Michelson Philanthropies creates transformative opportunities, makes positive impact investments, and fosters strategic partnerships supporting vulnerable or underserved communities.
WHAT WE DO
Fund forward-thinking medical research
Support animal welfare
Promote equity and access to education for all
Advance intellectual property education
OUR IMPACT
Make impact investments that spur innovation
Operate programs that fix broken systems
Make catalytic grants to high-reward opportunities
Drive progress through education and advocacy
Through compelling research and actionable tools, our goal is to build a stronger rental housing industry and a more pet-positive world.

SPARK A DIALOGUE
Our survey found that 92% of renters and 93% of rental housing operators agree pets are important members of the family. We will use this positive connection with animals to drive the conversation, working together to help rewrite decades-old policies and find homes that keep pets and people together.

SHARE DATA
83% of property managers say pet-friendly vacancies fill faster. There’s a clear financial advantage for rental housing operators – and it could lead to millions more pets finding good homes.

EDUCATE
Through relevant research, resources and tools, we want to help the rental housing industry explore pet-friendly opportunities, while also supporting pet owners in being a positive part of their community.
UPCOMING EVENT
CONNECTING CALIFORNIA: SOLVING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Join the Michelson 20MM Foundation alongside California’s leading digital equity advocates and community champions for a special town hall conversation on ending digital discrimination.

RECENT News
From Immigrant to Entrepreneur: Lola Adeyemo’s Journey of Success
In the second episode of Beautiful Journey, Alya is joined by Lola Adeyemo, the CEO & founder of EQIMindset. Lola embarked on a life-changing adventure from Nigeria to the United States to pursue a university degree. But her journey was about more than academics; it was a transformative experience that revealed unexpected lessons along the way.
Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative: Monthly News Roundup – September 2023
By Michelson Found Animals (Blog posts originally published on petsandhousing.org) September has been an active month for the Pet Inclusive...
Michelson 20MM Foundation: Monthly News Roundup – September 2023
By Michelson 20MM Foundation (Blog posts originally published on 20mm.org) The Michelson 20MM Foundation is widening access to education by...
Michelson Prize Recipient Dr. Murad Mamedov Advances Research on T Cells with New Nature Study
“When I was around the age of 14, I saw a profile in a magazine about an immunologist who was doing exciting work,” says 2019 Michelson Prizes awardee Murad Mamedov, Ph.D. “It was very interestingly framed in the context of this ongoing struggle that is constantly happening in the human body.”
Gina Knepp: A Champion for Animal Welfare
“When the leader has optimism and energy and is willing to work hard, those things rub off on people. [At Front Street,] we built excitement around saving animals’ lives.” – Gina Knepp
RECENT VIDEOS
A Journey of Empowerment: Lola Adeyemo’s Inspiring Story
About This Episode In this inspiring episode of Beautiful Journey, Host Alya Michelson joins Lola Adeyemo, CEO & Founder of EQIMindset, who...
Foundation for California Community Colleges Presents Determined Voices Part 1: Katherine’s Story
Meet Katherine Z., a proud alumna of both Orange Coast College and Cypress College. Katherine’s journey is one of strength, perseverance, and resilience. She shares her experience in building a new life as an immigrant in the US and the impact education had on her successes.
Voice of America: Journalist Ksenia Turkova’s Journey from Kyiv
In the season premiere, host Alya Michelson welcomes Ksenia Turkova, a Voice of America journalist with over 20 years of experience in TV and radio.
Better Neighbor Project: Victoria Piar Fostering Change in the LA Pet Community
The Better Neighbor Project is made possible by its dedicated team, led by the driven Victoria Piar, Program Manager of BNP. A humanitarian at heart, she firmly believes that “everyone deserves the joy of pet ownership.”
Meet Moggie: A Smart Wearable Health Device for Cats
Moggie has built the first cat-only health wearable that uses advanced machine learning technology to translate cat actions and behavior into simple health insights. This is important because a vast number of serious conditions (like arthritis, hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes, etc.) manifest in subtle behavioral changes but are usually difficult to notice.