Unlikely Collaborators Inc
Unlikely Collaborators Inc is a public charity based in West Hollywood, California. Its work uses the Perception Box lens and framework to help people untangle stories holding them back, through experiences, storytelling, impact, science, and investments.
Unlikely Collaborators Inc at a glance
In short: Unlikely Collaborators Inc gave $5.1M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $115K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,075,952
- +305.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +528.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $115,363
- -35.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $151,139,374
- +50.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (46% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Unlikely Collaborators Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website invites organizations interested in being considered for a grant to complete a short questionnaire; the team says it will reach out if there is mission alignment.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8605 Santa Monica Blvd 99722, West Hollywood, CA 90069-4109
Phone: (316) 828-0900
Website: https://unlikelycollaborators.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Unlikely Collaborators Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Storyville Center for the Spoken Word Inc DBA The Moth ($622K). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 17 grants of 53 (32%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (46%), Colorado (17%), New York (14%), Massachusetts (6%), and Florida (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $393K (2022) to $5.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Storyville Center for the Spoken Word Inc DBA The Moth New York, NY | See Part IV | $621,784 |
| Naropa University Boulder, CO | See Part IV | $572,000 |
| KALW Public Media Inc San Francisco, CA | See Part IV | $560,500 |
| Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute San Francisco, CA | See Part IV | $333,334 |
| University of Miami Coral Gables, FL | See Part IV | $299,004 |
| End Well Foundation Healdsburg, CA | See Part IV | $154,000 |
| MASS Design Group Boston, MA | See Part IV | $150,000 |
| Dougy Center The National Grief Center for Children & Families Portland, OR | See Part IV | $136,500 |
| Fireside Project Inc San Francisco, CA | See Part IV | $136,357 |
| Entertainment Industry Foundation Los Angeles, CA | See Part IV | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Unlikely Collaborators Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grant counts were 44 in 2024, 7 in 2023, and 2 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $151,139,374 | $62,099,498 | $11,606,562 | $5,075,952 | 44 | $4,244,711 |
| 2023 | $100,380,366 | $55,798,381 | $5,139,507 | $1,250,537 | 7 | $798,381 |
| 2022 | $49,601,953 | $50,000,000 | $398,047 | $393,333 | 2 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to help people untangle the stories holding them back using the Perception Box lens and framework. Its filing describes freely available educational content—including videos, podcasts, articles, activities, workbooks, and workshops—intended to deepen self-awareness and help people examine how perceptions shape reality and relationships. The filing also describes services and resources for mission-aligned nonprofit gatherings, which may include financial, logistical, technical, promotional, and marketing support.
Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including storytelling, education, public media, mindfulness, grief support, and end-of-life care. For example, Storyville Center for the Spoken Word says it works to connect people through personal storytelling, while KALW Public Media says it educates the public through noncommercial radio and other media. Mindfulness First’s grant supported work to adapt mindfulness education for deaf, blind, and deafblind students. The filing also describes grants supporting storytelling coaching for young cancer survivors and contemplative-based resilience programming for professionals exposed to secondary traumatic stress.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Unlikely Collaborators reported 44 grants totaling $5,075,952. The grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $621,784, with a median of $75,000. The organization launched Spark grants in 2024 to support collaborative projects using the Perception Box lens; a December 2024 announcement described a Spark grant for a research collaboration exploring consciousness, mental well-being, and dark retreats.
The largest 2024 grants included $621,784 to Storyville Center for the Spoken Word, $572,000 to Naropa University, $560,500 to KALW Public Media, $333,334 to Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, and $299,004 to the University of Miami. Other reported grants included $154,000 to End Well Foundation, $150,000 to MASS Design Group, and $136,500 to Dougy Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lisa Gregorian as director and president, Zach Goren as director, treasurer, and secretary, and Elizabeth R. Koch as director and chair.
Unlikely Collaborators Inc is led by Lisa Gregorian, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Gregorian
Director & President
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth R. Koch
Director & Chair
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zach Goren
Director, Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Unlikely Collaborators Inc
How much does Unlikely Collaborators Inc give each year?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc gave $5.1M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 7 grants.
What is Unlikely Collaborators Inc's typical grant size?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $115,363, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Unlikely Collaborators Inc give grants?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc's top state is California, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Colorado (17%) and New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Boulder, CO (2 grants).
Does Unlikely Collaborators Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Unlikely Collaborators Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Part IV" (44 grants).
Who are Unlikely Collaborators Inc's largest grantees?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Storyville Center for the Spoken Word Inc DBA The Moth ($621,784), Naropa University ($572,000) and KALW Public Media Inc ($560,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Unlikely Collaborators Inc?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc reported $151.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $62.1M.
What does Unlikely Collaborators Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to help people untangle the stories holding them back using the Perception Box lens and framework. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Unlikely Collaborators Inc?
The website invites organizations interested in being considered for a grant to complete a short questionnaire; the team says it will reach out if there is mission alignment. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Unlikely Collaborators Inc's EIN?
Unlikely Collaborators Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0928669. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Unlikely Collaborators Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Unlikely Collaborators Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/unlikely-collaborators-inc-morg_46300c93be6f4f9ea2d457fae5baa507
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_880928669_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Unlikely Collaborators Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/unlikely-collaborators-inc-morg_46300c93be6f4f9ea2d457fae5baa507},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Unlikely Collaborators 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.
Unlikely Collaborators Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?