Tiny Blue Dot Inc
Tiny Blue Dot Inc is a private foundation based in West Hollywood, California. It funds neuroscientific research related to the Perception Box, a concept describing how beliefs, experiences, physiology, and other factors shape how people perceive themselves, others, and the world.
Tiny Blue Dot Inc at a glance
In short: Tiny Blue Dot Inc gave $7.2M across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $301K), top state Wisconsin. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,226,340
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- +71.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $301,098
- -32.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $241,287
- Total assets
- $79,200,555
- +4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (9 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (36% 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 Tiny Blue Dot Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 request for proposals opens September 1, 2026, with LOIs due October 5, 2026. Invited full proposals are due March 2, 2026, according to the full-proposal instructions.
- Deadline
- The 2026 request for proposals opens September 1, 2026, with LOIs due October 5, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8605 Santa Monica Blvd 99722, West Hollywood, CA 90069-4109
Phone: (316) 828-0900
Website: https://tinybluedotfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Tiny Blue Dot Inc
Who Tiny Blue Dot Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Usona Institute Inc ($2.2M). Together the top 10 received $5.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 16 grants of 68 (24%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants included recipients in Wisconsin, California, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Florida, and New York, as well as recipients whose listed locations were outside the United States or not specified. Wisconsin received the largest stated share of grant dollars at 36%, followed by California at 12%, Rhode Island at 10%, and Washington at 7%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Tiny Blue Dot Inc open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 19 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $223K; repeat grants $522K. How we count
Medians: $222K first-time, $300K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 35% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 245% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
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 $6.3M (2023) to $36.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $7.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Usona Institute Inc Madison, WI | Grant to support work advancing Phase 3 clinical trials of psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder and the early investigation of 5-MeO-DMT's potential for therapeutic use. | $2,200,000 |
| Allen Institute Seattle, WA | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at The Allen Institute titled "Comprehensive Survey of Neuronal Cell Types Activated by Psychedelics in Mice." The project aims to map brain cell activity after exposure to psilocybin, helping to better understand how the drug works in the brain and to guide the development of new therapies. | $526,044 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at Brown University by Dr. Judson Brewer titled "Advancing our understanding and treatment of anxiety through bringing together facets of conscious experience and brain mechanisms: open/closed meets the default mode network." | $437,040 |
| Brown University Providence, RI | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at Brown University by Dr. Jeffery Proulx titled "Courageous Connection: Flint Police and Black Community Members Strategies of Mindful Awareness." | $300,000 |
| The Regents of the University of California Los Angeles, CA | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at UCLA by Dr. Paul Macey titled "Does Breathing Resistance Training Relax the Body and Calm the Mind?." The project aims to investigate the effects of five minutes of daily Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) on mental and physical states and determine if these changes are sustained over time. | $300,000 |
| University of Oregon Eugene, OR | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study being conducted by University of Oregon titled "Neural and Psychological Evidence to Shift Mindsets from "Me" to "We" Using a Scalable Decentering Curriculum." This project aims to develop an entry-level college course on positive psychology and neuroscience focused on transforming students' mindset from a self-centered perspective to one that emphasizes a collective and pro-social focus. | $299,996 |
| The Massachusetts General Hospital Somerville, MA | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at Massachusetts General Hospital titled "Examining the Impact of Heated Yoga on Rumination and Mindfulness." The project aims to examine how doing yoga in a heated room can expand an individual's mindfulness and decrease rumination. | $299,988 |
| University of Haifa | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study being conducted by University of Haifa titled "The Self, Unbound: Neurofeedback-Assisted Meditation for Eliciting Transformative Self-Dissolution Experiences." This study utilizes meditation and neuro-imaging, and seeks to better understand altered states of consciousness and the potential for promoting well-being. | $299,052 |
| University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study being conducted by University of Wisconsin- Madison titled "Expanding the Perception Box Through Neuromodulation-Assisted Ego-Disengagement." Which will use meditation and noninvasive tools, to seek to help people open their minds and let go of their self-centered thoughts, allowing them to see things in a new and broader way. | $297,165 |
| Florida State University Research Foundation Inc Tallahassee, FL | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at FSU titled "Pointing Beyond the Pain Perception Box: Treating Chronic Pain by Modulating Phenomenological and Psycho-Physiological Indices of Self-Transcendence." The project aims to determine if mindfulness training designed to encourage self-transcendence can lead to long-term pain relief. | $287,540 |
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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 | $79,200,555 | $5,769,967 | $8,808,675 | $7,226,340 | 24 | $8,606,723 | $2,701,339 | $3,511,560 |
| 2023 | $75,754,022 | $5,562,754 | $7,548,357 | $6,261,990 | 14 | $7,252,257 | $11,778,470 | $3,526,239 |
| 2022 | $75,257,971 | — | $36,822,884 | $36,136,033 | 14 | $11,646,662 | $6,582,726 | $4,763,953 |
| 2021 | $107,784,236 | $48 | $11,836,269 | $11,064,843 | 9 | $11,561,523 | $5,889,402 | $4,280,278 |
| 2020 | $96,305,952 | $79,240,906 | $9,974,733 | $8,341,358 | 7 | — | $2,867,794 | $1,367,704 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tiny Blue Dot Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation’s mission is to develop Perception Box modification techniques that are safe, effective, reliable, measurable, widely accessible, and easy to use. It seeks research into how perceptual models form and change, including their neural, psychological, physiological, and social mechanisms and their relationship to conscious experience. The foundation welcomes foundational and applied research, including studies using interventions, technologies, practices, or transformative experiences.
