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Klarman Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$90.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $7.0M
Decision Time
2mo

The Klarman Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $89,989,220 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (most grants by invitation only)
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (Instrument Fund); 6+ months (Community Capital Fund)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $7,000,000 (typical: $25,000 - $5,000,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts, New York, and District of Columbia; also Israel

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 171627, Boston, MA 02117
Phone: 617.236.7909
Website: https://www.klarmanfoundation.org
Email: EDresearch@klarmanfoundation.org (for Eating Disorders Research inquiries only)

Overview

Established in 1990 by Seth and Beth Klarman, the Klarman Family Foundation is a Boston-based private foundation with assets of $744 million (2023). Seth Klarman is the founder and president of the Baupost Group investment firm. The foundation distributed approximately $90 million in grants in 2023, making 328 awards. The foundation seeks to "identify areas of unmet need and to advance solutions to addressing them," with the goal of helping "people thrive in vibrant and healthy communities." From 2018 through 2022, the Klarmans disbursed $376 million through the foundation. The foundation operates with five guiding values: a rigorous yet flexible approach, urgency-driven funding based on opportunities rather than annual budgets, democracy-focused work (stating "the preservation of democratic norms lies at the core of all of our work"), collaborative partnerships with other funders, and a commitment to best practices in philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Most grant-making is by invitation only, with two notable exceptions:

  • Community Capital Fund (CCF): $250,000 - $3,000,000 (open application process; semi-annual deadlines)
  • Instrument Fund: Varies based on need (rolling applications; 8-week decision timeline)
  • Eating Disorders Research Grants: $150,000 (1-year pilot studies) to $450,000 - $750,000 (3-year projects)
  • General Grantmaking: $1,000 - $7,000,000 (invitation only)

The foundation provides general operating, project, and capital support through annual and multi-year grants, and does not typically make grants toward endowments. The foundation demonstrates a strong preference for unrestricted support to strengthen organizations.

Priority Areas

The foundation organizes its grantmaking around four strategic areas:

1. Medical & Scientific Research - "Advancing understanding of the biological basis of health and illness"

  • Focus on cellular biology and eating disorders
  • Current priority: Research directly investigating the underlying biology of anorexia nervosa - how and why it develops and persists
  • Excludes: Behavioral therapy, medical complications of eating disorders, and clinical trials

2. Healthy Democracy - "Ensuring a healthy democracy"

  • $34 million in grants in 2022 (39% of total grant funding)
  • Programs that rebuild confidence in democratic institutions
  • Citizen participation and responsibilities in democracy
  • Accountability of government institutions
  • Social cohesion and addressing hate within and across communities
  • The foundation states that "the preservation of democratic norms and values lies at the core of all our work, and that democracy is built upon a commitment to treating all people fairly and equally under the rule of law; an informed and engaged public; and a society where people care about the common good."

3. Expanding Access - "Expanding access to vital services and enrichment opportunities"

  • Community Capital Fund: Supports development, improvement, or ownership of physical assets (buildings and open space)
  • Prioritizes organizations in Boston neighborhoods of Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan, and Roxbury, and cities of Brockton, Lynn, and Springfield
  • Focuses on organizations operating within communities of color in Massachusetts
  • Instrument Fund: Supports purchase, rental, or repair of instruments for music education programs reaching low-income Massachusetts youth (K-12th grade) during school day or out-of-school time

4. Global Jewish Community - "Supporting the global Jewish community"

  • Addressing antisemitism: Supporting groups threatened by hate, research and monitoring of hate
  • Connecting people to Israel: Educational experiences building authentic relationships between Americans and Israeli peers
  • Arab Israeli employment and education: Improving quality of life and access to opportunities for all Israeli citizens, focusing on higher education, leadership development, and professional employment
  • Greater Boston Jewish community: Supporting a vibrant Jewish community ensuring well-being of all members

What They Don't Fund

Community Capital Fund specific exclusions:

  • Endowments or private foundations
  • Religious organizations where grants are used primarily for sectarian purposes
  • Early education facilities (unlikely priority)
  • New housing developments or renovation/repair to existing housing developments (unlikely priority)
  • Charter schools (unlikely priority)
  • Camps (unlikely priority)
  • Temporary shelter programs and supportive services (unlikely priority)

Eating Disorders Research exclusions:

  • Behavioral therapy research
  • Medical complications of eating disorders
  • Clinical trials

General:

  • Endowments (typically not funded)

Governance and Leadership

Founders: Seth and Beth Klarman (established 1990)

Key Staff:

  • Steven Moore, Chief Operating Officer
  • Jonathan Horowitz, Chief Program Officer
  • Laura Sherman, Director, Local Initiatives and Partnerships
  • Allie Jose, Controller
  • Kevin Noel, Senior Finance Associate

The foundation employs 20 staff members. KFF Trustees review grant recommendations throughout the year and review grant proposals on a by-invitation-only basis from entities whose goals and mission resonate with the trustees' funding principals and areas of focus.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Most Grants: NO PUBLIC APPLICATION PROCESS

The Klarman Family Foundation reviews proposals primarily on a by-invitation-only basis, with staff soliciting information from entities whose missions and goals resonate with the foundation's current areas of focus. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding.

