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The Michelson Foundation Charitable Trust (C/O Richard Michelson Jr) at a glance

· Private foundation

The Michelson Foundation Charitable Trust (C/O Richard Michelson Jr)

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$24k
Granted FY2025still arriving
16
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Philanthropy$108kEducation$62kArts & Culture$14kEnvironment$14kYouth Development$10kHuman Services$8kAnimals$5kInternational$4kOther$0
02FY2025 · 16 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k15 grants · $14k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
$500
Median grant
3
States reached
$465k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY OHIO$10,000
CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY$5,000
DUCKS UNLIMITED$1,000
THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES$1,000
AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$1,000
AKRON ART MUSEUM$1,000
CHILDRENS CONCERT SOCIETY$500
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST OHIO$500
WALSH JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL$500
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC$500
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF AKRON$500
BLUECOATS INCORPORATED$500
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA$500
DENNY SHUTE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION$500
KEEP AKRON BEAUTIFUL$500
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 (FY17–25, $4k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $500 → 13%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.

99%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$217k · 22 repeat orgs$1k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +99% since the first grant, against +27% for those funded once.

22 repeat relationships: 15 still active in FY2025, 7 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

22
4

Total granted

$217k
$1k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+99%
+27%

Still filing today

59%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EducationArts & CultureEnvironmentPhilanthropyAnimalsHuman ServicesOther
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

  • CV
    CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
    9× · 2017–2025 · $45k · revenue +133%
  • UW
    UNITED WAY OF COLLIER AND THE KEYS INC
    5× · 2017–2022 · $10k · revenue +335%
  • DU
    Ducks Unlimited Inc
    9× · 2017–2025 · $9k · revenue +99%

Funded once

  • WR
    WESTERN RESERVE GIRL SCOUT
    one grant, 2022 · $500
  • WR
    WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETYgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $500 · revenue +27%
  • LA
    LEADERSHIP AKRON
    one grant, 2018 · $250 · revenue -12%
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
Akron Parks Collaborative

To engage the akron, ohio community around the creation and sustainability of vibrant public spaces within the city of akron. we foster and support neighborhood park advocates by enabling them to meet their goals, partner with the city and…

Recreation & Sports
2
Akron Revitalization Committee Inc
Community Improvement
3
Cleveland Museum of Art

The mission of the cleveland museum of art (cma) is to fulfill its dual roles as one of the world's most distinguished comprehensive art museums and as one of northeastern ohio's principal civic and cultural institutions. the museum,…

Arts & Culture
4
Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron

To improve the health of children, teenagers and young adults through excellence in patient care, education, research, advocacy and community partnerships.

Health
5
Akron Children's Hospital Foundation

Akron children's hospital foundation is organized exclusively for the benefit of children's hospital medical center of akron ("chmca"). its purpose is to solicit gifts from donors to further the mission of chmca.

Health
6
The Akron Zoological Foundation Inc

The mission of the akron zoological foundation, inc. is to directly benefit and provide support for programs, projects and to further the mission of the akron zoological park in conservation, education and serving the community.

Animals
7
Akron Childrens Museum

To be a gathering place for children and families, where play inspires exploration, discovery, and problem solving.

—
8
West Creek Conservancy

Our mission is to enrich the lives of all people in northeast ohio by conserving natural habitats, restoring the ecological value of our region's lands and waters, and expanding opportunities to connect people from all cultures to…

Environment
9
Akron Development Corporation

The akron development corporation was organized to support economic development initiatives in the city of akron, particularly through the former akron global business accelerator and to secure state of ohio funding for technology-based…

Community Improvement
10
Greater Akron Chamber

To promote business in the tri-county area

—
11
Oak Creek Zoological Conservatory
Animals
12
Akron Roundtable

Akron roundtable brings speakers to akron who inform, educate and stimulate listeners on topics of importance to the region, the country and the world.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Akron Community Foundation; the most unlike its peers is Children's Family Care 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

17 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. 17 of the 27 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)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
16/17
Grantees still filing
13/17
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY OHIO: $90,000 · OtherUNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY OHIOWALSH JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL: $4,000 · OtherDENNY SHUTE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: $4,000 · Other+11 more: $16,650 · Other+11 moreCUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: $45,000 · EducationCUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN A…THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES: $9,000 · EducationTHE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDE…+1 more: $250 · EducationUNITED WAY OF COLLIER AND THE KEYS INC: $10,000 · PhilanthropyUNITED WA…AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $8,000 · PhilanthropyAKRON COM…AKRON ART MUSEUM: $9,000 · Arts & CultureChildrens Concert Society: $4,500 · Arts & CultureWESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $500 · Arts & CultureDucks Unlimited Inc: $9,000 · EnvironmentKEEP AKRON BEAUTIFUL: $4,000 · EnvironmentAKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK: $4,750 · AnimalsINTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $4,000 · Human ServicesGIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO: $3,500 · Youth Development
Other$114,650Education$54,250Philanthropy$18,000Arts & Culture$14,000Environment$13,000Animals$4,750Human Services$4,000Youth Development$3,500

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 budgetCUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: $45,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED WAY OF COLLIER AND THE KEYS INC: $10,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetDucks Unlimited Inc: $9,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetTHE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES: $9,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetAKRON ART MUSEUM: $9,000 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetAKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $8,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetAKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK: $4,750 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetChildrens Concert Society: $4,500 over 9y, 2.2% of budgetKEEP AKRON BEAUTIFUL: $4,000 over 8y, 0.1% of budgetINTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC: $4,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetBLUECOATS INC: $3,750 over 8y, 0.2% of budgetGIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO: $3,500 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetRMH OF AKRONINC: $2,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDREN'S FAMILY CARE INC: $1,500 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetTHE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: $700 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetWESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLEADERSHIP AKRON: $250 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.

  • Who funds CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ↗
  • Who funds UNITED WAY OF COLLIER AND THE KEYS INC ↗
  • Who funds Ducks Unlimited Inc ↗
  • Who funds THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES ↗
  • Who funds AKRON ART MUSEUM ↗
  • Who funds AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds AKRON ZOOLOGICAL PARK ↗
  • Who funds Childrens Concert Society ↗
  • Who funds KEEP AKRON BEAUTIFUL ↗
  • Who funds INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AKRON INC ↗
  • Who funds BLUECOATS INC ↗
  • Who funds GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OHIO ↗
  • Who funds RMH OF AKRONINC ↗
  • Who funds CHILDREN'S FAMILY CARE INC ↗
  • Who funds THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ↗
  • Who funds WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds LEADERSHIP AKRON ↗

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.

Lehner Family Foundat…Gar FoundationSisler McFawn Foundat…Akron Community Found…L R Moffitt & L W Mof…The Marks Family Foun…Glenn R & Alice V Bog…Lloyd L & Louise K Sm…Charles E and Mabel M…Burton D Morgan Found…John S and James L Kn…Baird Foundation Inc
Lehner Family FoundationOH20× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Lehner Family Foundation · Gar Foundation · Sisler McFawn Foundation Pfdn · Akron Community Foundation · L R Moffitt & L W Moffitt Foundation · The Marks Family Foundation · Glenn R & Alice V Boggess Memorial · Lloyd L & Louise K Smith Foundation · Charles E and Mabel M Ritchie Memorial · Burton D Morgan Foundation Inc · John S and James L Knight Foundation · Baird Foundation Inc

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 Michelson Foundation Charitable Trust (C/O Richard Michelson Jr) funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Michelson Foundation Charitable Trust (C/O Richard Michelson Jr). Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    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.

    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 27 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Michelson Foundation Charitable Trust (C/O Richard Michelson Jr)’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