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Michelson Philanthropies Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Private foundation

Michelson Philanthropies Inc

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$3.3M
Granted FY2024still arriving
20
Grants FY2024still arriving
6
States reached
$1.4M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0198% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2022 to 2024.

Philanthropy$1.4MHealth$1.2MAnimals$1.0MScience & Tech$166kEducation$70kCivil Rights$50kInternational$43kCommunity Improvement$30kOther$0
02FY2024 · 20 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k11 grants · $25k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $67k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $112k
  • $250k+3 grants · $3.1M
$9,000
Median grant
6
States reached
$4.0M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC$1,384,055
THE MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION INC$1,031,256
HUMAN IMMUNOME PROJECT INC$690,000
American Association for the Advancement of Scienc$62,000
THE REPRESENTATION PROJECT$50,000
First Gen Fund$25,000
COMMUNITY PARTNERS$15,000
America Share USA Inc$14,000
World Brain Mapping Foundation (WBMF)$12,500
UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC$9,000
Council for the Advancement of Science Writing$8,500
American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc$5,300
The Education Trust Inc$319
Inner City Law Center$250
Individual grant recipient$250
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–24, $250) land where the poverty rate runs at 8%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%Women's and Children's Alliance Inc: $250 → 8%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
ID
MT
WI
NY
MA
OR
CA
CO
MD
NC
DC
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 20% of Michelson Philanthropies Inc’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address. By recipient address, 64% of the giving stays in CA; by stated purpose, 30%.

Michelson Philanthropies Inclessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 34% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

34%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.4M · 7 repeat orgs$2.7M to everyone else

7 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2024, 0 since wound down; 13 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

7
17

Total granted

$1.4M
$154k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+5%
+9%

Still filing today

86%
94%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 24% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $2.5M went to new ones.

50%100%’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’22’23’24
EducationAnimalsHealthInternationalScience & TechPhilanthropyOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
    2× · 2023–2024 · $112k · revenue +5%
  • CP
    COMMUNITY PARTNERS
    3× · 2022–2024 · $30k · revenue +78%
  • CF
    COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WRITING INC
    2× · 2023–2024 · $14k · revenue +30%

Funded once

  • KS
    KEYSTONE SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
    one grant, 2023 · $40k · revenue -24%
  • FF
    FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGESgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $30k · revenue +50%
  • SO
    Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers
    one grant, 2023 · $25k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Association of American Medical Colleges

Aamc leads & serves the academic medicine community to improve the health of people everywhere.

Education
2
American Astronomical Society

The american astronomical society (aas), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in north america. the basic objective of the aas is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of…

Science & Tech
3
American Geophysical Union

Agu's mission is to advance and support an inclusive community of earth and space scientists and partners dedicated to discovery and solutions to societal challenges. agu seeks to catalyze discovery and solutions to scientific and societal…

Science & Tech
4
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
5
The Genetics Society of America in

Gsa serves an international community of scientists who use genetics to make new discoveries and improve lives. we advance biological research by supporting professional development of scientists, by communicating advances and fostering…

—
6
American Society for Microbiology

To promote and advance the microbial sciences

Science & Tech
7
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
8
Ucsf Foundation Investment Company

The organization provides professional investment management services for endowed gifts and financial assets entrusted to the ucsf foundation.

Education
9
American Association of University Women Inc

Aauw advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

Education
10
The Common Application Inc

The common application is a not-for-profit membership organization of over 1,100 colleges and universities across the globe committed to access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. every year, over 1.5 million students…

Education
11
The American Institute of Architects California

The AIA California, in collaboration with local components, is the voice of the architectural profession.

—
12
Marin Humane Society

Marin humane transforms lives through exceptional animal care, humane education, and advocacy. every day, marin humane inspires compassion and positive relationships between people and animals.

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is United Animal Nations Dba Redrover; the most unlike its peers is Wake Forest University. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

33 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 33 of the 37 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

2
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
0
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/33
Grantees still filing
16/33
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC: $1,384,055 · PhilanthropyTHE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INCTHE MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION INC: $1,031,256 · PhilanthropyTHE MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION INCHUMAN IMMUNOME PROJECT INC: $1,161,028 · HealthHUMAN IMMUNOME PROJECT INC+3 more: $17,000 · HealthAMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE: $112,000 · Science & TechKEYSTONE SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY: $40,000 · Science & TechCOUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WRITING INC: $13,500 · Science & TechAMERICA SHARE USA INC: $35,310 · OtherSociety of Refugee Healthcare Providers: $25,000 · OtherFIRST GEN FUND: $25,000 · OtherWorld Brain Mapping Foundation (WBMF): $12,500 · OtherUPWARDLY GLOBAL: $25,000 · OtherHURU INTERNATIONAL INC: $7,000 · OtherAMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY INC: $5,300 · Other+13 more: $6,950 · OtherThe Representation Project: $50,000 · Civil RightsFOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: $30,000 · EducationUNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC: $9,000 · Education+3 more: $819 · EducationCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: $30,000 · Community ImprovementVEGGIELUTION: $5,000 · Community Improvement
Philanthropy$2,415,311Health$1,178,028Science & Tech$165,500Other$142,060Civil Rights$50,000Education$39,819Community Improvement$35,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTHE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC: $1,384,055 over 1y, 31% of budgetHUMAN IMMUNOME PROJECT INC: $1,161,028 over 3y, 39% of budgetTHE MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION INC: $1,031,256 over 1y, 10% of budgetAMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE: $112,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetThe Representation Project: $50,000 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetKEYSTONE SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY: $40,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetAMERICA SHARE USA INC: $35,310 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: $30,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: $30,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUPWARDLY GLOBAL: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCOUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WRITING INC: $13,500 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GENE & CELL THERAPY: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND INC: $9,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHURU INTERNATIONAL INC: $7,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetLATINO MEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION NORTHEAST: $6,000 over 1y, 5.1% of budgetAMERICAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY INC: $5,300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetVEGGIELUTION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCORO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC: $3,800 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF IMMUNOLOGISTS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetInner City Law Center: $500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetThe Education Trust Inc: $319 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBITTER ROOT HUMANE ASSOCIATION: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWomen's and Children's Alliance: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWags and Walks: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNASPA FOUNDATION: $250 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY ANIMAL MEDICINE PROJECT INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEVERYDAY ARTS: $250 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetOXFAM-AMERICA INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED ANIMAL NATIONS DBA REDROVER: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCalifornia Historical Radio Society: $150 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER: $125 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE ALAMEDA ANIMAL SHELTER: $125 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Michelson Medical Res…The Annenberg Foundat…California Community …The California Endowm…Greater Good CharitiesSilicon Valley Commun…Vanguard Charitable E…American Endowment Fo…Morgan Stanley Global…The Bank of America C…American Online Givin…Network for Good
Michelson Medical Research Foundation IncCA20× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc · The Annenberg Foundation · California Community Foundation · The California Endowment · Greater Good Charities · Silicon Valley Community Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Endowment Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Network for Good

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Michelson Philanthropies Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Michelson Philanthropies Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%6%13%19%25%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Oxfam-America Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–25%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Michelson Philanthropies Inc?

Find your warmest path to Michelson Philanthropies Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 37 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Michelson Philanthropies’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home