Unlikely Collaborators Foundation
Unlikely Collaborators Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Wichita, Kansas, established in March 2023. The foundation operates as a corporate foundation of Tiny Blue Dot Inc., based in Santa Monica, California. It is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization and holds tax-exempt status.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.0M
+12.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
-25.4% YoY
Grant Count
15
-54.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
+64.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds trauma-informed yoga programs that support the mental and emotional health of incarcerated individuals and correctional officers. Beyond this core focus, the foundation supports initiatives related to perception, identity, belief systems, and human development. The foundation's work is grounded in the "Perception Box™" framework—an internal filters concept that examines how memory, emotion, physiology, environment, and narrative shape perception and behavior.
The foundation supports more than 100 nonprofit organizations working to strengthen community, resilience, and human understanding. Its funding priorities include:
- Mental health and wellness initiatives
- Neuroscience and psychology research
- Adolescent development
- Mindfulness and resilience programs
- First responder support and training
- Education-focused mental health initiatives
- Integrative mental health approaches
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking across diverse sectors. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, but funds organizations nationally, with notable activity in California and across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $37,000,000
- Total Revenue: $5,840,000
- Total Expenses: $1,850,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $33,031,415
- Total Revenue: $683,009
- Total Expenses: $2,421,510
- Total Giving: $2,364,360
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,025,937 | $33,031,415 | $34,769,916 |
| Revenue | $5,843,333 | $683,009 | $35,004,936 |
| Expenses | $1,848,811 | $2,421,510 | $235,020 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,792,519 | $2,410,712 | $235,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $807,041 | $673,311 | $4,916 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,585,332 | $1,565,490 | $854,176 |
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
53 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Elizabeth R. Koch serves as Founder and CEO. She is a writer, social entrepreneur, and visionary founder who developed the Perception Box™ framework. Koch founded Unlikely Collaborators as a nonprofit storytelling and experiential organization that convenes scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, veterans, educators, and creative thinkers to examine how identity, belief, and adversity reshape perception. She also founded Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, which supports research in neuroscience, psychology, and adolescent development, and The Elizabeth R. Koch Foundation, which supports Los Angeles-based organizations serving caregivers, families, and community health initiatives.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple grants in recent periods supporting:
Integrative mental health education and training
First responder resilience and mental health support
Unlikely Collaborators Announces Grant to Support Mindfulness First's "MakingMindfulness accessibility and education initiatives
Trauma-informed approaches to mental health in correctional settings
The foundation's approach emphasizes collaboration with leaders and communities addressing "Perception Box" issues across the United States, prioritizing solutions rooted in credibility and empowerment from those with lived experience of the problems being addressed.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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