Its 2026 research call seeks rigorous, empirical, statistically valid neuroscientific projects and offers awards of up to $900,000 over three years, including overhead and indirect costs. Areas of interest include developing autonomy and independence in young people, interoception and emotional regulation, and practices or tools that may affect selfhood and perception.
Grantees include research institutes and universities. For example, Usona Institute describes its work as supporting medical, scientific, and social-science research and education on medicines and practices to relieve suffering and improve quality of life. The Allen Institute says its mission is to advance bioscience and knowledge to improve human health through foundational research and an open-science approach.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Tiny Blue Dot reported 24 grants totaling $7,226,340. Awards ranged from $9,000 to $2,200,000, with a median grant of $241,287.
The largest grant was $2,200,000 to Usona Institute to support Phase 3 clinical trials of psilocybin for major depressive disorder and early investigation of 5-MeO-DMT’s potential therapeutic use. Other notable awards included $526,044 to the Allen Institute for a study of neuronal cell types activated by psychedelics in mice; $437,040 and $300,000 to Brown University for studies on anxiety and mindful awareness; and $300,000 to the Regents of the University of California for a study of breathing resistance training and mental and physical states. Additional awards included $299,996 to the University of Oregon for research on shifting mindsets toward a collective, prosocial focus and $287,540 to Florida State University Research Foundation for chronic-pain research involving self-transcendence.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its research application process begins with a letter of intent (LOI), which undergoes blind review; full proposals are by invitation and undergo external review.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Elizabeth R. Koch as founder and Christof Koch, Ph.D., as chief scientist. It lists Giulio Tononi, M.D., Ph.D., Hartmut Neven, Ph.D., and Alexander Bystritsky, M.D., Ph.D., as advisory board members; Bystritsky is also identified as executive emeritus.
Tiny Blue Dot Inc is led by Christof Koch, Director, President & Chairman since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christof Koch
Director, President & Chairman
Director & President → Director, President & Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $120K (2024)
Elizabeth R. Koch
Director
President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Gregorian
Vice President
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zach Goren
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Dean Jargo (2020–2021) — Vice President
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 $120K, to Christof Koch (Director/President/Chairman).
Frequently asked questions about Tiny Blue Dot Inc
How much does Tiny Blue Dot Inc give each year?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc gave $7.2M across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.3M across 14 grants.
What is Tiny Blue Dot Inc's typical grant size?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc's median grant in 2024 was $241,287, and its average grant was $301,098, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tiny Blue Dot Inc that year got $223K on average.
Where does Tiny Blue Dot Inc give grants?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc's top state is Wisconsin, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (12%) and Rhode Island (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Madison, WI (4 grants), Providence, RI (2 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants) and Santa Barbara, CA (2 grants).
Does Tiny Blue Dot Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Tiny Blue Dot Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Tiny Blue Dot Inc's largest grantees?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Usona Institute Inc ($2,200,000), Brown University ($737,040 across 2 grants) and Allen Institute ($526,044), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Tiny Blue Dot Inc?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc reported $79.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Tiny Blue Dot Inc fund?
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation’s mission is to develop Perception Box modification techniques that are safe, effective, reliable, measurable, widely accessible, and easy to use. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tiny Blue Dot Inc?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check tinybluedotfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is Tiny Blue Dot Inc's EIN?
Tiny Blue Dot Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4924931. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Tiny Blue Dot 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tiny Blue Dot Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tiny-blue-dot-inc-morg_ba2c0f9fa92b4b8da3170d8da1c668cb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464924931_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tiny Blue Dot Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tiny-blue-dot-inc-morg_ba2c0f9fa92b4b8da3170d8da1c668cb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Tiny Blue Dot 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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