
The Michelson Medical Research Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts on a small set of initiatives spanning biomedical research, animal welfare, and education/workforce innovation. Much of its funding flows to affiliated Michelson entities to run programs (animal adoption and spay/neuter, startup accelerators, IP education, smart justice and workforce initiatives) and to a few external partners for targeted biomedical and knowledge-infrastructure investments such as rapid vaccine/microbiome research and immunology. The foundation favors program-building and operational support, often seeding new organizations or sustaining affiliated ventures.
A $20 million grant to The UCLA Foundation - Ciii for the Microbiome and Rapid Vaccine Development Institute stands out in the Michelson Medical Research Foundation Inc’s recent grant history. The foundation uses large, strategic awards to build research and program infrastructure rather than scatter small gifts across many recipients. Its funding also reaches affiliated Michelson entities that run animal welfare, education, and workforce initiatives, alongside targeted support for biomedical partners working on vaccines, immunology, and related research capacity. Two recurring patterns define this grantmaker. First, it backs internal operating platforms such as Michelson Philanthropies Inc and The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc, which carry forward multiple programs and provide administrative support. Second, it funds named initiatives at external organizations when the goal is to launch or expand a specific research or knowledge-building effort. Examples include support for the CA Institute for Immunology & Immunology to cover legal and other startup expenses, and funding for Human Vaccines Project Inc to accelerate vaccine and immunotherapy development. The result is a portfolio shaped by institutional support, research development, and program delivery across a limited set of priorities.
Biomedical research is a central thread in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $1,000,000 to CA Institute for Immunology & Immunology to cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding, and $591,031 to Human Vaccines Project Inc to accelerate vaccine and immunotherapy development for infectious and non-communicable diseases. Animal welfare is another major area. The foundation gave $8,300,000 to The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc for multiple animal welfare programs, including the Michelson Prize and grants in reproductive biology, the microchipping program, the adoption program, and the start-up accelerator; it also made a $5,000,000 grant for the same purpose in 2023. Education and workforce-related work appears through The Michelson 20mm Foundation Inc, which received $2,700,000 in 2025 to carry forth educational, future-of-work, workforce development, smart justice, and educational awareness programs.
$112.3M
$250.8M
$17.4M
$113.4M
Most grants fall between $27K and $796K, with a median of $45K.
25th Percentile
$27K
Median
$45K
75th Percentile
$796K
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Highly concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat funding to affiliated organizations and strategic one-off investments in external research and policy partners; grants emphasize program support, organizational capacity, and seed/bridge funding.
Notable grantees: The UCLA Foundation, The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc, Michelson Philanthropies Inc, The Michelson 20MM Foundation Inc, The Milken Institute
Typical grant size is $26,875 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $795,516 at the 75th percentile, which shows a mix of smaller operating grants and much larger strategic awards. The foundation’s recent grants include repeated support to the same organizations across 2023 and 2025, including affiliated Michelson entities and the Milken Institute, pointing to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. It makes grants as a foundation and also funds individuals, while program-related investments are not part of the stated structure. The overall pattern is operational and capacity-focused, with several awards used to sustain affiliates or launch specific institutions and programs.
Giving is concentrated in California, which accounts for 67% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Los Angeles appears most often, with grants to The UCLA Foundation - Ciii, The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc, Michelson Philanthropies Inc, The Michelson 20mm Foundation Inc, and multiple other local recipients. Santa Monica appears through The Milken Institute, and Los Angeles-area institutions also include The Mirman School for Gifted Children and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Outside California, the foundation has smaller numbers of grants to New York, Washington, DC, Colorado, and New York-based organizations.
Its recent grants support biomedical research, animal welfare, and education/workforce initiatives. Examples include microbiome and rapid vaccine development at UCLA, animal welfare programs through The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc, and educational and workforce programs through The Michelson 20mm Foundation Inc.
Yes. The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc received $5,000,000 in 2023 and $8,300,000 in 2025, The Michelson 20mm Foundation Inc received $2,500,000 in 2023 and $2,700,000 in 2025, and Michelson Philanthropies Inc received $1,500,000 in 2023 and $8,200,000 in 2025.
The grant-size distribution is $26,875 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $795,516 at the 75th percentile. That spread shows many modest grants alongside several very large awards.
