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Kanoff Family Foundation is a private corporation based in LOS ANGELES, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1999. The principal officer is Chris M Kanoff. It holds total assets of $14.6M. Annual income is reported at $7.2M. Total assets have grown from $928K in 2011 to $10.7M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2015 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Los Angeles and National. According to available records, Kanoff Family Foundation has made 101 grants totaling $2.5M, with a median grant of $5K. Annual giving has grown from $471K in 2020 to $1.5M in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $100 to $210K, with an average award of $25K. The foundation has supported 46 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, New Jersey, New York, which account for 72% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 13 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Kanoff Family Foundation operates as a relationship-driven, preselected private family foundation with no open application process. All grants go to organizations with established relationships with the Kanoff family. The most effective path to funding is through warm introductions to Chris M. Kanoff (President) or family members, ideally through shared networks in Los Angeles healthcare, university alumni circles (UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, Princeton), or faith-based communities. Key strategy points: (1) Target alignment with their top-funded verticals — healthcare (St. John's Health Center), higher education, homelessness/job training, and food security. (2) Lead with LA-based programs given 16 of 27 grants in 2024 were California-focused. (3) Recognize that giving declined from $754K (2022) to $349K (2024), suggesting a consolidation phase — existing relationships are being retained, not expanded. (4) Faith-based connections matter; St. Matthew's Parish School and other religious education grantees suggest the family's personal faith community plays a role in grant selection.
The Kanoff Family Foundation distributes grants in a highly concentrated pattern with one anchor grant dominating (St. John's Health Center Foundation received $134K — 38% of total 2024 giving) and a long tail of smaller $500–$10K gifts across 20+ organizations. Annual giving has trended down sharply: $754K in 2022, $602K in 2023, $349K in 2024 — a 54% reduction over two years. Grant count remained stable at 27, so the foundation is preserving breadth while reducing per-grant averages. Multi-year grantees include Stanford, Princeton, St. Matthew's Parish School, and St. John's Health Center, indicating high loyalty to established partners. Geographic spread covers California (60%), with secondary clusters in NY, CO, WY, and DC. No grants to international organizations identified.
Peer comparison — Los Angeles private family foundations, comparable asset range ($10M–$50M), 2023–2024:
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Grants/Year | Median Grant | Application Policy | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kanoff Family Foundation | $14.6M | $349K (2024) | 27 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Healthcare, Education, Homelessness |
| Elia Philanthropies (LA) | ~$15M est. | ~$500K est. | 17 | ~$30K | Preselected/Invited | Healthcare, Education, Conservation |
| Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation (Beverly Hills) | ~$20M est. | ~$400K est. | 32 | ~$12K | Preselected | Early Childhood, Education |
| Stock Family Foundation (LA) | ~$12M est. | ~$300K est. | 15–20 | ~$15K | Preselected | Community, Youth |
| Samueli Foundation (Corona Del Mar) | ~$150M | ~$8M | 205 | ~$39K | Accepts proposals | Health, Education, Arts |
Key differentiators: Kanoff gives at the lower end of its peer group in annual disbursements relative to assets (2.4% payout rate in 2024 vs 5% typical), has a strong preselected-only posture, and shows high loyalty to a small set of anchor grantees. Unlike Samueli Foundation, Kanoff is effectively closed to unsolicited applications.
In 2024 the Kanoff Family Foundation continued multi-year support for core grantees while reducing total annual disbursements to $349K across 27 awards, down from $602K in 2023. The top grant — $134K to St. John's Health Center Foundation (Santa Monica) — continues the foundation's long-standing healthcare commitment. The Farmlink Project (food security, $50K) and Chrysalis (job training/homelessness, $35K) received significant 2024 grants, suggesting growing interest in food security and workforce re-entry alongside established healthcare and education pillars. UC Berkeley received $50K reflecting family alumni ties. Foundation assets stood at $14.6M per 990-PF. Revenue is investment-driven: $763K dividends + $3.56M from asset sales in 2024. Leadership remains unchanged — the Kanoff family (Chris, Mary Ellen, Katherine) holds all officer positions without compensation.
Since this is a preselected-only foundation, traditional grant applications are not applicable. Organizations seeking to enter Kanoff's funding orbit should: (1) Build relationships first — attend events connected to St. John's Health Center, UC Berkeley's LA alumni network, UCLA Health, and faith community events in West LA/Santa Monica where the Kanoff family is active. (2) Align your pitch to documented priorities: community healthcare access, higher education access, homelessness-to-employment pathways, and food security. (3) If you receive a warm introduction, lead with your track record of impact, geographic presence in LA or California, and organizational longevity — multi-year consistency matters to this funder. (4) Keep requests realistic — median grant is $5K and most gifts are under $25K; only anchor partners receive six-figure support. (5) Demonstrate connection to West LA or California's Catholic/faith community if applicable. (6) Do not submit unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry — they are not reviewed.
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Supports hospitals and health centers including St. John's Health Center Foundation in Santa Monica with major grants up to $134,000.
Grants to universities including UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, and Princeton, typically $10,000-$50,000.
Supports organizations like Chrysalis that provide job training and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Supports organizations addressing food insecurity such as The Farmlink Project.
Supports faith-based schools and youth development programs including St. Matthew's Parish School.
