The Robert D And Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $54,002,017 (2023)
Total Assets: $841.8 million
Grant Range: $1,000 - $8,100,000
Typical Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000
Number of Grants (2023): 137
Median Grant: $113,000
Geographic Focus: National (United States)
Founded: 1998

Contact Details

Address: W305S4239 Brookhill Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189-9126

EIN: 39-1923558

Overview

The Kern Family Foundation was established in 1998 by Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern, founders of Generac Power Systems, one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of complete engine-driven generator systems. When Generac sold a division of the company in 1998, a portion of the proceeds went to establish this private, independent grant-making foundation based in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

With assets exceeding $841 million and annual giving of approximately $54 million, the foundation has become one of the most significant private funders in education and character development. Since 2020, the foundation has awarded 735 individual grants totaling $640,960,310. The foundation's mission is to "empower the rising generation of Americans to build flourishing lives anchored in strong character, inspired by quality education, driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, and guided by the desire to create value for others."

Dr. Robert Kern passed away on November 8, 2022, at the age of 96, but the foundation continues its work under professional leadership. The foundation employs 27 staff members and focuses on initiatives with long-term, systemic impact rather than short-term projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Kern Family Foundation operates four major grantmaking initiatives:

1. Faith, Work, and Economics

Aimed at Christian pastors and ministers to promote understanding of the intersection of faith, work, and economics
Educates future and existing pastors about the importance of work in developing character, affirming dignity, and helping people flourish
Regular grants to Christian colleges and seminaries
Recent grants: $105,047 to Samford University's Beeson Divinity School, $102,500 to Asbury Theological Seminary, over $200,000 to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

2. K-12 Education Reform

Prioritizes STEM education as preparation for the competitive, technology-driven global job market
Focuses on charter school networks and religious schools
Major recipients include GreatHearts Foundation ($6.5M in 2023), Success Academies, Charter School Growth Fund, DSST Public Schools
Supports Project Lead The Way ($4M grant in 2018) for hands-on STEM curricula K-12
Supports America Achieves for technology-based vocational training and apprenticeships

3. Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN)

Partnership of more than 60 colleges and universities across the United States
Founded in 2005 to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering education
Equips engineering students to identify opportunities, create value, and become innovative problem-solvers
Recent grants include: $2M to Ohio State University, $10.7M to Grand Canyon University, ongoing support for Drexel's ELATES Faculty Leadership Development Program
Member institutions include Penn State, NC State, University of Iowa, Miami University, Wake Forest, Duke, Bucknell, Lehigh, Villanova, and many others

4. Medical Education Transformation

Focus on transforming medical education to emphasize character, caring, and professionalism
Created the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine
Founding member schools: Medical College of Wisconsin, Dell Medical School at UT Austin, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt School of Medicine

Priority Areas

STEM Education: K-12 and higher education with emphasis on hands-on, entrepreneurial approaches
Character Development: Programs that build strong character in students, engineers, medical professionals, and religious leaders
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Engineering education that develops problem-solving and value-creation skills
Medical Education Reform: Transforming how medical professionals are trained to emphasize caring and character
Charter Schools: Supporting high-quality charter school networks
Faith-Based Education: Christian colleges, seminaries, and programs connecting faith, work, and economics

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus areas suggest they do not fund:

Organizations outside their strategic initiatives
Short-term or one-off projects
General operating support for organizations outside their established networks
International programs (focus is on the United States)
Arts, culture, environment, or other areas outside education and character development

Governance and Leadership

Founders

Robert D. Kern (deceased November 8, 2022): Co-founder of Generac Power Systems, served as retired chairman and CEO. Dr. Kern had a personal connection to Mayo Clinic, which treated him as a charity case when he was five years old in 1930 because his father was a pastor.
Patricia E. Kern: Co-founder of Generac Power Systems and the foundation

Current Leadership Team

James Rahn: President
Kyle Bode: Vice President
Elizabeth Purvis: Senior Program Director
Kelly Ramirez: Program Director for Education and Character Program
Michael Johnson: Digital Media Director

The foundation's assets are managed by a board of directors, though specific current board member names are not publicly disclosed.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This funder does not have a public application process.

The Kern Family Foundation explicitly states that it "does not accept unsolicited proposals" and "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying and selecting organizations that align with their mission and strategic initiatives rather than responding to applications.

Organizations cannot submit formal proposals or applications for funding. The foundation prefers to choose its own grantees and invests mainly in long-term, broad-impact projects. Most grantees are large organizations that align closely with the foundation's four major initiatives.

For any inquiries regarding potential collaboration, interested parties may contact the foundation at info@kffdn.org, but this does not constitute an application process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model. The foundation identifies and approaches potential grantees rather than operating on an application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable. As an invitation-only funder, there is no public application process with measurable success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model.

Application Success Factors

While the Kern Family Foundation does not accept applications, understanding their grantmaking patterns reveals what attracts their attention:

1. Alignment with Strategic Initiatives The foundation invests in organizations that fit squarely within their four major programs: Faith, Work, and Economics; K-12 Education Reform; KEEN (engineering entrepreneurship); and Medical Education Transformation. Organizations outside these areas are unlikely to receive consideration.

2. Scale and Long-Term Impact The foundation states it "invests mainly in long-term, broad-impact projects." They favor large-scale initiatives that can transform entire sectors or create systemic change. Recent grants include $67M to Mayo Clinic, $50M to Medical College of Wisconsin, and multi-million dollar commitments to charter school networks.

3. Network Participation Many grantees are part of foundation-created networks like KEEN (60+ universities) or the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine (7 founding medical schools). Being invited to join these networks often comes with substantial multi-year funding.

4. Mission Alignment The foundation's mission emphasizes "strong character," "quality education," "entrepreneurial mindset," and "creating value for others." Organizations that demonstrably advance these values—particularly in combination—align with their interests.

5. STEM and Character Focus K-12 education grants prioritize "STEM disciplines and charter school networks." Higher education grants focus on engineering entrepreneurship and medical education reform with character development embedded.

6. Faith-Based Connection Significant funding goes to Christian institutions—seminaries, Christian colleges like Grand Canyon University, and faith-work-economics programs. Religious institutions with strong character development missions attract foundation interest.

7. Institutional Capacity "Most of its grantees are large organizations"—the foundation typically partners with established institutions capable of managing substantial grants and implementing transformational change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is an invitation-only funder: Do not waste time preparing unsolicited proposals. The foundation explicitly states they "do not accept unsolicited proposals" and only fund "preselected charitable organizations."
Think networks, not grants: The foundation creates and funds collaborative networks (KEEN, Kern National Network for Medicine). Being invited to join a foundation-created network is often the pathway to funding.
Scale matters significantly: With a median grant of $113K and top grants exceeding $8M, this foundation funds transformational initiatives, not small projects. They seek "long-term, broad-impact projects."
Four lanes only: Funding flows through four clear channels—Faith/Work/Economics, K-12 Education (especially STEM/charter), Engineering Entrepreneurship (KEEN), and Medical Education. Organizations outside these areas won't be considered.
Character is non-negotiable: Every initiative emphasizes "strong character" development. Whether engineering, medicine, K-12 education, or pastoral training, character formation is woven throughout.
General inquiry as first step: While you cannot apply, you can contact info@kffdn.org for inquiries. This should only be done if your organization is a major player in one of their four focus areas with capacity for multi-year, systemic impact.
Study their existing grantees: Organizations like GreatHearts Foundation, Medical College of Wisconsin, KEEN member universities, and the specific seminaries they fund reveal the profile of institutions they choose to support.

References

Information accessed December 2025