The W.M. Keck Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in 1954 by William Myron Keck, founder and president of Superior Oil Company. The Foundation is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization and operates as a major philanthropic institution supporting groundbreaking work across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.7B
+6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$69.7M
+8.0% YoY
Grant Count
260
+9.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$268K
-1.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wm Keck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $77.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mandate is to support pioneering discoveries and the highest levels of academic inquiry and discovery conducted by leading researchers at innovative institutions. The Foundation operates two primary programs:
Research Program — Supports distinctive and novel work in Science, Engineering, and Medical Research. The program funds high-risk and high-impact research that pioneers biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new technologies, instrumentation, and methodologies. Keck-funded projects are characterized by their distinctive and novel approaches, their potential to question prevailing paradigms, or their capacity to break open new territory in their field.
Southern California Program — Strengthens resilient communities in Los Angeles County with emphasis on children, youth, and vulnerable populations.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s & Range:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Research Program operates on a national basis, funding institutions across the United States. The Southern California Program focuses specifically on Los Angeles County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $1.55 billion
- Total Liabilities: $36.6 million
- Annual Revenue: $74.7 million
- Annual Expenses: $78.7 million
- Annual Giving: $64.5 million
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since April 1959 (EIN: 95-6092354)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,651,776,277 | $1,550,102,225 | $1,370,447,360 |
| Revenue | $220,502,754 | $74,686,983 | $52,701,006 |
| Expenses | $82,687,983 | $78,668,053 | $78,262,167 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $76,520,071 | $70,546,991 | $73,822,315 |
| Net Investment Income | $225,444,627 | $76,616,569 | $34,417,881 |
| Distributable Amount | $77,095,770 | $70,708,247 | $76,059,565 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Wm Keck Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chapman University ($4,000,000), Claremont Mckenna College ($4,000,000), Compton Community College District ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABLE ARTS WORK LONG BEACH, CA | TO RENOVATE A FACILITY FOR THE AGENCYS FIRST PERMANENT HOME | $500,000 |
| ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER OF CRESTED BUTTE INC CRESTED BUTTE, CO | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $5,000 |
| ADVENTURE CHURCH SCHOOL DELAWARE, OH | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $10,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING EL MARINO CULVER CITY, CA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $1,000 |
| ALLEN-CHASE FOUNDATION DEERFIELD, MA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC CHICAGO, IL | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS GREATER LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $26 |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES CAMBRIDGE, MA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC KENNESAW, GA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH WASHINGTON, DC | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES. | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Robert A. Day — Chairman
- Joseph Day — Co-CEO
- Stephen M. Keck — Co-CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH DAY | CO-CEO, CO-CHAIR AND MEMBER /DIRECTOR | 12 | $300,000 |
| STEPHEN M KECK | CO-CEO, CO-CHAIR AND MEMBER /DIRECTOR | 12 | $300,000 |
| STEPHANIE ARGYROS | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES A BAKER III | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PETER K BARKER | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $60,000 |
| TODD BARKER | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT BRADWAY | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR WILLAM R BRODY | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $80,000 |
| PETER CARLTON | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DOROTHY W DAY | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JONATHON S DAY | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT DAY SR | VICE CHAIR AND MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT DAY JR | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR JAMES S ECONOMOU | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $60,000 |
| DR THOMAS E EVERHART | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIAN A FINCH | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR RICHARD N FOSTER | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $60,000 |
| LUCINDA DAY FOURNIER | VICE PRESIDENT AND MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2.5 | $60,000 |
| BRADFORD FREEMAN | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK C HOLSCHER | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARIA HUMMER-TUTTLE | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRIGHTON KECK | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THEODORE J KECK | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENT KRESA | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHERRY LANSING | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR KELSEY MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RONALD P SPOGLI | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 1 | $20,000 |
| DR EDWARD M STOLPER | MEMBER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $60,000 |
| ALLISON M KELLER | PRESIDENT AND CFO | 40 | $577,800 |
| STEPHANIE L GARACOCHEA | CORPORATE SECRETARY | 40 | $241,750 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant recipients have included researchers at major institutions pursuing innovative work across multiple disciplines. The Foundation continues to award grants supporting high-impact research in medical research and science & engineering fields, with abstracts from recent grant recipients available through the Foundation's website.
UCR awarded $800,000 Keck Foundation grant to support high ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Wm Keck Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mandate is to support pioneering discoveries and the highest levels of academic inquiry and discovery conducted by leading researchers at innovative institutions. The Foundation operates two primary programs: **Research Program** — Supports distinctive and novel work in Science, Engineering, and Medical Research. The program funds high-risk and high-impact research that pioneers biological and physical science research and engineering, including the development of promising new…
How do I apply for a grant from Wm Keck Foundation?
**Grant Sizes & Range:** • Research Program: Typically $500,000 to $5,000,000, with most grants in the $1-2 million range • Southern California Program: $100,000 minimum **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2025 Medical Research: 12 grants totaling $14.5 million • 2025 Science & Engineering Research: 12 grants totaling $13.7 million • Total Research Program Awards: $832 million (cumulative) • Research Grant Recipient Institutions: Over 250 **Application Process:** • Optional concept counseling strongly…
Where does Wm Keck Foundation make grants?
The Research Program operates on a national basis, funding institutions across the United States. The Southern California Program focuses specifically on Los Angeles County.
What size grants does Wm Keck Foundation award?
In 2024, Wm Keck Foundation awarded 260 grants totaling $69.7M — an average of about $268K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Wm Keck Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Wm Keck Foundation reported a distributable amount of $77.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Wm Keck Foundation's EIN?
Wm Keck Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6092354. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wm Keck Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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