The Kopelman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.08 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $500,000 - $1,500,000 (typical awards)
• Geographic Focus: National (USA), with emphasis on Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan

Contact Details

• Location: Gladwyne, PA
• Website: Not available
• Phone: Not available
• Email: Not available

Overview

The Kopelman Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001 by venture capitalist Josh Kopelman and his wife Rena Kopelman, and based in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. With total assets of approximately $36.38 million as of 2023, the foundation distributes roughly $2 million annually in grants. The foundation operates under 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (IRS ruling year 2002) and is classified in the Philanthropy, Voluntarism and Grantmaking category. Led by trustees Joshua Kopelman and Rena Kopelman, the foundation has shown significant growth in assets and revenue in recent years. The foundation operates without full-time employees, suggesting a streamlined operation managed directly by the trustees.

The Kopelmans are particularly interested in projects that have not attracted significant attention and therefore have previously received limited financial support, providing start-up grants to social entrepreneurs.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation has provided ongoing support to Philadelphia-based organisations such as Coded by Kids, which provides computer science education to underserved students between the ages of 12 and 18. The foundation has also supported the Philadelphia Schools Project and educational programmes run by the Please Touch Museum. In New York, grants have been made to City College.

Health: Grantmaking has supported the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, the Dysautonomia Foundation, and Pennsylvania's Lankenau Medical Centre.

Jewish Causes: The foundation maintains a strong focus on Jewish organisations and causes. Grantees include the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, the Jewish Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, the Jewish Relief Agency, and the Jack M. Barack Hebrew Academy, among others. The foundation participates in the Jewish Funders Network's Jewish Day School Affinity Group. Rena Kopelman serves on the national boards of Hillel International, Jewish Federations of North America, and OneTable, and on the board of Perelman Jewish Day School.

Social Innovation: The foundation supports technology-enabled nonprofits and social innovation projects, particularly those in early stages of development.

What They Don't Fund

Information not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Joshua Kopelman (Trustee) - Founder of Half.com (acquired by eBay for $350 million) and co-founder of First Round Capital in 2004, with investments in companies such as LinkedIn and Uber
• Rena Kopelman (Trustee) - Advisor, strategist, and philanthropist in the nonprofit community who advocates for Jewish education and identity-building programmes

The foundation operates without full-time employees, suggesting a streamlined operation managed directly by the trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded at the discretion of the trustees to pre-selected organisations with existing relationships to the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

As The Kopelman Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. The foundation appears to proactively identify and support organisations that align with their philanthropic interests, particularly those in the Jewish community, education, health, and social innovation sectors. The foundation is particularly interested in projects that have not attracted significant attention and therefore have previously received limited financial support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Kopelman Foundation is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications
• With approximately $2 million in annual giving and typical awards ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000, the foundation makes substantial grants to selected organisations
• The foundation has a clear preference for organisations in three main areas: Jewish causes, education (particularly computer science and underserved students), and health
• The foundation is particularly interested in projects that have not attracted significant attention and have received limited financial support
• Without a public application process, organisations cannot directly apply for funding
• The foundation maintains a lean operation with no full-time staff
• Geographic focus includes Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan, though the foundation makes grants nationally

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Kopelman Foundation (EIN: 233096766) - Accessed 8 May 2026
• Inside Philanthropy - Josh and Rena Kopelman Profile - Accessed 8 May 2026
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Kopelman Foundation Profile - Accessed 8 May 2026