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Karlgaard Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,259,910 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily higher education institutions)
  • Total Assets: $32.8 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 5 Clarks Branch Rd, Great Falls, Virginia 22066-4157

EIN: 31-1810538

Note: No public website or contact information is available for this foundation.

Overview

The Karlgaard Family Foundation was established in December 2001 as a private independent foundation by David and Marilyn Karlgaard, both alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. David Karlgaard, who holds a doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from George Washington University and an MBA from Wharton, founded PEC Solutions in 1985 and took it public on NASDAQ in 2000 before selling it to Nortel in 2005 for $448 million. The foundation has grown substantially over the past two decades, with total assets increasing from $3.6 million in 2011 to $32.8 million in 2024. Nearly 100% of the foundation's expenses are allocated to charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong commitment to direct giving. The foundation's strategic focus centers on supporting STEM education through scholarships, faculty excellence awards, and endowed professorships at institutions where the Karlgaards studied.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Karlgaard Family Foundation focuses on higher education, specifically in STEM fields:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

  • Karlgaard Scholarships: Multi-million dollar investment in scholarships for students studying computer science, mathematics, and physics. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and engage in faculty-mentored research resulting in external publications or presentations. Renewable for up to four years total. Preference given to graduates of Rice Lake and Viroqua high schools.
  • Karlgaard Faculty Excellence Awards: $10,000 annual awards for faculty in computer science, physics and astronomy, and mathematics departments. Three awards given annually, recognizing faculty at different career stages (pre-tenure, mid-career, and senior).
  • Karlgaard Towers: Over $6 million in contributions led to the naming of residence halls on campus.

George Washington University

  • Karlgaard Scholarship in Computer Science: Endowed in 2010 for rising juniors and seniors
  • Karlgaard Scholarship in Computer Engineering: Endowed in 2010 for rising juniors and seniors
  • David and Marilyn Karlgaard Professorship: Established through a family bequest in the School of Engineering and Applied Science

Priority Areas

  • STEM education (computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, physics)
  • Student scholarships with research components
  • Faculty excellence and retention
  • Higher education institutions with personal connections to the donors

What They Don't Fund

Based on their giving pattern:

  • Organizations outside higher education
  • Non-STEM programs
  • General operating support unrelated to their focus areas
  • Individual requests unrelated to their established scholarship programs

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Officers (as of 2024):

  • David C. Karlgaard: President & Treasurer - Founded PEC Solutions (government IT services), took company public in 2000, sold to Nortel for $448 million in 2005. Holds BS in Mathematics and Physics from UW-Eau Claire, MS in Mathematics from Michigan State, Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from GW, and MBA from Wharton. Served as GW Trustee and is member of GW Engineering Hall of Fame.
  • Marilyn E. Karlgaard: Vice President & Secretary - Attended UW-Eau Claire where she met David
  • Joanna V. Karlgaard: Assistant Vice President
  • Christopher D. Karlgaard: Assistant Vice President

The foundation is family-operated with the next generation (Joanna and Christopher) now serving in leadership roles, suggesting long-term continuity in the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Karlgaard Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants based on the trustees' discretion and established relationships with specific educational institutions.

The foundation's grants primarily support:

  • Scholarship programs at universities where the family has established named funds (UW-Eau Claire, George Washington University)
  • Faculty awards at institutions with existing Karlgaard programs
  • Strategic initiatives at institutions where family members have personal connections

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through established programs at partner institutions or by trustee discretion rather than through competitive application cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 8 grants in 2022, 8 grants in 2021, and 11 grants in 2020.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the lack of public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their giving patterns reveals:

Educational Institutions Most Likely to Receive Support:

  • Institutions where David or Marilyn Karlgaard studied (UW-Eau Claire, George Washington University, Michigan State University, Wharton)
  • Programs in computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, and physics
  • Programs that combine scholarship support with research mentorship requirements

Values Demonstrated Through Giving:

  • Research Integration: The UW-Eau Claire scholarships require recipients to "engage in faculty-mentored research resulting in at least one external publication or presentation," showing the foundation values experiential learning
  • Faculty Retention: The $10,000 faculty awards explicitly "aim to encourage them to stay at UW-Eau Claire," indicating concern for retaining quality educators
  • Academic Excellence: 3.0 GPA requirements and competitive selection processes
  • Long-term Impact: Renewable scholarships (up to 4 years) and endowed professorships demonstrate commitment to sustained support

Student Testimonial Insight: Billy Miller (SEAS BS '20, MS '21) shared: "The Karlgaard Scholarship is what allowed me to pursue my master's degree. The aid I received as an undergrad has allowed me to spend another year in school before starting to work full-time." This suggests the foundation values supporting students in continuing their education beyond the bachelor's degree.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Open to General Applications: This is a private family foundation with a focused giving strategy centered on specific institutions and programs. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.

  • STEM Education Focus: 100% of identifiable grants support computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, and physics programs - no evidence of funding outside STEM fields.

  • Alumni Connection: Both major funding relationships (UW-Eau Claire and GW) are with institutions where family members studied, suggesting personal connection is critical.

  • Research-Oriented: Scholarship requirements emphasize faculty mentorship and external publications/presentations, indicating preference for research-intensive programs.

  • Substantial and Strategic: With over $6 million committed to UW-Eau Claire alone and growing assets of $32.8 million, the foundation makes significant, transformative gifts rather than small grants.

  • Family Continuity: Second generation involvement (Joanna and Christopher Karlgaard as Assistant VPs) suggests the foundation's mission and focus areas are likely to continue long-term.

  • Faculty Support: Unique emphasis on faculty excellence awards shows understanding that quality education requires retaining talented educators, not just supporting students.

References

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