colorado at 8% each, and Georgia at 7%. Other listed 2024 recipients included organizations in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 24 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $541K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $525K repeat.
- 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 205% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 265% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.8M (2021) to $11.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $11.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | PH.D Scholars Program | $944,116 |
| University of Colorado Boulder, CO | PH.D Scholars Program | $944,116 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | PH.D Scholars Program | $916,618 |
| University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA | PH.D Scholars Program | $916,618 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | PH.D Scholars Program | $891,156 |
| University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA | PH.D Scholars Program | $874,182 |
| Innovative Genomics Initiative Berkeley, CA | IGI-Genomic Discover Toll Fund | $625,000 |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley, CA | PH.D Fellowship Program | $330,025 |
| The Regents of the University of CA San Francisco, CA | Support research on genetically targeted bioelectonics to map brain-body pathways | $250,000 |
| The Regents of the University of CA Berkeley, CA | Support research on dopaminergic modulation of synaptic plasticity for dynamic spatial learning | $250,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $104,172,964 | $6,985,588 | $12,652,006 | $11,494,657 | 44 | $12,184,917 | $956,948 | $4,599,805 |
| 2023 | $91,503,438 | $5,858,315 | $9,751,529 | $8,833,932 | 41 | $8,997,044 | $581,103 | $4,392,487 |
| 2022 | $98,706,117 | $26,767,410 | $5,745,565 | $4,959,392 | 37 | $5,050,720 | $19,599,565 | $4,685,960 |
| 2021 | $97,177,542 | $10,363,362 | $3,881,545 | $3,773,353 | 23 | — | $2,088,362 | $4,126,536 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The listed 2024 grants include Ph.D. scholars and fellowship programs, as well as research involving genomics, brain-body pathways, synaptic plasticity, transcriptional control, and virus infections. The grants went to universities and research organizations.
The grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. The University of San Francisco says it provides higher education with a global perspective to educate leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. Georgia Tech Research Corporation says it supports Georgia Institute of Technology research, technical assistance, and economic development. Carnegie Mellon University describes its mission as creating a transformative educational experience and university community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $11,494,657. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $944,116, with a median of $231,558.
Among the largest reported grants were $944,116 each to the University of Utah and the University of Colorado for Ph.D. scholars programs; $916,618 each to the University of Washington and the University of California San Diego for Ph.D. scholars programs; and $891,156 to the University of California, Berkeley, for a Ph.D. scholars program. Other reported awards included $625,000 to the Innovative Genomics Initiative for the IGI-Genomic Discover Toll Fund and $330,025 to the University of California, Berkeley, for a Ph.D. fellowship program. The foundation also gave $250,000 to Georgia Tech Research Corporation and $250,000 to Carnegie Mellon University in 2024.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ronald V. Rosequist as president and director; E. Davisson Hardman as treasurer and director; Kay Curci, James G. Mitchell, and Robert Tjian as directors; and Amy E. Fuermann as secretary.
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation is led by Ronald V. Rosequist, President & Director on every filing since 2021; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ronald V. Rosequist
President & Director
On filings since 2021
16 hrs/week
$48K (2021) → $100K (2024)
E. Davisson Hardman
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James G. Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2021
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kay Curci
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Robert Tjian
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy E. Fuermann
Secretary
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $35K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: John E. Huguenard (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Roberta P. Irish (2021–2023) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Thomas G. Irish (2021–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $100K, to Ronald V Rosequist (Pres / Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation
How much does The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation give each year?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation gave $11.5M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.8M across 41 grants.
What is The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's typical grant size?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $231,558, and its average grant was $261,242, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation that year got $46K on average.
Where does The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation give grants?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation gives mostly in California: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (9%) and Utah (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Berkeley, CA (8 grants), Atlanta, GA (5 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants) and Pasadena, CA (4 grants).
Does The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "PH.D Scholars Program" (6 grants), "Support Scientific Research" (3 grants) and "PH.D Fellowship Program" (3 grants).
Who are The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's largest grantees?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Regents of the University of CA ($1,612,515 across 7 grants), University of California Berkeley ($1,221,181 across 2 grants) and University of California San Diego ($1,082,398 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation reported $104.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation fund?
The listed 2024 grants include Ph.D. scholars and fellowship programs, as well as research involving genomics, brain-body pathways, synaptic plasticity, transcriptional control, and virus infections. The grants went to universities and research organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation?
The foundation 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 Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's EIN?
The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2554499. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation 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 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-shurl-and-kay-curci-foundation-morg_55675d0574dc4d5ab67d3a89dc07cf06
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_352554499_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-shurl-and-kay-curci-foundation-morg_55675d0574dc4d5ab67d3a89dc07cf06},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation'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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