Tsao Family Foundation
The Tsao Family Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 2004 and headquartered in Corona Del Mar, California. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$122.9M
+40.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
+33.1% YoY
Grant Count
22
+4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$233K
+27.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tsao Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on the conviction that a flourishing life is possible for all through the continual alignment of inner intention with outward action, grounded in compassion, love, and wisdom. The foundation believes change begins from within, shaping individuals, communities, and the environment.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Arts & Culture
- Children/Youth & Families
- Health & Wellness
- Climate and just energy transition
- Culture & Mindfulness
- Science and STEM Education
- Human Services
The foundation embraces catalytic, innovative philanthropy aimed at creating systemic, sustainable mindset change through evidence-based, community-rooted solutions.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$50,000
Average Grant
$164,200
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Texas, and Tennessee, with some national and international giving.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $122,862,380
- Total Revenues: $41,341,465
- Total Expenses: $7,179,533
- Total Giving: $5,134,835
Historical Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $87.5 million
- Total Revenues: $3.52 million
- Total Expenses: $4.36 million
- Total Liabilities: $987,000
Annual Giving Range: $1 million - $2.99 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $122,862,380 | $87,539,098 | $84,460,412 |
| Revenue | $41,341,465 | $3,520,915 | $11,410,781 |
| Expenses | $7,179,533 | $4,364,472 | $4,567,564 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,147,755 | $4,217,875 | $3,447,639 |
| Net Investment Income | $14,706,864 | $3,284,777 | $1,960,262 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,870,069 | $4,364,832 | $3,854,011 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
99 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Choc Foundation ($1,640,000), Orange County Community Foundation ($1,320,000), The Purpose of Recovery ($606,700).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CALIF INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSOC PASADENA, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CHARITABLE VENTURES OF ORANGE CNTY SANTA ANA, CA | SUPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSES | $157,500 |
| CHOC FOUNDATION ORANGE, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,640,000 |
| HOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION NEWPORT BEACH, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $200,000 |
| ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| IRVINE CANAAN CHRISTIAN COMM CHURCH IRVINE, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $138,000 |
| ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NEWPORT BEACH, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,320,000 |
| PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY MALIBU, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $75,000 |
| RENEWAL FOUNDATION DIAMOND BAR, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $261,335 |
| THE PURPOSE OF RECOVERY TUSTIN, CA | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT PURPOSE | $606,700 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Michael Liyoung Tsao — President
- Steven Lidah Tsao — CFO
- Janie Tsao — Foundation Manager
- Priyanka Agarwal — Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHEAEL LIYOUNG TSAO | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| STEVEN TSAO | CFO | 1 | — |
| JANIE TSAO | FOUNDATION MANAGER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated significant philanthropic activity in recent years:
Awarded a $2 million grant to CHOC Children's Foundation to expand school-based mental health services, representing a major commitment to mental health support in educational settings
AAR Announces Visionary Gift of Nearly $5 Million from the Tsao Family FoundationProvided a nearly $5 million visionary gift to the American Academy in Rome, supporting cultural and educational initiatives
AAR Announces Visionary Gift of Nearly $5 Million from the Tsao Family FoundationContinues active grantmaking with 12 grants documented in 2024
The foundation maintains an active presence and regularly updates its grantmaking priorities and activities.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tsao Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on the conviction that a flourishing life is possible for all through the continual alignment of inner intention with outward action, grounded in compassion, love, and wisdom. The foundation believes change begins from within, shaping individuals, communities, and the environment. Primary funding focus areas include: • **Education** • **Arts & Culture** • **Children/Youth & Families** • **Health & Wellness** • **Climate and just energy transition** • **Culture &…
How do I apply for a grant from Tsao Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 12-20 grants in recent years • Typical grant awards range from $2,500 to $1,640,000 • Median grant size: $50,000 • Average grant size: $164,200 **Recent Grants (2024):** • CHOC Foundation: $1,640,000 (Support of Charitable Organizations Exempt Purpose) • Purpose of Recovery: $606,700 (Support of Charitable Organizations Exempt Purpose) • China Institute in America Incorporated: $340,000 (Support of Charitable Organizations Exempt Purpose) **Notable Recent Grants:** • …
Where does Tsao Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Texas, and Tennessee, with some national and international giving.
What size grants does Tsao Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Tsao Family Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $5.1M — an average of about $233K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tsao Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tsao Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tsao Family Foundation's EIN?
Tsao Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2043022. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tsao Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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