Exceptions with Open Application Processes:

1. Community Capital Fund (CCF)

  • Application Portal: Through foundation website at https://www.klarmanfoundation.org/expanding-access/ccf-apply/
  • Process: Two-stage application with eligibility quiz
    • Step 1: Brief eligibility quiz (10 minutes) followed by First Stage Application (2-6 hours to complete)
    • Step 2: If invited, complete Second Stage Application (10-15 hours to complete)
    • Step 3: Foundation staff may conduct site visits
  • Deadline Structure: Semi-annual funding rounds (Spring and Fall)
  • Eligibility: Must be nonprofit organization or school with 501(c)(3) status serving communities of color in Massachusetts

2. Instrument Fund

  • Application Portal: https://klarman-portal.givingdata.com/campaign/instrumentfund
  • Process: Rolling applications accepted year-round
  • Timeline: Decisions made within 8 weeks of receiving complete application
  • Eligibility:
    • Nonprofit or school with 501(c)(3) status
    • Serve K-12th grade youth in Massachusetts
    • Provide instrument instruction for low-income youth
    • Have not received Instrument Fund funding in past 24 months

3. Eating Disorders Research Grants Program

Decision Timeline

Instrument Fund: 8 weeks from complete application submission

Community Capital Fund:

  • Spring Funding Round Example:
    • First Stage Applications due: Early December
    • Notification of Second Stage invitations: Late January
    • Second Stage Applications due: Late February
    • Final decisions: June
    • Total timeline: Approximately 6 months

Invitation-Only Grants: Timeline varies; trustees review grant recommendations throughout the year

Success Rates

The foundation made 328 awards in 2023 and 363 awards in 2021. However, specific success rates for the open application programs (Community Capital Fund and Instrument Fund) are not publicly disclosed.

For the invitation-only grants, which constitute the majority of the foundation's grantmaking, success rates are not applicable as organizations do not apply but are identified and invited by foundation staff.

Reapplication Policy

Instrument Fund: Organizations that have received funding must wait 24 months before reapplying.

Community Capital Fund: Reapplication policy not explicitly stated; current KFF grantees with capital needs should reach out to their program officer before applying to CCF.

Invitation-Only Grants: Not applicable as grants are made by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

For Community Capital Fund Applications:

The foundation evaluates applications based on three key criteria:

  1. Community Integration: "The organization is an integral part of the community, evidenced by how it listens to, engages with, and is representative of the community (e.g., staff and board are demographically representative of the community.)"

  2. Project Feasibility: "The proposed project is realistic and feasible. The costs are supported by up-to-date estimates, the project is likely to be completed within the projected timeline, and the fundraising, financing, design, and project plans are thoughtful and comprehensive."

  3. Community Benefit and Alignment: "The proposed project is designed to bring community benefit and is aligned with the organization's mission and priorities, with evidence of community support for the organization and planned project."

For Instrument Fund Applications:

  • Demonstrate how instruments will be used for instruction of low-income youth
  • Show alignment with the fund's goals
  • Provide reasonable requests that enhance (not replace) existing instrument budgets
  • Focus on string, woodwind, brass, percussion instruments, keyboards, and related teaching technology

General Foundation Approach:

The foundation emphasizes that it makes "funding decisions based on careful review of an organization's strategies and effectiveness, leadership and financial position." Key factors include:

  • Demonstrable impact potential
  • Strong organizational leadership
  • Sound financial position
  • Strategic approach to addressing unmet needs
  • Alignment with foundation's belief in "creative thinking, strategic leadership and strong organizations to help bring about change"

The foundation values organizations that demonstrate they are "continually learning" and evolving their strategies - a principle the foundation applies to itself.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited access for most: The vast majority of the foundation's $90 million annual grantmaking is invitation-only. Focus efforts on the two open programs (Community Capital Fund and Instrument Fund) if your work aligns.

  • Community Capital Fund is the major opportunity: With grants ranging from $250,000 to $3,000,000, CCF represents significant funding for eligible Massachusetts organizations working in communities of color. Ensure your staff and board are demographically representative of the community you serve.

  • Unrestricted funding preference: The foundation explicitly states a preference for unrestricted support to strengthen organizations, indicating they trust grantee judgment and focus on organizational capacity.

  • Democracy is central: The foundation states "the preservation of democratic norms lies at the core of all of our work," so even non-democracy-focused programs should demonstrate alignment with democratic values and equity.

  • Feasibility matters greatly: For CCF applications, provide up-to-date cost estimates, realistic timelines, and comprehensive plans. The foundation values thorough planning and realistic projections.

  • Multi-year thinking: The foundation makes both annual and multi-year grants and funds based on opportunities rather than strict annual budgets, suggesting they're open to longer-term commitments for the right projects.

  • Don't waste time on general proposals: Unless your organization works in one of the four priority areas (Medical/Scientific Research, Healthy Democracy, Expanding Access, or Global Jewish Community) and is based in MA, NY, or DC, your chances of being identified for an invitation-only grant are minimal.

References

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