Knopf Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2,410,500 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Approximately $5,000 - $80,000 (based on recent grants)
Average Grant: $24,597
Number of Grants: 98 (2023)
Assets: $43,701,517
Geographic Focus: National (United States), with concentration in Florida, Massachusetts, and other states
Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 90 Baystate Road, Wakefield, MA 01880

Phone: (781) 246-1810

Website: No public website available

Email: Not publicly available

Note: As a private family foundation, contact is directed to the Board of Directors at the address above.

Overview

The Knopf Family Foundation Inc was established in 2003 in Florida and received its IRS tax-exempt ruling in 2004. The foundation is currently based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, with assets totaling $43.7 million. In 2023, the foundation distributed $2,410,500 across 98 grants, focusing on education, environmental initiatives, domesticated animals, and animal welfare. The foundation operates as a private independent foundation managed by a small board of trustees who serve without compensation. Their grantmaking demonstrates a clear commitment to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation, with particular emphasis on Florida-based wildlife organizations and marine animal rescue programs. The foundation supports a wide range of cities across the United States, including major areas like Boston, Chicago, Miami, and New York, operating in states such as California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with named initiatives. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's priority areas.

Typical Grant Range: $5,000 - $80,000 (based on 2023 awards) Average Grant Size: $24,597

Priority Areas

The Knopf Family Foundation focuses funding on:

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation: Emergency rescue preparation, rehabilitation enclosures, veterinary care, specialty food for wildlife patients, medical supplies
Marine Animal Protection: Manatee rescue and rehabilitation, sea turtle conservation, coastal wildlife programs
Animal Welfare: Programs for domesticated animals, animal welfare initiatives
Environmental Conservation: Environmental protection and conservation initiatives
Education: Educational programs (specific focus areas not detailed in public records)

Recent Grant Examples (2023)

Save the Manatee Club (Maitland, FL) - $80,000 for emergency rescue preparation fund and manatee rescue and rehabilitation partnership program
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife Inc (Sanibel, FL) - $60,000 to replace rehabilitation enclosures destroyed by Hurricane Ian and for wildlife food
Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center (Barnstable, MA) - $50,000 for specialty food for patients, veterinary medications, and medical supplies
Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (Clearwater, FL) - Amount not disclosed, for marine animal rehabilitation

What They Don't Fund

Public information about specific exclusions is not available. As a private foundation focused on education, environment, and animal welfare, they are unlikely to fund projects outside these core areas.

Governance and Leadership

The Knopf Family Foundation is managed by three trustees who serve without compensation:

Charles E. Knopf Jr. - President and Trustee
Jeffrey P. Manning - Director, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Kristopher W. Knopf - Trustee and Director

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure typical of private family foundations, with the trustees making all grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Knopf Family Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private independent foundation, grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than open competitive application processes.

The foundation appears to identify and select grant recipients independently, based on the trustees' knowledge of organizations working in their priority areas. Most grants go to established wildlife rehabilitation centers, conservation organizations, and animal welfare groups that have demonstrated track records in their fields.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, decision timelines are not standardized or published.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not have a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Knopf Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. However, based on analysis of their recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation demonstrates clear preferences:

Focus on Wildlife Rehabilitation: The majority of documented grants support wildlife rehabilitation facilities, particularly those providing emergency care, medical treatment, and long-term conservation efforts.

Geographic Preferences: While the foundation has a national scope, there is notable concentration of funding to Florida-based organizations, particularly those focused on marine wildlife and coastal conservation. Massachusetts organizations, particularly in the Cape Cod area, also receive significant support.

Emergency and Disaster Response: The foundation has demonstrated responsiveness to emergency needs, such as providing $60,000 to help replace rehabilitation enclosures destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

Infrastructure and Operational Support: Grants frequently support tangible needs like veterinary equipment, medical supplies, specialty food for wildlife patients, and facility improvements rather than general operating support.

Established Organizations: Grant recipients tend to be well-established wildlife rehabilitation centers and conservation organizations with professional facilities and veterinary capabilities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or operate open grant programs. Organizations cannot directly apply for funding.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Focus: The foundation shows strong preference for wildlife rehabilitation facilities, particularly those working with marine animals, endangered species, and providing emergency veterinary care.
Florida Connection: A significant portion of grants support Florida-based organizations, suggesting potential geographic or personal connections to the state.
Specific Project Support: Grants tend to support specific, tangible needs (equipment, facility improvements, medical supplies) rather than general operating support.
Average Grant Size: With an average grant of approximately $24,600, this foundation provides small to medium-sized awards, though grants can range up to $80,000 for significant projects.
Private Foundation Status: As a private independent foundation with assets over $43 million, the Knopf Family Foundation operates through trustee discretion and maintains a low public profile without a website or published guidelines.
Trustee-Directed Giving: All grantmaking decisions are made by the three family trustees, who serve without compensation and maintain direct control over the foundation's charitable activities.

References

Information compiled December 2024 from IRS Form 990-PF filings and nonprofit databases