The Klarman Family Foundation

The Klarman Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Boston, MA.

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 directs its grantmaking to four areas: advancing understanding of the biological basis of health and illness; ensuring a healthy democracy; expanding access to vital services and enrichment opportunities; and supporting the global Jewish community. It provides general operating, project and capital support through annual and multi-year grants, often using unrestricted support to strengthen organisations and help them make a measurable difference. In Massachusetts, its community work includes the safety net, high-quality health care, children’s mental health and vibrant communities, with a particular focus on music education pathways for youth. It evaluates organisations’ strategies, effectiveness, leadership and financial position, alongside their board, planning, practices, goals and record of results.

Themes

• Biological basis of health
• Healthy democracy
• Vital services and enrichment
• Global Jewish community
• Music education pathways

Geographic Focus

Priority: Global Jewish community; Massachusetts.

What They Don't Fund

• Community Capital Fund only: Endowments or private foundations; religious organizations where the grant is to be used primarily for sectarian purposes

For the Community Capital Fund, applicants who meet the eligibility screening are directed to a First Stage Application covering the project and relevant financial documents.

Deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; grant decisions are typically made twice a year, in May and November.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 84% 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 910 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The Foundation evaluates leadership, board strength, planning and financial practices.
• It looks for clearly articulated goals and a record of assessing and achieving them.
• It considers whether an organisation’s mission and goals fit its areas of focus.
• The Foundation does not typically make grants toward endowments.
• The Community Capital Fund favours financially viable organisations with evidence of impact and resilience.
• The Community Capital Fund assesses whether projects are feasible, well planned and supported by realistic estimates and timelines.
• The Community Capital Fund values organisations that engage with and represent their communities, and projects that benefit those communities.
• The Crescendo Fund prioritises programmes providing high-quality sequential instrument instruction and sustained skill development.