The Kanoff Family Foundation distributes grants in a highly concentrated pattern with one anchor grant dominating (St. John's Health Center Foundation received $134K — 38% of total 2024 giving) and a long tail of smaller $500–$10K gifts across 20+ organizations. Annual giving has trended down sharply: $754K in 2022, $602K in 2023, $349K in 2024 — a 54% reduction over two years. Grant count remained stable at 27, so the foundation is preserving breadth while reducing per-grant averages. Multi-yea.
Kanoff Family Foundation has distributed a total of $2.5M across 101 grants. The median grant size is $5K, with an average of $25K. Individual grants have ranged from $100 to $210K.
The Kanoff Family Foundation operates as a relationship-driven, preselected private family foundation with no open application process. All grants go to organizations with established relationships with the Kanoff family. The most effective path to funding is through warm introductions to Chris M. Kanoff (President) or family members, ideally through shared networks in Los Angeles healthcare, university alumni circles (UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, Princeton), or faith-based communities. Key stra.
Kanoff Family Foundation is headquartered in LOS ANGELES, CA. While based in CA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 13 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris M Kanoff | Pres/Director | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Mary Ellen Kanoff | Treas/Director | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Katherine C Kanoff Wulff | Secretary | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$672K
Total Assets
$10.7M
Fair Market Value
$18.6M
Net Worth
$10.6M
Grants Paid
$602K
Contributions
$1.7M
Net Investment Income
$1.6M
Distribution Amount
$793K
Total: $8.5M
Total Grants
101
Total Giving
$2.5M
Average Grant
$25K
Median Grant
$5K
Unique Recipients
46
Most Common Grant
$5K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChrysalisProvides and secures jobs for homeless. | Los Angeles, CA | $30K | 2022 |
| Stanford UniversityTo promote the public welfare on behalf of humanity and civilization. | Stanford, CA | $210K | 2022 |
| Princeton UniversityTo promote the community of scholarship and learning. | Princeton, NJ | $100K | 2022 |
| St Matthew'S Parish SchoolPromote religious education. | Pacific Palisades, CA | $96K | 2022 |
| St John'S Health Center FoundationProvides leading-edge medicine and personalized care. | Santa Monica, CA | $66K | 2022 |
| The Farmlink ProjectFighting food insecurity. | Los Angeles, CA | $60K | 2022 |
| Youth IncTo transform the lives of NYC youth by empowering the nonprofits that serve them.? | New York, NY | $50K | 2022 |
| Prostate Cancer FoundationThe worlds leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating prostate cancer research. | Santa Monica, CA | $50K | 2022 |
| Uc Berkeley FoundationAssist UC Berkeley fundrasing of private gifts, support and advice to the University in promoting the pursuit of teaching, research, and public service. | Berkeley, CA | $21K | 2022 |
| Leukemia Lymphoma Society LlsThe mission of LLS is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. | Rye Brook, NY | $10K | 2022 |
| Corpus Christi Catholic ChurchPromote religious education. | Bonita, CA | $6K | 2022 |
| The People ConcernProvides integrated services to the most vulnerable and traumatized members of the community who are in need of assistance. | Los Angeles, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| St Martin-In-The-Fields ChurchReligious education | Winnetka | $5K | 2022 |
| Hawaii Community FoundationHCF is a steward of funds created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. | Honolulu, HI | $5K | 2022 |
| Jackson Hole Land TrustPreserve open space and the scenic, ranching, and wildlife values of Jackson Hole and western Wyoming | Jackson, WY | $5K | 2022 |
| Catholic Charities Of New YorkTo meet the needs of the neglected and underpriviledged in New York with compassion and respect. | New York, NY | $5K | 2022 |
| Mental Health Advocacy ServicesTo protect and advance the legal rights of low-income adults and children with mental health disabilities and empower them to assert those rights in order to maximize their autonomy, achieve equity, and secure the resources they need to thrive. | Los Angeles, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Harvard-Westlake SchoolPromote education and school's programs. | North Hollywood, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Visionary WomanTo unite and inspire a community of visionary female leaders in support of causes that lift up women and girls. | Beverly Hills, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Maranatha High SchoolEvangelical college prep school that celebrates the whole student by equipping hearts and minds to reflect God's glory through academics, the arts, athletics, and service. | Pasadena | $5K | 2022 |
| Boy Scouts Of AmericaTo provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to learn the responsibilities of participating in citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. | Los Angeles, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Missionary Oblates Of Mary ImmaculaTo serve those who are poor, sick, and in need across the United States and 70 countries around the world. | San Antonio, TX | $1K | 2022 |
| Lion'S HeartTo inspire teen volunteering and leadership for a new generation decidated to positive social impact. | Anaheim Hills, CA | $1K | 2022 |
| The Brianna Kupfer FoundationTo improve conditions for mankind by supporting sustainability, resiliency, social and environmental betterment, and the protection and empowerment of women. | Pacific Palisades, CA | $1K | 2022 |
| Dr Susan Love FoundationTo end breast cancer and improve the lives of people impacted by it now through education and advocacy. | West Hollywood, CA | $500 | 2022 |
| Saint Anne SchoolTo provide a quality Catholic education that encourages students to achieve excellence and model Christ. | Santa Monica, CA | $500 | 2022 |
MENLO PARK, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
PALO ALTO, CA