Robert S Kaplan Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,495,790 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: Varies by programme
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on New York
• Total Assets: $76.4 million (2023)

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 $76.4 million as of 2023, the foundation distributed $3.5 million in grants in 2023, representing 98.7% of its annual expenses. Founded and led by Robert Steven Kaplan, former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs (1983-2006), former President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (2015-2021), and current vice chairman of Goldman Sachs (rejoined 2024), this private foundation serves as his personal philanthropic vehicle. Kaplan also serves as co-chairman of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. The foundation's revenue derives primarily from investment income, including contributions, dividends, and asset sales, with no ongoing public fundraising activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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

Priority Areas

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

• Jewish Organisations: 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 Programmes: Organisations like The TEAK Fellowship and Global Citizen Year
• Health and Medical Research: Including organisations focused on ALS research (Project ALS)
• Human Services: Support for organisations 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 organisations 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) and rejoined Goldman Sachs as vice chairman in 2024. Kaplan graduated from the University of Kansas (1979) and Harvard Business School (1983). He previously served 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

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 organisations 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, organisations interested in potential support should focus on:

Alignment with Known Interests: Organisations 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 organisations 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 has served on faculty and boards
• Project ALS, where he serves as chairman
• Organisations aligned with his Goldman Sachs network and professional relationships

Established Track Record: The foundation supports established organisations with demonstrated impact rather than early-stage nonprofits. Organisations 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 $76.4 million in assets and approximately $3.5 million in annual grantmaking, the foundation has significant capacity but limited accessibility.
• Focus on Established Organisations: Unlike the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (which focuses on early-stage social enterprises), the Robert S Kaplan Foundation supports established institutions and organisations.
• 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 organisations and theological education.
• Alternative Pathway: Organisations seeking venture philanthropy funding should apply to the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (drkfoundation.org), which has an open application process and reviews nearly 3,000 applications annually to fund up to 20 organisations with up to $300,000 over three years.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Robert S Kaplan Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133637444 (Accessed December 2024)
• Cause IQ: Robert S Kaplan Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/robert-s-kaplan-foundation,133637444/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Inside Philanthropy: Robert Kaplan. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/wall-street-donors/robert-kaplan.html (Accessed December 2024)
• Wikipedia: Robert Steven Kaplan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Steven_Kaplan (Accessed December 2024)
• Harvard Business School Faculty Profile: Robert S. Kaplan. https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6487 (Accessed December 2024)
• Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation: Robert Steven Kaplan. https://www.drkfoundation.org/team-member/robert-steven-kaplan/ (Accessed December 2024)