Karakin Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $14,716,337 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $6,000 - $1,000,000
• Median Grant: $100,000
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Total Assets: $185,140,803

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 2079, Abilene, TX 79604-2079

Phone: 325-673-6429

Website: No public website

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made to preselected charitable organisations.

Overview

The Karakin Foundation was established in May 1997 as a private independent foundation based in Abilene, Texas. Founded by major donors Joseph B. Matthews and Julia Jones Matthews, the foundation has grown to manage over $185 million in assets. In 2023, the foundation distributed $14.7 million across 129 grants to organisations nationwide. Since 2014, the Karakin Foundation has awarded 498 individual grants totalling over $101 million. The foundation focuses primarily on children and youth services, international affairs, and human rights initiatives. The foundation operates with a selective grantmaking approach, funding only preselected charitable organisations through trustee discretion rather than a public application process. Despite the lack of a public website or open application system, the foundation maintains significant philanthropic impact across the United States, supporting organisations ranging from major metropolitan areas to smaller communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Karakin Foundation operates through trustee-discretionary grantmaking rather than structured grant programmes. Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis to preselected organisations.

• Grant Range: $6,000 - $1,000,000
• Median Grant Size: $100,000
• Annual Distribution: Approximately $14.7 million (2023)
• Number of Grants: 129 grants awarded in 2023

Priority Areas

Based on IRS classification and documented grant history, the foundation supports:

Children and Youth Services: The foundation prioritises grants to organisations working to improve the quality of life for children and youth.

Veterans and Military Support: Significant support for organisations serving wounded veterans and active service members, including adaptive housing, medical support, and rehabilitation programmes.

International Affairs and Human Rights: Funding for organisations working on international development and human rights initiatives.

Community Development: Support for local community projects, particularly in areas such as education infrastructure and heritage preservation.

Maternal and Family Health: Documented support for maternal health initiatives.

Example Grant Recipients (2020)

• Abilene Heritage Square Inc. - $1,000,000 (Lincoln Middle School Renovation)
• Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund - $700,000 (Visiting Nurse Programme, Service Member Support, Specialised Adaptive Equipment)
• Homes for Our Troops - $650,000 (Adaptive Housing for Wounded Veterans)
• Maternal Help Hope Fund - $1,000,000
• Sign Fractures Care International - $700,000
• Gary Sinise Foundation - $600,000 (Specially Adapted Homes for Wounded Service Members)

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and funds only preselected organisations, there is no publicly available list of explicit exclusions. Organisations not already known to the trustees or within their established network should not expect to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Kade L. Matthews - Chairman/President Current leader of the foundation, overseeing the strategic direction and grantmaking decisions.

Joseph E. Canon - Executive Vice President Serves in senior leadership alongside the Chairman.

Sarah J. Comerford - Grants Administrator Has served as grants administrator since 2012. Comerford brings experience from nonprofit leadership, including previous work with Manna Soup Kitchen in Durango, Colorado, where she met the foundation's founder.

Major Donors/Founders: Joseph B. Matthews and Julia Jones Matthews

The foundation operates with a small, focused leadership team that maintains discretionary control over all grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Karakin Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organisations that have pre-existing relationships with the foundation or have been identified by the board through their own research and networks.

Organisations should not submit unsolicited applications, letters of inquiry, or proposals to this foundation, as they will not be considered.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a public application cycle. Funding decisions are made internally by trustees based on their own timeline and priorities.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation does not accept applications from organisations outside their existing network.

In 2023, the foundation made 129 grants totalling $14.7 million to preselected organisations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - as there is no public application process, there is no reapplication option for organisations.

Application Success Factors

This section is not applicable as the Karakin Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organisations cannot apply for funding from this foundation.

However, organisations that are invited to receive funding or are already within the foundation's network should note:

• Alignment with Priority Areas: The foundation has demonstrated strong interest in veterans' services, children and youth programmes, international development, and community infrastructure projects.

• Geographic Reach: While based in Abilene, Texas, the foundation supports organisations across the United States, from major metropolitan areas to smaller communities.

• Grant Size: The foundation is capable of making very substantial grants, with documented awards ranging from $6,000 to $1,000,000, though the median grant is $100,000.

• Multi-Year or Programme Support: Based on specific grant examples, the foundation appears willing to fund capital projects, programme operations, and specialised equipment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited requests for funding under any circumstances.

• Substantial Assets: With over $185 million in assets and annual giving of nearly $15 million, this is a significant funder when it does choose to support organisations.

• Broad Geographic Scope: Despite being based in Abilene, Texas, the foundation funds organisations across the United States in major cities and smaller communities alike.

• Veterans Support Priority: Documented grant history shows strong support for veterans' organisations, including multiple six-figure grants for adaptive housing, medical support, and rehabilitation services.

• Large Grant Capacity: The foundation regularly makes grants of $500,000 to $1,000,000 for capital projects and major initiatives, not just small operational grants.

• Preselected Relationships: All funding goes to organisations already known to the trustees or identified through the foundation's own research - there is no pathway for new organisations to initiate contact.

• Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains no website and minimal public communications, operating with discretion and privacy in its philanthropic activities.

References

• Instrumentl - Karakin Foundation 990 Report
• Grantmakers.io - Karakin Foundation Profile
• Cause IQ - The Karakin Foundation
• Charity Navigator - Karakin Foundation Profile
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Karakin Foundation
• GrantExec - The Karakin Foundation
• Foundation Directory - The Karakin Foundation
• LinkedIn - Sarah Comerford Profile

Date Accessed: December 22, 2025