The Michelson 20Mm Foundation Inc
Invitation OnlyLos Angeles, California · EIN 27-2898736 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$1.3M
Organizations funded55
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$4.4M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
36% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University Foundation | Long Beach, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $125,000 |
| Generation Hope | Washington, DC | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $100,000 |
| California Community Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $90,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Washington, DC | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $80,000 |
| UC College of the Law San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $55,000 |
| People Centered Internet | Palo Alto, CA | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $50,000 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Resources for People Impacted by Mass Incarceration | $50,000 |
| Urban Resource Institute | New York, NY | Education Access & Affordability | $50,000 |
| NextGen Climate America Inc | Sacramento, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $45,000 |
| California Competes | Oakland, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $30,000 |
| Homeboy Industries | Los Angeles, CA | Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN | $30,000 |
| The Mirman School for Gifted Children | Los Angeles, CA | Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN | $25,000 |
| City Heights Community Development Corporation | San Diego, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $25,000 |
| Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Destination Crenshaw | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Institute for Local Self Reliance Inc | Minneapolis, MN | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Unite-LA Inc | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| March On Foundation INC | Annapolis, MD | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| The Friends of Chabot College | Hayward, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $25,000 |
| Csula Auxiliary Services Inc | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Impact Justice | Oakland, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Indigenous Justice | Sacramento, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $25,000 |
| Regents of the University of California Riverside | Riverside, CA | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Peoples Resource Center | El Monte, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $25,000 |
| Glendale College Foundation | Glendale, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $23,100 |
| California State University Long Beach Research Fo | Long Beach, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $20,000 |
| Campaign for College Opportunity | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $15,000 |
| California Invention Convention | Santa Cruz, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $15,000 |
| Pro Bono Advisory Council | Birmingham, AL | Education Access & Affordability | $15,000 |
| Transformative Collective Institute Inc | Tehachapi, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $12,500 |
| Transformative Collective Institute Inc | Tehachapi, CA | Resources for People Impacted by Mass Incarceration | $12,500 |
| New Venture Fund | Washington, DC | Resources for People Impacted by Mass Incarceration | $11,800 |
| Online Learning Consortium Inc | Boston, MA | Education Access & Affordability Incarceration | $10,000 |
| University of California Berkeley Foundation | Berkeley, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $10,000 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc | Washington, DC | Education Access & Affordability | $9,000 |
| Association of Community College Trustees | Washington, DC | Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN | $8,550 |
| National Association for Community College Entr | Springfield, MA | Education Access & Affordability | $7,102 |
| Connect to Compete Inc | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $5,500 |
| Community College League of California | Sacramento, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $5,500 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges | Sacramento, CA | Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN | $5,000 |
| Southern California Grantmakers | Los Angeles, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $5,000 |
| Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair | South Pasadena, CA | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $5,000 |
| Student Organizing Inc | Boston, MA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $5,000 |
| Bard College Berlin A Liberal Arts University | Annandale on Hudson, NY | Resources for People Impacted by Mass Incarceration | $5,000 |
| KALW Public Media Inc | San Francisco, CA | Intellectual Property Education/Support | $5,000 |
| The Education Trust Inc | Washington, DC | Education Access & Affordability | $4,150 |
| Pukuu Cultural Community Services | San Fernando, CA | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $4,000 |
| The Center for Intellectual Property Understanding | Briarcliff Manor, NY | Education Access & Affordability | $3,500 |
| The Academic Senate For CA Community Colleges | Sacramento, CA | Resources for People Impacted by Mass IncarceratioN | $3,000 |
| Open Education Global Incorporated | Concord, MA | Education Access & Affordability | $2,695 |
| Institute for Intellect Property & Social Justice | Rockville, MD | Education Access & Affordability | $2,500 |
| National Academy of Inventors Inc | Tampa, FL | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $2,000 |
| the College of the Canyons Foundation | Santa Clarita, CA | Education Access & Affordability | $1,500 |
| Food Research and Action Center | Washington, DC | Digital Services Access & Affordability | $500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,289,397 | 55 |
| 2023 | $843,039 | 45 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 18, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503229349100110
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 27-2898736
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.