The DMK Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes contributions only to organisations it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity without an existing connection should not send it a proposal cold.
- Where a route in is already open, a modest request fits its pattern: about 8 in 10 of its 61 grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $125,000, half are $25,000 or less, and the median is $25,000.
- Its recorded giving centres on education and on ocean and wild salmon conservation, and no geographic focus is stated, so location alone is not a reason to rule your organisation out.
- Its latest filing shows that 53% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so this is a relationship-led funder where existing ties count for more than a fresh approach.
Overview
The DMK Foundation is a US private foundation based in Santa Monica, CA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The recorded grants support education, including educational support, and environmental work: conserving wild salmon ecosystems, restoring and protecting ocean abundance, reducing marine debris, and protecting the world's oceans. Other recorded purposes include addressing mental trauma and stress, promoting consumer choice and civic action, and bringing dance to audiences. Recipients include colleges and schools, environmental and ocean-protection organisations, dance and theatre organisations, and charities working in health, social services, food relief and animal welfare. General support also appears among the grants.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Education
- Wild salmon conservation
- Ocean conservation
- Trauma and stress relief
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Oregon, District of Columbia, Maine and Iowa.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; no application route or materials are specified.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 53% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 61 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
5 other states: 11%
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 53% of grant dollars went to organisations The DMK Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada).
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 23 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Oceana · To restore and protect ocean abudance$200,0002024 tax year
- Wild Salmon Center · To promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems$175,0002024 tax year
- David Lynch Foundation · To keep transcendental meditation accessible to those under extreme stress and trauma.$150,0002024 tax year
- Colby College Charitable Trust · Educational support$100,0002024 tax year
- Environmental Working Group · Drive consumer choice and civic action$50,0002024 tax year
- BODYTRAFFIC · Dancer fund grant$50,0002024 tax year
- Liberty Hill Foundation · General support$50,0002024 tax year
- Ocean Defenders Alliance · To aim for a debris free sea$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Michelle Kelley — Trustee
- David E Kelley — Trustee
- Ward Bukofsky — Assistant Secretary
- Warren Heilbronner — Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $993,863 | $825,000 | $17,742,515 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,129,131 | $941,250 | $20,634,062 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,344,844 | $1,100,000 | $23,609,863 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The DMK Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Santa Monica, CA
Applying to The DMK Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Santa Monica, CA