Tiny Blue Dot Inc is a private foundation based in West Hollywood, California. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity and was granted tax-exempt status in July 2014. The foundation focuses on funding neuroscientific research and related initiatives centered on its proprietary Perception Box framework.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$79.2M
+4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.2M
+15.4% YoY
Grant Count
24
+71.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$301K
-32.7% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to help people understand that they live in their own unique Perception Box framework whose walls can be expanded to minimize suffering, increase acceptance of self and others, and view trauma and other challenges as opportunities for growth. The organization aims to develop Perception Box modification techniques that are safe, effective, reliable, measurable, widely accessible, and easy to use.
The Perception Box is a framework developed by Elizabeth R. Koch that describes how a person's perception is structured by various factors such as beliefs, biases, and narratives.
Primary funding areas include neuroscientific research related to the science of Perception Box, with recent grants supporting investigations into youth mental health, psychedelics research, virtual reality therapy, body image, emotional resilience, and consciousness studies.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active RFP for the "Science Perception Box" initiative.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds research and initiatives across multiple U.S. states and internationally, including:
U.S. Locations: California, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Arizona, Massachusetts, Washington
International Locations: Milan, Zurich, and other global research institutions
Research Institutions: The foundation works with researchers from the Allen Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California-Los Angeles, Medical University of South Carolina, and University of Milan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets (2024): $79,200,555
- Total assets (2023): $75.8M
- Total revenue (2024): $5,769,967
- Total revenue (2023): $5.56M
- Total expenses (2024): $8,808,675
- Total expenses (2023): $7.55M
- Total liabilities (2023): $577,000
Staffing:
- 1 employee (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $79,200,555 | $75,754,022 | $75,257,971 |
| Revenue | $5,769,967 | $5,562,754 | — |
| Expenses | $8,808,675 | $7,548,357 | $36,822,884 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,606,723 | $7,252,257 | $11,646,662 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,701,339 | $11,778,470 | $6,582,726 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,511,560 | $3,526,239 | $4,763,953 |
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
68 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Tiny Blue Dot Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Usona Institute Inc ($2,200,000), Allen Institute ($526,044), Brown University ($437,040).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 University of Arizona Foundation Tucson, AZ | Grant supports a Science of Consciousness Conference. The conference emphasizes broad and rigorous approaches to all aspects of the study and understanding of consciousness. Topical areas include neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, biology, quantum physics, cosmology, meditation and altered states, AI/machine consciousness, culture and experiential phenomenology. | $15,000 |
| Ernst Strungmann Institut gGmbH | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at Ernst Strungmann Institute titled "Exhaling the Past: A Comprehensive Neuropsychological Test of Breathwork as a Tool for Trauma Processing and Mental Well-Being." The project aims to explore the potential of circular breathwork as a tool for therapeutic trauma processing. | $221,718 |
| Floresta Project Inc Phoenicia, NY | Grant supports the construction of a retreat center aimed to be a hub for research and the exploration of consciousness expansion, quality of awareness, healing and reconciliation, self-transformation, and personal development. | $276,602 |
| 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 |
| National Central University | Grant supports a Science of Perception Box study at National Central University titled "Why Do We Feel That Way: Elucidating the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Emotion Perception and Enhancing a Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Intervention." The project aims to investigate the nature of emotion consciousness and develop potential methods to benefit individuals with conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and autism. | $252,764 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple rounds of global research funding focused on the science of Perception Box. In September 2024, Tiny Blue Dot hosted a summit event with 63 renowned scientists focused on neuroscience topics to expand one's perception box, aiming to foster collaboration and align research efforts with the organization's mission.
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Opens Fourth Round of Global Research Funding on\Recent funding announcements include:
$9M awarded for Perception Box neuroscience research exploring youth mental health, psychedelics, VR therapy, body image, and emotional resilience
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Awards $9M for Perception Box Neuroscience ExploringFourth round of global research funding opened for the science of Perception Box
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Opens Fourth Round of Global Research Funding on\Major funding awarded to support psilocybin research for grief disorder
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Opens Fourth Round of Global Research Funding on\Contact Information
Website: www.tinybluedotfoundation.org
Address: 8605 Santa Monica Blvd # 99722, West Hollywood, CA 90069-4109
Phone: 316-828-0900
EIN: 46-4924931
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tiny Blue Dot Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to help people understand that they live in their own unique Perception Box framework whose walls can be expanded to minimize suffering, increase acceptance of self and others, and view trauma and other challenges as opportunities for growth. The organization aims to develop Perception Box modification techniques that are safe, effective, reliable, measurable, widely accessible, and easy to use. The Perception Box is a framework developed by Elizabeth R. Koch that de…
How do I apply for a grant from Tiny Blue Dot Inc?
**Grant Amounts & Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $7,226,340 • Total giving in 2023: $5.56M in revenue with $7.55M in expenses • Recent grants awarded: 14 grants in 2024 • Typical award range: $5,000–$25,000,000 **Recent Grants:** • Usona Institute: $2,200,000 (2024) to support Phase 3 Clinical Trials of Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder and early investigation of 5-meo-dmt's potential for therapeutic use • Allen Institute: Grant to support a Science of Perception Box Study titled "C…
Where does Tiny Blue Dot Inc make grants?
The foundation funds research and initiatives across multiple U.S. states and internationally, including: **U.S. Locations:** California, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Arizona, Massachusetts, Washington **International Locations:** Milan, Zurich, and other global research institutions **Research Institutions:** The foundation works with researchers from the Allen Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California-Los Angeles, Medical University of So…
What size grants does Tiny Blue Dot Inc award?
In 2024, Tiny Blue Dot Inc awarded 24 grants totaling $7.2M — an average of about $301K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tiny Blue Dot Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tiny Blue Dot Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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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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