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The Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation Aka the Cemo Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation Aka the Cemo Foundation

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.

$625k
Granted FY2024still arriving
17
Grants FY2024still arriving
7
States reached
$180k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0190% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2018 to 2024.

Education$1.4MHealth$495kHuman Services$490kAnimals$446kFood & Nutrition$210kScience & Tech$140kArts & Culture$120kRecreation & Sports$100kOther$0
02FY2024 · 17 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k1 grant · $5k
  • $10k–50k12 grants · $220k
  • $50k–250k4 grants · $400k
$20,000
Median grant
7
States reached
$14M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON$180,000
STREET ART FOR MANKIND$120,000
TRAVIS MILLS FOUNDATION$50,000
HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION$50,000
Individual grant recipient$40,000
BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE$25,000
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN$20,000
HOUSTON FOOD BANK$20,000
HOUSTON SPCA$20,000
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA$20,000
SOI DOG FOUNDATION USA$15,000
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES$15,000
FARM SANCTUARY$15,000
MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION$10,000
BRIDGE YEAR$10,000
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 (FY18–24, $440k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 99% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%RIVERBANK ORGANIZATION: $5k → 10%IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA: $20k → 14%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $150k → 14%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $100k → 14%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $75k → 14%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $50k → 14%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $40k → 14%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.
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.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$3.3M · 12 repeat orgs$335k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +28% since the first grant, against +26% for those funded once.

12 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2024, 5 since wound down; 10 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
4

Total granted

$3.3M
$40k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+28%
+26%

Still filing today

75%
75%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 53% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $295k went to new ones.

50%100%’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
AnimalsHuman ServicesHealthArts & CulturePublic BenefitInternationalOther
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

  • WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC
    5× · 2018–2023 · $415k · revenue +64%
  • HS
    HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
    6× · 2019–2024 · $366k · revenue +45%
  • THE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH
    5× · 2019–2024 · $280k · revenue +338%

Funded once

  • TU
    THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
    one grant, 2018 · $15k
  • RO
    RIVER OAKS FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2021 · $10k · revenue -22%
  • TC
    Texas Children's Hospitalgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $10k · revenue +83%
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
Spca of Texas

The spca of texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home.

Animals
2
Worldwide Vets Incorporated

Our goal is to sustainably improve animal welfare, provide veterinary care, and improve veterinary education globally. in order to achieve this goal, we work in over 10 countries, across 5 continents, supporting local people and animals,…

Animals
3
Washington Humane Society

The washington humane society protects animals, supports families, and advocates for positive change to create a world where all animals can thrive. we enrich the humanity of our communities by promoting compassion and encouraging people…

Animals
4
Houston Pets Alive

Houston Pets Alive!s (HPA!) mission is to save the lives of at-risk companion cats and dogs and find them loving homes.

Animals
5
Humane Society of Harris County

Humane Society of Harris County's mission remains steadfast: to provide high-quality adoption, transport, foster, Trap, neuter, release, and pet food pantry services to our community. Yet, with a fresh perspective and a renewed passion,…

—
6
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
7
Humane Animal Partners

Founded in 2023, humane animal partners is a nonprofit no-kill animal care and adoption center. we are committed to providing for the needs of homeless and owned dogs and cats in our community. we make "friends for life" by connecting…

Animals
8
Houston Botanic Garden

To enrich life through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment.

Environment
9
Trees for Houston

Plant, protect and promote trees all over the greater Houston area.

—
10
Michigan Humane Society

To improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement and advocacy for animals.

Animals
11
Memorial Hermann Medical Group

Memorial hermann health system is a nonprofit, values-driven, community-owned health system dedicated to improving health. our vision is to create healthier communities, now and for generations to come. our values are community,…

Health
12
The Humane Society for Seattleking County

Seattle humane promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or geography.

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Methodist Hospital Foundation; the most unlike its peers is I Stand With My Pack Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

19 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 19 of the 26 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.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
19/19
Grantees still filing
11/19
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON: $1,110,395 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL: $400,000 · OtherST THOMAS HIGH SCHOOLIndividual grant recipient: $212,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientThe Houston Food Bank: $200,000 · OtherThe Houston Food BankSTREET ART FOR MANKIND: $120,000 · OtherSTREET ART FOR MANKIND+5 more: $65,000 · OtherTHE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH: $280,000 · HealthTHE MICHAEL J …THE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $150,000 · HealthTHE METHODIST …RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES GREATER HOUSTON INC: $40,000 · HealthRONALD MCDONAL…+1 more: $10,000 · HealthWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $415,000 · Human ServicesWOUNDED WARRI…IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA INC: $20,000 · Human Services+2 more: $20,000 · Human ServicesHOUSTON SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $366,000 · AnimalsHOUSTON SOCIE…Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Inc: $25,000 · AnimalsBrother Wolf …I Stand With My Pack Inc: $20,000 · AnimalsFARM SANCTUARY INC: $15,000 · Animals+1 more: $5,000 · AnimalsHouston Museum of Natural Science: $140,000 · Arts & CultureTRAVIS MILLS FOUNDATION: $50,000 · Public BenefitWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $20,000 · International
Other$2,107,395Health$480,000Human Services$455,000Animals$431,000Arts & Culture$140,000Public Benefit$50,000International$20,000

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 budgetWOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT INC: $415,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetHOUSTON SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $366,000 over 6y, 1.1% of budgetTHE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH: $280,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetThe Houston Food Bank: $200,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetTHE METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $150,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetHouston Museum of Natural Science: $140,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetTRAVIS MILLS FOUNDATION: $50,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES GREATER HOUSTON INC: $40,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetBrother Wolf Animal Rescue Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetI Stand With My Pack Inc: $20,000 over 2y, 1.3% of budgetIRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetFARM SANCTUARY INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBRIDGEYEAR: $15,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetSoi Dog Foundation USA: $15,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetRIVER OAKS FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetTexas Children's Hospital: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE RIVERBANK ORGANIZATION: $5,000 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetROAD DOGS & RESCUE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% 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.

Natl Christian Charit…The Bank of America C…American Online Givin…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn IncGA9.4× affinity5 shared granteesties to 5 of 5Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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 The Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation Aka the Cemo Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation Aka the Cemo Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
1report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
typical government reliance, FY20–24
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.

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 26 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 Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation Aka the Cemo’s 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