Kissick Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Kissick Family Foundation funds two narrow themes: dementia research and awareness, particularly biomarkers and cures for neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal dementia, and ocean-based climate solutions, including overlooked technologies that remove greenhouse gases or mitigate harm to ecosystems; work outside these two areas is unlikely to fit.
- It does not accept or review unsolicited requests for funding, so you should not apply directly and would need to be invited or reach it through an existing connection.
- Most grants are modest: about eight in ten of its 115 grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $300,000, with a median grant of $50,000, so a request in that range is realistic, though the largest grant recorded was $1,000,000.
- No geographic focus is stated, though its grants have mainly gone to organisations in California, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maryland.
- A notable share of its funding, 38% of grant dollars to organisations, went to organisations it had also funded previously, suggesting it tends to sustain relationships with grantees rather than make one-off gifts to new contacts.
Overview
Kissick Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Sherman Oaks, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation focuses on dementia research and awareness, and ocean-based climate solutions. In dementia, it supports work to find biomarkers and cures for neurodegenerative diseases, especially frontotemporal dementia, through scientific research and awareness-building. In climate, it backs catalytic ideas focused on ocean-based solutions, including innovative and overlooked technologies that remove greenhouse gases or mitigate harm to ecosystems. It seeks underinvested opportunities where philanthropic funding is most needed and can go furthest, and is willing to be a first, early investor in ideas with potential for outsized impact. Its approach emphasises talented leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs, and sustained learning alongside those doing the work.
Themes
- Dementia Research and Awareness
- Ocean-Based Climate Solutions
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Virginia, Massachusetts and Maryland.
How to apply
It does not accept or review unsolicited requests for funding.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 38% 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 115 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It seeks overlooked areas where philanthropic dollars are most needed and can go furthest.
- It looks for ideas with potential for outsized, catalytic impact and is willing to be the first investment and early champion.
- It believes real change depends on exceptional scientists, innovative leaders and fearless changemakers.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 9%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 5%
- The largest single recipient received 14% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 38% of grant dollars went to organisations Kissick Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- 4% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada, United Kingdom).
- 14% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 33 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $160k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- 10000 Brains Neuro Al Inc · Contribution$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Ocean Visions · Contribution$750,0002024 tax year
- Regents of the University of California San Francisco · Contribution$650,0002024 tax year
- Windward Fund · Contribution$600,0002024 tax year
- Digital Harbor Foundation · Contribution$500,0002024 tax year
- Spark Climate Solutions · Contribution$500,0002024 tax year
- Purpose Campaigns · Contribution$300,0002024 tax year
- Stanford University · Contribution$300,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Kasey C Duarte — Co-President
- John R Kissick — Co-President
- Michael S Warsavsky — Director
- Mary K Kissick — Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,996,149 | $3,349,000 | $94,301,470 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $6,764,882 | $4,739,800 | $107,875,987 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $9,814,377 | $7,321,216 | $118,299,090 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Kissick Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- contact@kissickfamilyfoundation.org
- Sherman Oaks, CA
- kissickfamilyfoundation.org
Applying to Kissick Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- contact@kissickfamilyfoundation.org
- Sherman Oaks, CA
- kissickfamilyfoundation.org