California is the top state by grant count, and 67% of grants go to recipients in California. Recent recipients in the state include organizations in Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
Yes. It gave $20,000,000 to The UCLA Foundation - Ciii for the Microbiome and Rapid Vaccine Development Institute, and $1,000,000 to CA Institute for Immunology & Immunology to cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION - CIII | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000,000 | 2025 | TO FUND CIII FOR THE MICROBIOME AND RAPID VACCINE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE |
| The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc | LOS ANGELES, CA | $8,300,000 | 2025 | BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS. |
| Michelson Philanthropies Inc | Los Angeles, CA | $8,200,000 | 2025 | carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. |
| THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,700,000 | 2025 | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. |
| CA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | To cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MOBILITY. |
| THE UC REGENTS (UCLA) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $8,700 | 2025 | UCLA MEDICAL HOSPITALITY PROGRAM |
| THE SURGERY EDUCATION FUND (FUND 15) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL-SURGERY EDUCATION SUPPORT |
| Michelson Philanthropies Inc | Los Angeles, CA | $6,050,000 | 2024 | carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. |
| The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc | LOS ANGELES, CA | $4,500,000 | 2024 | BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS. |
| THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,850,000 | 2024 | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. |
| HUMAN VACCINES PROJECT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $58,860 | 2024 | TO ACCELERATE VACCINE AND IMMUNOTHERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOR INFECTIOUS AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. |
| THE MIRMAN SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | CULTIVATE THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF HIGHLY GIFTED CHILDREN, NURTURE THEIR PASSIONS AND TALENTS, AND DEVELOP A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE LIFELONG LEARNERS. |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $8,700 | 2024 | UCLA Medical Hospitality Program. |
| The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000,000 | 2023 | BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS. |
| THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500,000 | 2023 | Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector. |
| Michelson Philanthropies Inc | Los Angeles, CA | $1,500,000 | 2023 | carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $1,000,000 | 2023 | Infrastructure to facilitate knowledge and resources. |
| HUMAN VACCINES PROJECT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $591,031 | 2023 | TO ACCELERATE VACCINE AND IMMUNOTHERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOR INFECTIOUS AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. |
| New Venture Fund | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | supports a range of public interest projects, the majority of which focus on conservation, global development and health, and education. |
| American Association for the Advancement of Scienc | Washington, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | 2022 Prize Award (MP and Science Prize for Immunology). |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $45,000 | 2023 | TO ADVANCE SOLUTIONS THAT WIDEN ACCESS TO CAPITAL, CREATE JOBS AND IMPROVE HEALTH. |
| THE MIRMAN SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | CULTIVATE THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF HIGHLY GIFTED CHILDREN, NURTURE THEIR PASSIONS AND TALENTS, AND DEVELOP A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE LIFELONG LEARNERS. |
| KEYSTONE SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOG | Silverthorne, CO | $30,800 | 2023 | Medical and health (includes pledge). |
| America Share USA Inc | New York, NY | $28,750 | 2023 | General operations, access to education. |
| Inner City Law Center | Los Angeles, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | Affordable housing efforts. |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $17,400 | 2023 | UCLA Medical Hospitality Program. |
| BRENTWOOD SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | INSPIRE EVERY STUDENT TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, ACT ETHICALLY, AND SHAPE A FUTURE WITH MEANING. THE CORE VALUES ARE TRUST, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, CARING, COMMUNITY, AND DIVERSITY. |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | The surgery education fund To provide Quality healthcare. |
THE UCLA FOUNDATION - CIII
$20,000,000TO FUND CIII FOR THE MICROBIOME AND RAPID VACCINE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
$8,300,000BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS.
Michelson Philanthropies Inc
$8,200,000carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation.
THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC
$2,700,000Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector.
CA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY
To cover legal and other expenses until the organization established its funding
THE MILKEN INSTITUTE
$100,000INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MOBILITY.
THE UC REGENTS (UCLA)
$8,700UCLA MEDICAL HOSPITALITY PROGRAM
THE SURGERY EDUCATION FUND (FUND 15)
$2,000MEDICAL-SURGERY EDUCATION SUPPORT
Michelson Philanthropies Inc
$6,050,000carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation.
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
$4,500,000BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS.
THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC
$1,850,000Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector.
HUMAN VACCINES PROJECT INC
$58,860TO ACCELERATE VACCINE AND IMMUNOTHERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOR INFECTIOUS AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
THE MIRMAN SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN
$25,000CULTIVATE THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF HIGHLY GIFTED CHILDREN, NURTURE THEIR PASSIONS AND TALENTS, AND DEVELOP A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE LIFELONG LEARNERS.
UCLA FOUNDATION
$8,700UCLA Medical Hospitality Program.
The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Inc
$5,000,000BENEFIT OF ANIMALS THROUGH MULTIPLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE MICHELSON PRIZE AND GRANTS IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY, THE MICROCHIPPING PROGRAM, THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE START-UP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND OTHERS TOWARD The Michelson Found Animals FOUNDATION, INC.'S PURPOSE OF REDUCING EUTHANASIA RATES IN LOS ANGELES AREA ANIMAL SHELTERS.
THE MICHELSON 20MM FOUNDATION INC
$2,500,000Carry forth multiple educational programs, including educational and success programs, future of work and workforce development programs, smart justice programs, programs to increase educational awareness on topics related to intellectual property, and programs intended to support private-sector solutions to issue within the education sector.
Michelson Philanthropies Inc
$1,500,000carry forth programs and provide administrative support for affiliate Foundations, the Michelson 20MM Foundation and the Michelson Found Animals Foundation.
THE MILKEN INSTITUTE
$1,000,000Infrastructure to facilitate knowledge and resources.
HUMAN VACCINES PROJECT INC
$591,031TO ACCELERATE VACCINE AND IMMUNOTHERAPY DEVELOPMENT FOR INFECTIOUS AND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
New Venture Fund
$100,000supports a range of public interest projects, the majority of which focus on conservation, global development and health, and education.
American Association for the Advancement of Scienc
$50,0002022 Prize Award (MP and Science Prize for Immunology).
THE MILKEN INSTITUTE
$45,000TO ADVANCE SOLUTIONS THAT WIDEN ACCESS TO CAPITAL, CREATE JOBS AND IMPROVE HEALTH.
THE MIRMAN SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN
$40,000CULTIVATE THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF HIGHLY GIFTED CHILDREN, NURTURE THEIR PASSIONS AND TALENTS, AND DEVELOP A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE LIFELONG LEARNERS.
KEYSTONE SYMPOSIA ON MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOG
$30,800Medical and health (includes pledge).
America Share USA Inc
$28,750General operations, access to education.
Inner City Law Center
$25,000Affordable housing efforts.
UCLA FOUNDATION
$17,400UCLA Medical Hospitality Program.
BRENTWOOD SCHOOL
$15,000INSPIRE EVERY STUDENT TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, ACT ETHICALLY, AND SHAPE A FUTURE WITH MEANING. THE CORE VALUES ARE TRUST, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, CARING, COMMUNITY, AND DIVERSITY.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
$1,000The surgery education fund To provide Quality healthcare.