The Klump Family Foundation Inc
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,618,750 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: $37,500 - $1,000,000
- Geographic Focus: Atlanta/Georgia, with some national reach
Contact Details
- Phone: (404) 364-2984
- Address: One Buckhead Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Contact Person: Michael Klump, President & Trustee
- Website: None available
- Email: Not publicly available
Overview
The Klump Family Foundation Inc, established in 2008 as a private family foundation, is a significant philanthropic force in the Atlanta area with over $20.7 million in total assets. Founded by Michael Klump, founder and Chairman of Argonne Capital Group, the foundation has awarded over $8.5 million in grants since 2016 across 215 individual awards. The foundation demonstrates exceptional commitment to its charitable mission, consistently dedicating 96-98% of its annual expenses directly to charitable disbursements. Operating without a public application process, the foundation makes strategic grants primarily to organizations in health, education, and military support sectors, with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta being a signature beneficiary receiving multi-million dollar support.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges:
- Major Gifts: $500,000 - $1,000,000 (for signature organizations like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)
- Mid-Level Support: $50,000 - $150,000 (universities, established nonprofits)
- Standard Grants: $37,500 - $75,000 (various charitable organizations)
Priority Areas
- Healthcare: Major support for children's health initiatives, particularly Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
- Higher Education: Universities including Washington University and University of Colorado
- Military Support: Special Forces Scholarship Fund and veteran organizations
- Youth Development: Programs supporting children and youth services
- Mental Health: Organizations like Skyland Trail
- Community Support: Crisis response funds including COVID-19 relief efforts
What They Don't Fund
Information about funding exclusions is not publicly available. Based on grant history, the foundation appears to focus on established 501(c)(3) organizations rather than individuals or for-profit entities.
Governance and Leadership
Michael Klump - President & Trustee
- Founder and Chairman of Argonne Capital Group (since 2003)
- Specializes in private investment in multi-unit restaurant, retail, and service industries
- Leads the foundation with a small committee managing philanthropic pledges
Elizabeth Klump - Involved in foundation activities alongside her husband
The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, maintaining a lean structure typical of family foundations where trustees directly oversee all grant decisions.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their knowledge of organizations and existing relationships within the philanthropic community.
Getting on Their Radar
Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership background:
- The foundation has shown particular interest in organizations where Michael Klump serves on boards or has business connections through Argonne Capital Group
- They have consistently supported Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, suggesting strong institutional relationships
- Organizations in the Atlanta business and philanthropic community may have opportunities to connect through shared networks
- Given Michael Klump's role at Argonne Capital Group, organizations may encounter foundation leadership at Atlanta business and civic events
Decision Timeline
Not publicly available - decisions appear to be made on a rolling basis throughout the year based on 990 filing patterns.
Success Rates
Not publicly available as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable due to invitation-only grant process.
Application Success Factors
Since the foundation operates without a public application process, organizations seeking support should focus on:
- Established Track Record: The foundation's grant history shows preference for well-established organizations with proven impact, particularly those with strong reputations in the Atlanta community
- Healthcare and Education Focus: Organizations working in children's health, higher education, or military support align most closely with demonstrated funding priorities
- Atlanta Connection: While they make some national grants, the majority of funding stays within the Atlanta metropolitan area
- Scale of Impact: The foundation makes both transformational gifts ($1 million+) to signature organizations and smaller strategic grants, suggesting they evaluate both organizational capacity and specific project needs
- Crisis Response Capability: Their $1 million COVID-19 response grant demonstrates willingness to make large, rapid deployments for emergency needs
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a relationship-based funder without a public application process - cold applications will not be successful
- Focus on building connections within Atlanta's philanthropic and business communities where the Klumps are active
- The foundation makes substantial multi-year commitments to organizations they trust, as evidenced by repeated support to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
- With 96-98% of expenses going to charitable purposes, this foundation prioritizes direct impact over administrative complexity
- Consider approaching through mutual connections in healthcare, education, or military support sectors where the foundation has demonstrated interest
- The foundation responds to both ongoing operational needs and crisis situations with appropriately scaled support
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Klump Family Foundation Inc Form 990-PF filings (Accessed January 2025) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205756777
- Cause IQ - The Klump Family Foundation Profile and Grant History (Accessed January 2025) https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-klump-family-foundation,205756777/
- United Way of Greater Atlanta - "Klump Family Foundation's Significant Gift Helps Those Affected by Pandemic" (2020) https://unitedwayatlanta.org/klump-family-foundations-significant-gift-to-united-way-helps-those-affected-by-pandemic/
- Instrumentl - Klump Family Foundation Inc 990 Report Analysis (Accessed January 2025) https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/klump-family-foundation-inc
- GrantStation - Klump Family Foundation Funder Profile (Accessed January 2025) https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/klump-family-foundation
- Charity Navigator - The Klump Family Foundation Inc Rating and Financial Information (Accessed January 2025) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/205756777