Kenrose Kitchen Table Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8,202,667 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $4,000,000
• Geographic Focus: California, Massachusetts, Oregon
• Total Assets: $29,245,046

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
c/o Alti Global
601 Union Street, Suite 3315
Seattle, WA 98101

Physical Address:
2945 Townsgate Road, Suite 200
Westlake Village, CA 91361

EIN: 20-3951665

Note: Phone and email contact information is not publicly available. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Kenrose Kitchen Table Foundation was established in 2005 by J. David Power III and his family following the sale of J.D. Power and Associates, the renowned automotive and consumer research firm. Named after the family's home on Kenrose Circle in Westlake, California, where the Power business was born around the kitchen table, this private foundation honors both the family's entrepreneurial legacy and the memory of Julie Power, who battled multiple sclerosis for over 20 years before her death in 2002. With assets of approximately $29.2 million, the foundation distributed $8.2 million in grants in 2023 across 26 awards. The foundation's approach is deeply personal and family-driven, with all four of J.D. Power's children—Susan Curtin, Jonathan Power, Mary Power, and Jamey Power—along with some spouses, involved in decisions and relationships with grantees. The foundation focuses primarily on medical research (particularly multiple sclerosis), education (especially supporting underprivileged children), and organizations aligned with the family's values of service and opportunity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private, invitation-only grantmaker without formal application cycles or public grant programs. Recent major grants include:

• Julie Power Girls Division at Nativity School of Worcester: $3,000,000 (2023) - Supporting tuition-free education for girls in Central Massachusetts
• J.D. Power Center for Liberal Arts in the World at Holy Cross: $3,000,000 (2018) - Supporting experiential learning and internships
• National Coast Guard Museum: $1,000,000 - $2,499,999 - Supporting museum construction in New London, Connecticut
• Oregon State University: Endowed Faculty Scholar in Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine (2024)
• Boston Children's Hospital: Support for Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program

Priority Areas

Health & Medical Research:

• Multiple sclerosis research and support (in memory of Julie Power)
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society support
• Children's cardiac neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Organizations serving populations affected by complex health conditions

Education:

• Higher education institutions, particularly those with Power family connections (Holy Cross, Oregon State)
• Programs serving underprivileged children
• Tuition-free education initiatives
• Experiential learning and internship programs
• ESL and immigrant education (reflecting Julie Power's teaching legacy)

Veterans & Service:

• National Coast Guard Museum (Susan Curtin served as Coast Guard Reserve)
• Organizations honoring military service

What They Don't Fund

Based on their documented giving patterns, the foundation does not fund:

• Organizations outside their priority areas of health, education, and service
• Organizations outside California, Massachusetts, and Oregon (with rare exceptions)
• General operating support for organizations without direct family connections
• Projects unrelated to their core mission areas

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership:

• Susan J. Curtin '93 - President and Lead Director
  Holy Cross alumna, Coast Guard Reserve veteran (Third Class Petty Officer, Port Security), recipient of U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award. Serves as Chairman of National Coast Guard Museum Association. Active trustee at Holy Cross and board member of Golf Fights Cancer.

• James D. "Dave" Power IV - Chief Financial Officer
  Son of founder J.D. Power III, involved in Power Family Enterprises.

• Jonathan P. Power - Vice President
  Son of founder, actively involved in foundation decisions.

• Mary E. Power '90 - Secretary and Director
  Oregon State University alumna (1990), co-created endowed faculty scholar at OSU with spouse Erin Power.

Additional Family Involvement:
Jamey Power (daughter) and some spouses participate in grantmaking decisions. The foundation operates collaboratively with all four siblings maintaining relationships with grantees.

Founder:
J. David Power III (1931-2021) founded J.D. Power and Associates in 1968 with his wife Julie. Holy Cross Class of 1953, Wharton MBA. Established the foundation to honor his wife's legacy and support causes important to the family.

Compensation: All officers and trustees serve without compensation ($0 reported on Form 990).

Key Quote:
Susan Curtin on the family's philanthropic philosophy: "We both felt that we had been given certain opportunities in life and it was incumbent upon us to help people to have similar opportunities."

Jamey Power on family values: "We grew up being instilled with the values of the Jesuit education... It's so deeply woven into who we are."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to IRS filings, the Kenrose Kitchen Table Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grantmaking is conducted at the discretion of the Power family trustees, who identify and select organizations based on:

• Personal connections and family interests
• Organizations aligned with causes important to Julie and J.D. Power
• Institutions where family members have studied, served, or maintained long-term relationships
• Direct invitation from the foundation

The foundation made 26 grants in 2023, 36 grants in 2022, and 24 grants in 2021, demonstrating consistent but selective grantmaking.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: This foundation operates primarily through existing relationships and family connections. The following are specific, documented touchpoints based on research:

Educational Connections:

• College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA) - J.D. Power's alma mater where multiple family members attended; Susan Curtin is an active trustee
• Oregon State University - Mary Power's alma mater with active family engagement
• Institutions in Worcester, Massachusetts - Geographic area with deep Power family roots

Service Organizations:

• National Coast Guard Museum Association - Susan Curtin serves as Board Chair; foundation has made major gift commitments
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Longstanding support in memory of Julie Power
• Organizations supporting underprivileged children - Consistent with foundation's stated mission

Geographic Focus: Organizations in California (particularly Westlake Village area where family lived on Kenrose Circle), Massachusetts (particularly Worcester area where J.D. Power grew up), and Oregon (where Mary Power attended university) receive priority consideration.

