Karp Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so an organisation that has not been invited should not send it a cold application.
- Where an invitation exists, a modest request fits its pattern: about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $2,000 and $160,000, and the median grant was $10,000, though the largest was about $2,000,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Most of its grant dollars, 93% in the filing, went to organisations it had also funded in the two earlier filings, so it has mostly backed existing grantees.
- Its recorded grants are concentrated in Massachusetts with a smaller share in New York, but no geographic focus is stated, so that pattern is a guide to past giving rather than a rule on who may apply.
- Its total giving fell in each year shown, from $4,426,490 to $2,012,884, so the pool may be smaller than in earlier years.
Overview
Karp Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Boston, MA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Its recorded grants went to a varied group of public charities. Recipients include hospitals and health organisations, schools and colleges, youth and family services, Jewish and other religious organisations, and arts and cultural bodies. Recorded purposes are given only as charitable contributions, so the recipient mix indicates examples of organisations that received support, rather than a stated set of funding priorities. The recorded grants were concentrated in Massachusetts, with a smaller share in New York and some other states elsewhere.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 93% 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 137 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to organisations Karp Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 13% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 31 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Facing History & Ourselves · Charitable contribution$500,0002024 tax year
- Union College · Charitable contribution$400,0002024 tax year
- Boston Youth Sanctuary · Charitable contribution$400,0002024 tax year
- Temple Beth Avodah · Charitable contribution$160,0002024 tax year
- Our Generation Speaks · Charitable contribution$60,0002024 tax year
- Theatre Workshop of Nantucket · Charitable contribution$60,0002024 tax year
- The Joey Fund · Charitable contribution$60,0002024 tax year
- William James · Charitable contribution$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jill E Karp — Trustee
- Stephen R Karp — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,497,454 | $4,426,490 | $852,467 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,239,326 | $4,144,929 | $536,800 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,065,651 | $2,012,884 | $917,856 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to Karp Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Boston, MA
Applying to Karp Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Boston, MA