Tiny Beam Fund Inc is a private 501(c)(3) foundation incorporated in Massachusetts in 2019. Based in Boston, MA, the organization functions as a grantmaking foundation dedicated to advancing understanding of industrial food animal production and its complex negative impacts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.0M
-0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$331K
-10.5% YoY
Grant Count
17
-34.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+36.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tiny Beam Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $600K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To help academic researchers and front-line persons gain a deeper understanding of the complex negative impacts of industrial food animal production (especially concerning low- and middle-income countries) and find practical ways to address them.
Key Questions of Interest:
- What are the drivers of the adoption and persistence of industrial food animal production systems globally?
- Why are these drivers and the deep flaws in this system so difficult to address?
- How can these drivers be reined in or disrupted?
- How can harmful practices and adverse effects be mitigated?
The foundation emphasizes that understanding the problem is foundational to developing comprehensive, enduring solutions that work beyond developed economies. The organization places particular emphasis on supporting academic researchers as catalysts for change, believing the academic research sector has considerable potential to benefit those working on industrial food animal production issues.
Grantmaking
Tiny Beam Fund operates three primary grant programs:
Grant Range
$24,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives globally, with documented funding activity in multiple regions including:
- North America (United States, Canada)
- Europe (Ireland, Germany, Ukraine)
- Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Brazil)
- Asia (China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar)
- Africa (South Africa)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $11,032,809
- Total Revenue: $306,429
- Total Expenses: $519,247
- Total Liabilities: $0
Grant Activity:
- 2023: 21 grants made
- Recent annual grants awarded: approximately $330,000–$369,000
- Average grant size: approximately $60 (based on high grant volume)
- Typical award range: $2,500–$74,706
The foundation operates with zero employees, relying on volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,961,237 | $11,032,809 | $11,235,074 |
| Revenue | $411,516 | $306,429 | $-803,831 |
| Expenses | $474,786 | $519,247 | $442,042 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $405,804 | $448,917 | $363,106 |
| Net Investment Income | $341,759 | $304,933 | $210,355 |
| Distributable Amount | $599,638 | $564,874 | $592,610 |
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
101 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Tiny Beam Fund Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Royal Veterinary College ($74,706), Mariann Molnar ($40,000), Raisa Ramos De Pina ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMBARISH KARAMCHEDU | 2024 BQI FELLOWSHIP | $20,000 |
| ANDREW BENNIE | BQI FELLOWSHIP | $15,000 |
| ANIMAL POLICY INTERNATIONAL (PLAYERS PHILANTHROPY FUND HOLDING ACCOUNT) TOWSON, MD | FUELING ADVOCATES INITIATIVE | $15,540 |
| ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE GHANA | FUELING ADVOCATES INITIATIVE | $11,600 |
| AQUATIC LIFE INSTITUTE MAMARONECK, NY | FUELING ADVOCATES INITIATIVE | $16,000 |
| ASOCIACION PARA EL RESCATE Y BIENESTAR | FUELING ADVOCATES INITIATIVE | $9,300 |
| BRIAN COOK | BQI FELLOWSHIP | $20,000 |
| BRIGHTER GREEN FBO GLOBAL FOREST COALITION BROOKLYN, NY | FAI INITIATIVE | $6,940 |
| DIVYA NARAIN | 2024 BQI FELLOWSHIP | $20,000 |
| FORUM NACIONAL DE PROTECAO E DEFESA ANIMAL | FUELING ADVOCATES INITIATIVE | $6,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Carmen Lee - President (volunteer, no compensation)
- Edwin Lee - Treasurer (volunteer, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARMEN LEE | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| EDWIN LEE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CARMEN LEE | CLERK | 1 | — |
| CARMEN LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDWIN LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JASON LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES CARTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SINDY YEUNG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Burning Questions Initiative launched **Beacon**, a series highlighting key messages from academic works relevant to those addressing industrial animal agriculture in developing countries. Beacon Issue 1 was published, covering eight major topic areas including aquaculture policy, livestock production systems, animal welfare investment, environmental impacts of food production, and regional case studies from China, South Africa, and Brazil.
Harmonizing Animal Health and Welfare in Modern AquacultureSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tiny Beam Fund Inc fund?
**Mission:** To help academic researchers and front-line persons gain a deeper understanding of the complex negative impacts of industrial food animal production (especially concerning low- and middle-income countries) and find practical ways to address them. **Key Questions of Interest:** • What are the drivers of the adoption and persistence of industrial food animal production systems globally? • Why are these drivers and the deep flaws in this system so difficult to address? • How can these…
How do I apply for a grant from Tiny Beam Fund Inc?
Tiny Beam Fund operates three primary grant programs: Grants supporting academic researchers and institutions' capacity building and outreach efforts. As of 2026, this program accepts invited applications only and does not accept unsolicited inquiries. These grants support the planning of research work and advancement of recently launched projects related to identified "burning questions." Eligible uses include: • Hiring graduate students for preliminary literature surveys • Teaching buyouts to…
Where does Tiny Beam Fund Inc make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives globally, with documented funding activity in multiple regions including: • North America (United States, Canada) • Europe (Ireland, Germany, Ukraine) • Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Brazil) • Asia (China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar) • Africa (South Africa)
What size grants does Tiny Beam Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Tiny Beam Fund Inc awarded 17 grants totaling $331K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tiny Beam Fund Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tiny Beam Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $600K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tiny Beam Fund Inc's EIN?
Tiny Beam Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-3062276. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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