Family Values Alignment: The foundation gravitates toward organizations that reflect:

• Jesuit educational values (service, social justice, cura personalis)
• Support for underprivileged or immigrant children (Julie Power's teaching focus)
• Military/veteran service recognition
• Scientific and medical research advancement
• Experiential learning and practical education

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating without formal application cycles, decisions are made at the discretion of family trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Note: While this foundation does not accept applications, the following insights reflect their documented grantmaking patterns and may be valuable for organizations seeking to understand their priorities:

What the Foundation Values

1. Personal Connection and Relationship Building All four Power siblings and some spouses are involved in decisions and relationships with grantees. The foundation prioritizes organizations where family members can maintain direct engagement rather than arms-length funding.

2. Alignment with Julie Power's Legacy Julie Power was a teacher who volunteered teaching ESL to immigrant children and battled MS for over 20 years. Organizations serving these populations or advancing MS research resonate deeply with the family.

3. Educational Access and Equity The $3 million gift to Nativity School of Worcester established "the first tuition-free, private education for girls in Central Massachusetts." The foundation seeks transformative impact in expanding educational opportunity.

4. Jesuit Values and Liberal Arts Education Jamey Power stated: "We grew up being instilled with the values of the Jesuit education... It's so deeply woven into who we are." Organizations reflecting these values (service, social justice, whole-person development) align with family identity.

5. Experiential and Practical Learning Susan Curtin on the Holy Cross gift: "We saw an exponential opportunity here... to help enhance the visibility of the programming." The foundation values education that combines liberal arts with real-world application.

6. Multi-Generational Impact The foundation seeks to create lasting legacies - naming opportunities like the Julie Power Girls Division, the J.D. Power Center, and endowed faculty scholars that will impact students for generations.

7. Organizations Supporting Children's Health Support for Boston Children's Hospital Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program reflects concern for children facing complex medical challenges.

Recent Grantmaking Patterns

Large, Transformative Gifts:

• Multiple $3 million gifts (Nativity School, Holy Cross)
• Seven-figure commitments to National Coast Guard Museum
• Pattern suggests preference for major impact over numerous small grants

Geographic Concentration: Strong preference for Massachusetts (Worcester area), California (Westlake/Calabasas area), and Oregon.

Institutional Loyalty: Repeated support to institutions with long-term family connections rather than one-time grants to new organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - all funding is initiated by the family trustees. There is no application portal, proposal process, or letter of inquiry system.

• Relationship-based grantmaking - The four Power siblings and some spouses maintain direct relationships with grantees. Organizations funded typically have pre-existing connections to family members through education, service, or personal networks.

• Geographic focus matters - Massachusetts (especially Worcester), California (especially Westlake Village area), and Oregon receive priority. Organizations outside these states are rarely funded unless they have exceptional family connection.

• Mission alignment is non-negotiable - Organizations must align with one of three core areas: (1) multiple sclerosis/health research, (2) education for underprivileged children, or (3) service/veterans organizations. Projects outside these areas are not considered.

• Transformative scale preferred - Recent grants of $3 million suggest the foundation prefers fewer, larger, transformational gifts over numerous small grants. The 26 grants in 2023 totaling $8.2 million indicates average grant size over $315,000.

• Legacy and naming opportunities resonate - The Julie Power Girls Division, J.D. Power Center, and Erin and Mary Power Endowed Faculty Scholar demonstrate family interest in creating named legacies that honor family members.

• Educational institutions with family ties - Holy Cross (J.D. Power and Susan Curtin), Oregon State (Mary Power), and Worcester-area schools receive particular attention. Alumni connections create pathways to consideration.

References

1. Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/203951665 (Accessed February 2026)

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203951665 (Form 990 filings, financial data) (Accessed February 2026)

3. Foundation Directory (Candid): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KENR003 (Accessed February 2026)

4. Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-kenrose-kitchen-table-foundation,203951665/ (Financial and organizational data) (Accessed February 2026)

5. Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/kenrose-kitchen-table-foundation (Grant statistics) (Accessed February 2026)

6. Power Fades Magazine - "Mentored brilliantly, Susan Curtin proves that giving back is not a lost art": https://www.powerfades.com/features/1ca5abbc-22ef-4aca-becd-0b96ce9e12fd (Susan Curtin profile and foundation mission) (Accessed February 2026)

7. Holy Cross Magazine - "Real-World Experience: $3 Million Gift from the J.D. Power III '53 Family": https://magazine.holycross.edu/stories/real-world-experience-3-million-gift-jd-power-iii-53-family-helps-students-take-their (Gift details and family quotes) (Accessed February 2026)

8. Worcester Business Journal - "Nativity School of Worcester gifted $3M, renames boys division": https://www.wbjournal.com/article/nativity-school-of-worcester-gifted-3m-renames-boys-division-after-co-founder (Nativity School gift details) (Accessed February 2026)

9. Nativity School of Worcester - Julie Power Girls Division Announcement: https://nativityworcester.org/julie-power-girls-division/ (Gift details and Julie Power background) (Accessed February 2026)

10. National Coast Guard Museum Association - Board & Wall of Philanthropy: https://cgmuseumassociation.org/boards-and-committees/ (Susan Curtin leadership role and foundation gift level) (Accessed February 2026)

11. The Auto Channel - "Julie P. Power Succumbs to Valiant Battle With MS": https://www.theautochannel.com/news/2002/04/15/038797.html (Julie Power background, MS battle) (Accessed February 2026)

12. For Oregon State - "Erin and Mary Power Endowed Faculty Scholar": https://fororegonstate.org/stay-informed/impact-stories/detail/erin-and-mary-power-endowed-faculty-scholar (Mary Power background and Oregon gift) (Accessed February 2026)

13. Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/203951665-kenrose-kitchen-table-foundation/ (Grant activity data) (Accessed February 2026)