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Kraft Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$9.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $50.0M

Kraft Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.57 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $500 - Several million (average ~$100,000)
  • Total Assets: $27.97 million (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts priority; national and international reach
  • Founded: 1951 (IRS ruling year 1953)
  • Application Method: Letter-based, rolling applications

Contact Details

For the related New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, contact Donna Spigarolo at 508-384-9492 for application information.

Overview

The Kraft Family Foundation was established in 1951 by Robert K. Kraft, founder, Chairman & CEO of The Kraft Group, and his late wife Myra. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Kraft family, whose lifetime charitable commitments approach nearly $1 billion. With approximately $28 million in assets as of 2023, the foundation distributed $9.57 million in grants during that fiscal year.

The foundation has evolved from its original focus to become a "more well-rounded funder," expanding grantmaking across multiple focus areas while maintaining Massachusetts as its priority region. In December 2023, Robert Kraft added $100 million to the foundation's coffers specifically designated for combating antisemitism. The foundation operates alongside related philanthropic vehicles including the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, the Kraft Center for Community Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism (FCAS).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catalyst Gifts Program Over seven years, the foundation has provided more than $13 million in catalyst opportunities, supporting close to 100 nonprofit organizations. Focus areas include:

  • Anti-violence efforts
  • Educational opportunity
  • Quality healthcare access
  • Workplace development

Endowment Grants The foundation has established more than three dozen permanent endowments at educational, healthcare, and social service organizations. Notable examples include:

  • $50 million: Robert K. Kraft Endowed Chair in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Massachusetts General Hospital
  • $24 million: Harvard Business School fellowship fund (2022)
  • $20 million: Partners HealthCare endowment for community health center leadership
  • $20 million: Harvard Business School for Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator

Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards (through Patriots Foundation partnership)

  • Annual recognition of 26 volunteers
  • $275,000 distributed annually
  • 25 organizations receive $10,000 each
  • One grand prize winner receives $25,000
  • Since inception: 525+ volunteers recognized; $4+ million donated

Priority Areas

  • Jewish Causes: Largest funding category; support for organizations in the US and Israel
  • Healthcare & Public Health: Community health centers, precision medicine, cancer care equity
  • Higher Education: Particularly alumni institutions (Harvard, Columbia)
  • Youth Development: Boys & Girls Clubs, youth leadership programs
  • Arts and Culture: Dance, theater, museums
  • Community Development: Boston-area emphasis
  • Combating Antisemitism and Hate: Major new priority with $100 million commitment

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list explicit exclusions. However, based on grantmaking patterns:

  • The foundation prioritizes Massachusetts-based organizations
  • Organizations outside their core focus areas may have limited success
  • The foundation appears to favor organizations with existing connections to the Kraft family or their networks

Governance and Leadership

Officers (no compensation recorded)

  • Robert K. Kraft - President, Treasurer & Director: Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Kraft Group; owner of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution
  • Joshua M. Kraft - Clerk & Director: Chair of Kraft Family Charities; former President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
  • Jonathan A. Kraft - Assistant Clerk & Director: President of The Kraft Group and New England Patriots; Chair of Mass General's Board of Trustees
  • Daniel A. Kraft - Assistant Clerk & Director: President of International Forest Products; board member of Dana-Farber

Foundation Philosophy

From Josh Kraft: "We learned at an early age that we had a pretty good life, so my family and their philanthropy, between my mother and my dad and brothers, was about providing access to opportunity for those who don't have that access or support... It's important for all of us, for our communities to be whole, and that everybody has the same chance at opportunity."

The foundation's approach is governed by "the principle of creating equity for the most vulnerable populations" and supporting "initiatives that provide equity, create opportunities, facilitate social and economic mobility and create social safety nets where they do not currently exist."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Kraft Family Foundation accepts unsolicited applications year-round via letter format. There is no formal online portal or detailed application guidelines publicly available.

To Apply:

  1. Submit a letter describing your organization and funding request
  2. Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  3. Direct inquiries to:

Note: The foundation "keeps a low profile" and lacks a website detailing specific grantmaking strategies and priorities, which Inside Philanthropy notes suggests limited transparency for new applicants.

Getting on Their Radar

This foundation operates somewhat opaquely, making relationship-building particularly important:

  • Board Connections: The Kraft family has extensive board positions across major Boston institutions. Jonathan Kraft serves on Mass General's Board of Trustees; Robert and Daniel Kraft serve on the Dana-Farber board.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs Network: Josh Kraft's leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston represents a potential avenue for youth-focused organizations.
  • Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards: Organizations can be recognized through the annual volunteer awards program run in partnership with the Patriots Foundation, which provides $10,000-$25,000 grants.
  • Kraft Center Partnerships: Healthcare organizations may connect through the Kraft Center for Community Health's network of community health centers across Massachusetts.

Decision Timeline

No publicly documented timeline for grant decisions. Given the foundation's informal letter-based process, response times likely vary.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation received minimal contributions ($335 in 2023) suggesting it operates primarily from existing assets and does not actively solicit donations.

Reapplication Policy

No publicly documented reapplication policy.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and grantmaking patterns:

Strong Alignment Indicators:

  • Organizations based in Massachusetts, particularly Greater Boston
  • Programs addressing healthcare access for underserved populations
  • Youth development initiatives, especially those connected to Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Jewish community organizations and causes
  • Organizations combating antisemitism or hate
  • Programs creating pathways to economic mobility and opportunity

Recent Catalyst Gift Partners (successful applicants):

  • Crossroads
  • Benjamin Franklin Institute
  • Breakthrough Greater Boston
  • Casa Myrna
  • FamilyAid Boston
  • Foster Forward
  • Friends of the Children Boston
  • HopeWell
  • Hyde Square Task Force
  • Sociedad Latina
  • Veterans Legal Services

What the Foundation Values: The Kraft family emphasizes "providing access to opportunity for those who don't have that access or support." Applications should demonstrate:

  • Clear focus on creating equity for vulnerable populations
  • Programs that facilitate social and economic mobility
  • Initiatives that create "social safety nets where they do not currently exist"
  • Evidence of community impact

Approach Considerations: Robert Kraft reportedly "wants the focus to be on the nonprofits and not on him" and has interest in "nonprofits doing good work but that may not be getting attention."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Relationship-building is essential: Without detailed public guidelines, connecting through existing networks (board members, previous grantees, community partners) significantly improves chances of success.

  2. Massachusetts organizations have an advantage: While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, Massachusetts-based nonprofits are prioritized.

  3. Focus on equity and opportunity: Frame your work around creating access, removing barriers, and building social safety nets for underserved populations.

  4. Healthcare access is a major priority: Robert Kraft's "compassion is driven by a belief that everyone—regardless of their socioeconomic status—should have access to quality healthcare."

  5. Consider the Myra Kraft MVP Awards pathway: Organizations can gain visibility through the annual volunteer recognition program, which provides meaningful grants ($10,000-$25,000).

  6. Don't overlook smaller grassroots organizations: Kraft's 2014 "surprise gift" program specifically sought out "nonprofits doing good work but that may not be getting attention."

  7. Jewish causes receive significant support: This is the foundation's largest funding category, with expanded resources recently dedicated to combating antisemitism.

References

Research conducted December 2025

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