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Robert S Kaplan Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.0M

Robert S Kaplan Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,970,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New York
  • Total Assets: $78.9 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 73, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY 10274

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustee.

Overview

The Robert S Kaplan Foundation (EIN: 13-3637444) is a private foundation established in September 1992 and based in New York, NY. With total assets of $78.9 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $2.97 million in grants in 2024, representing 94.6% of its annual expenses. The foundation consistently allocates over 89% of expenses toward charitable purposes. Founded and led by Robert Steven Kaplan, former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs and current co-chairman of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, this private foundation serves as his personal philanthropic vehicle. The foundation's revenue derives primarily from investment income, including contributions, dividends, and asset sales, with no ongoing public fundraising activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee to organizations aligned with the foundation's interests.

Priority Areas

Based on available records and the founder's documented philanthropic interests, the foundation supports:

  • Jewish Organizations: Including Jewish theological seminaries and related causes
  • Higher Education: Support for universities and educational institutions, particularly Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Columbia University, and University of Kansas
  • Educational Access Programs: Organizations like The TEAK Fellowship and Global Citizen Year
  • Health and Medical Research: Including organizations focused on ALS research (Project ALS)
  • Human Services: Support for organizations addressing sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, hunger relief, and youth services
  • Examples of past grantees (based on published reports): Joyful Heart Foundation, Share Our Strength, The Rape Foundation, Henry Street Settlement, Cradles to Crayons, Clinton Health Access Initiative

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, the foundation does not provide explicit exclusions. However, grants appear focused on established organizations with clear social impact rather than general operating support for small or startup nonprofits (which are instead supported through the separate Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation).

Governance and Leadership

Robert Steven Kaplan serves as trustee of the foundation with no reported compensation.

Background: Kaplan is a prominent American economist and philanthropist who served as vice chairman of Goldman Sachs during a 23-year tenure (1983-2006) in various leadership roles. He later served as President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (2015-2021). Kaplan graduated from the University of Kansas (1979) and Harvard Business School (1983). He currently serves on the faculty of Harvard Business School as the Martin Marshall Professor of Management Practice.

Additional Leadership Roles:

  • Chairman, Project ALS
  • Co-Chairman, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
  • Board Member, Harvard Medical School

Philanthropic Philosophy: In 2008, Kaplan established the Robert S. Kaplan Life Sciences Fellowships at Harvard Business School, providing $20,000 awards to ten incoming MBA students annually, demonstrating his commitment to developing future leaders in healthcare and life sciences.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee, Robert Steven Kaplan, based on his personal knowledge of organizations and causes aligned with his philanthropic interests.

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, maintain a website, or provide application guidelines. All grantmaking decisions are made internally by the trustee.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations interested in potential support should focus on:

Alignment with Known Interests: Organizations working in the foundation's documented priority areas (Jewish causes, higher education, health/medical research, human services, educational access) are most likely to receive consideration.

Existing Connections: Grants appear to flow to organizations where Robert Steven Kaplan has existing board involvement, alumni relationships, or professional connections. For example, significant support has gone to:

  • Harvard institutions (Harvard Business School, Harvard Medical School) where Kaplan serves on faculty and boards
  • Project ALS, where he serves as chairman
  • Organizations aligned with his Goldman Sachs network and professional relationships

Established Track Record: The foundation supports established organizations with demonstrated impact rather than early-stage nonprofits. Organizations seeking early-stage venture philanthropy funding should instead consider the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, which has a public application process.

Geographic Connection: While the foundation supports national causes, there appears to be a concentration of giving in New York (foundation's home base) and Massachusetts (where Kaplan maintains academic affiliations).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made entirely at trustee discretion.
  • Relationship-Driven: Funding flows primarily through Robert Steven Kaplan's existing professional and board relationships, not through competitive application processes.
  • Substantial Resources: With $78.9 million in assets and approximately $3 million in annual grantmaking, the foundation has significant capacity but limited accessibility.
  • Focus on Established Organizations: Unlike the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (which focuses on early-stage social enterprises), the Robert S Kaplan Foundation supports established institutions and organizations.
  • Education and Health Emphasis: Strong preference for higher education (particularly at elite institutions) and health-related causes, especially ALS research.
  • Jewish Philanthropy: Documented priority for Jewish organizations and theological education.
  • Alternative Pathway: Organizations seeking venture philanthropy funding should apply to the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (drkfoundation.org), which has an open application process and reviews approximately 3,000 applications annually to fund about 20 organizations with up to $300,000 over three years.

References

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