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Judith and Douglas Krupp Family Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.3M

Judith and Douglas Krupp Family Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,552,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $35.8 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000
  • Median Grant: $100,000
  • Number of Grants: 16 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts, New York, Washington D.C.
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

  • Address: One Beacon Street 21200, Boston, MA 02108-3107
  • Website: None publicly available
  • Phone: Not publicly listed
  • Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Judith and Douglas Krupp Family Charitable Foundation is a private non-operating foundation established in 1996 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The foundation was created by Douglas Krupp, co-founder and Vice-Chairman of the Berkshire Group (a major real estate investment and financial services firm), and his wife Judith.

The foundation has grown substantially over the years, with assets increasing from approximately $3.5 million in 2011 to $35.8 million in 2023. In 2023, the foundation received contributions of $24.9 million, representing significant growth in its endowment. The foundation distributes approximately $1.5-1.7 million annually through 10-16 grants, focusing primarily on Jewish organizations, environmental conservation, arts/theater, and social services. Douglas Krupp is a 1969 graduate of Bryant University and served as a university trustee; the couple donated generously to establish the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library at Bryant University, which opened in 2002.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants primarily in the following ranges:

  • Major Grants: $200,000 - $250,000 (typically for flagship organizations)
  • Standard Grants: $100,000 - $115,000 (most common grant size)
  • Smaller Grants: $25,000+ (entry-level support)

Grants are made at trustee discretion and appear to be awarded annually.

Priority Areas

Based on 2023 grant recipients, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Jewish Organizations: Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Funders Network, Vilna Shul Boston, JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee), UJA Federation of New York
  • Environmental Conservation: Scenic Hudson (multiple grants)
  • Arts & Theater: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Fund
  • Social Services & Education: Neighborhood Villages

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Based on giving patterns, they do not appear to fund:

  • Individual requests
  • Unsolicited applications from unknown organizations
  • Organizations outside their established relationships

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by a five-member board of trustees with no reported compensation:

  • Douglas Krupp (Trustee) - Co-founder and Vice-Chairman of the Berkshire Group, Bryant University graduate (1969) and Trustee
  • Judith Krupp (Trustee) - Co-founder of the foundation
  • Lawrence I. Silverstein (Trustee)
  • Richard Krupp (Trustee) - Family member
  • Alex Krupp (Trustee) - Family member

The Krupp family has strong ties to the Boston business community and Jewish philanthropic circles. Douglas Krupp and his brother George co-founded the Berkshire Group in 1969, which has grown into a major real estate and financial services conglomerate.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly stated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are made entirely at trustee discretion, typically to organizations with which the Krupp family has existing relationships or personal connections.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no formal pathway to becoming a grant recipient, potential strategies based on the foundation's giving patterns include:

  • Jewish Community Connections: Organizations active in Combined Jewish Philanthropies or Boston-area Jewish institutions may have visibility to the Krupps, given George Krupp's role as former campaign chair of Combined Jewish Philanthropies
  • Boston Hub Society: Douglas Krupp is a member of the Boston Hub Society, suggesting engagement with Boston's philanthropic community
  • Bryant University Network: Given Douglas Krupp's ongoing role as a Bryant University trustee, organizations connected to Bryant may have opportunities for visibility
  • Environmental Conservation: Organizations working in the Hudson Valley region, particularly on land conservation, align with their funding of Scenic Hudson

Decision Timeline

The foundation files Form 990 annually in November. Grant decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year at trustee discretion.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, "success factors" relate more to relationship building than application quality:

  • Established Reputation: The foundation supports well-established organizations with strong track records (Anti-Defamation League, UJA Federation, Scenic Hudson)
  • Jewish Community Alignment: Strong focus on Jewish causes, including anti-hate efforts, cultural preservation (Vilna Shul), and international Jewish support (JDC)
  • Geographic Connection: Focus on Massachusetts, New York, and Hudson Valley region
  • Arts & Culture: Support for performing arts, particularly theater (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival)
  • Multi-Year Relationships: Several grantees receive multiple grants in the same year (Scenic Hudson received three grants; Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival received two), suggesting ongoing partnerships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation operates entirely through trustee relationships and preselected organizations
  • Focus on established, reputable organizations - Grant recipients are typically well-known national or regional organizations
  • Strong Jewish philanthropic focus - Significant portion of grants support Jewish causes and organizations
  • Environmental and arts interests - Secondary focus on land conservation (particularly Hudson Valley) and performing arts
  • Boston/New York geographic concentration - Primary giving in Massachusetts and New York
  • Relationship-based funding - The only pathway to funding is through personal connections to the Krupp family or trustees
  • Substantial grant sizes - Median grant of $100,000 indicates support for significant organizational capacity

References

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