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Kars 4 Kids Inc

Annual Giving
$36.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
5mo

Kars 4 Kids Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $36,172,067 (2023)
  • Small Grant Range: $500 - $5,000
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months (up to 12 months possible)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (all 50 states)
  • Application Method: Rolling online applications
  • Organizations Supported: 300+ charities through Small Grant Program
  • Children Impacted: 10,000+ through Small Grant Program

Contact Details

Small Grant Program Website: www.kars4kidsgrants.org

Main Organization: 1805 Swarthmore Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Note: The Small Grant Program does not provide individual phone consultations or application-specific feedback.

Overview

Founded in 1994 and based in Lakewood, New Jersey, Kars 4 Kids Inc (EIN 22-3746050) is a fundraising organization that distributed $36,172,067 in grants in 2023. While the vast majority of their grantmaking goes to their sister organization Oorah (which focuses on Jewish youth and families), Kars4Kids also operates the Small Grant Program specifically designed to support secular, nonsectarian nonprofit organizations working with children outside their core beneficiary group. To date, the Small Grant Program has supported 300+ charities across 42 states, distributed over $250,000 in grants, and impacted 10,000+ children. The program focuses on education, youth development, and mentorship initiatives. Kars4Kids received a Two-Star rating from Charity Navigator (71%) and gold transparency marking from GuideStar in 2024. According to 2021 data, 40 nonprofits were awarded grants through the Small Grant Program that year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Kars4Kids Small Grant Program

  • Grant Amount: Typically $5,000 per approved organization (historically ranged $500-$2,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling online applications accepted year-round
  • Focus: Education, youth development, and mentorship programs for children

Primary Grantmaking The organization's primary grantmaking activity involves funding Oorah, their sister organization. In 2023, Kars4Kids made a cash grant of $34,123,050 and a noncash grant of $1,365,855 to Oorah, which operates educational programming, summer camps, mentorship programs, tuition assistance, and cultural activities for Jewish youth and families.

Priority Areas

The Small Grant Program specifically seeks organizations focused on:

  • Youth Development: After-school programs, safe spaces for growth, leadership development
  • Mentorship: Programs connecting youth with positive role models and guidance
  • Education: Tutoring, academic support, educational enrichment, literacy programs

The committee seeks "likeminded charities which share their values and are working hard to make a difference in the areas of education and youth development." Small grant recipients "each have something in common: they are helping a sector of deserving children that Kars4Kids would not ordinarily reach."

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious programming: Must be nonsectarian/secular in nature
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status: IRS-recognized nonprofit status required
  • Non-U.S. based organizations: Must be U.S.-based
  • Organizations not primarily serving children: Must have primary mission focused on serving children
  • Organizations that do not deliver "meaningful, mission-driven programs"

Governance and Leadership

Shared Leadership with Oorah: Kars4Kids and Oorah operate out of the same office in Lakewood, New Jersey, with overlapping staff including shared administrative personnel. Both organizations share the same President and CEO, Eliyahu Mintz.

Operational Structure: According to a 2017 Minnesota Attorney General compliance review, over 99.9% of the $90 million raised by Kars4Kids from 2012-2014 was spent on charitable programs under the direction or control of Oorah. The organizations function with Kars4Kids serving primarily as the fundraising arm.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grant Program Application Process:

  1. Submit Online Application at www.kars4kidsgrants.org

    • Complete online form with organization mission and programs overview
    • Attach 501(c)(3) determination letter
    • Provide brief summary of organization's work

  2. Review Process

    • Committee evaluates each submission
    • Decisions made case-by-case based on mission alignment and fund availability
    • Applicants should review the grantees page to understand types of organizations supported

  3. Award Notification

    • If approved, grant check arrives by mail
    • Organization will be interviewed and featured on Kars4Kids grants website

Important Notes:

  • No individual phone consultations provided
  • No application-specific feedback given
  • Applications not meeting eligibility criteria are reviewed and closed earlier in process
  • May not receive a response if application doesn't meet criteria for consideration

Decision Timeline

  • Standard Review Time: 4-6 months
  • Maximum Timeline: Up to one year due to large volume of requests
  • Notification Method: Mail (check sent) and follow-up interview if approved

Success Rates

  • 2021 Data: 40 nonprofits awarded grants
  • Overall Impact: 300+ charities supported since program inception
  • Specific success rate percentage: Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Given the rolling application process, organizations should contact the program directly for guidance on reapplication timelines.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical: The Small Grant Program emphasizes that determination is made "depending on factors like mission alignment and availability of funds." Organizations must demonstrate clear focus on children in areas of education, youth development, and mentorship.

Reaching Underserved Children: Successful grant recipients share a common characteristic - "they are helping a sector of deserving children that Kars4Kids would not ordinarily reach." This suggests the program prioritizes organizations serving children outside the Jewish community (since that's covered by Oorah).

Meaningful, Mission-Driven Work: The program seeks organizations that "deliver meaningful, mission-driven programs." Applications should clearly demonstrate impact and purpose rather than simply describing activities.

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal: Serves youth on the west side of Bloomington in central Illinois, "primarily serves youth who need it most" near industrial areas
  • National SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere): Awarded $500 for "incredible work in furthering the mission of violence prevention in schools and communities"
  • Changing Destinations/Global Citizens Academy: Programs include community service, feeding people in need, mentoring, and technology projects
  • National Safe Place Network: Serves homeless and runaway children

Nonsectarian Requirement: While Kars4Kids' primary mission supports Jewish youth through Oorah, the Small Grant Program explicitly requires "secular, non-religious programmatic focus." Applications must demonstrate nonsectarian programming.

Review Eligibility Carefully: Before applying, organizations should "review the grantees page to understand supported organizations." This demonstrates the importance of ensuring your organization fits their funding pattern.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Small but significant funding: With grants typically at $5,000, this is ideal for smaller organizations or specific project needs rather than major operational funding
  • Emphasize reaching underserved children: Highlight populations of children that may not be reached by other funders, particularly if outside typical service areas
  • Demonstrate clear mission alignment: Focus your application on education, youth development, or mentorship with specific examples of impact
  • Be patient with timeline: Budget 4-6 months minimum for decision, potentially up to one year given application volume
  • Prepare for visibility: If approved, expect to be interviewed and featured on their website - this is part of their process
  • Don't expect feedback: The program does not provide consultations or application-specific feedback, so make your first submission count
  • Rolling applications allow flexibility: No deadlines mean you can apply when it makes sense for your organization's planning cycle
  • Secular programming only: Despite Kars4Kids' religious affiliations through Oorah, the Small Grant Program requires nonsectarian programming

References

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