K5 Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes contributions only to organisations it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; a better first step is an introduction through someone who already knows it.
- Its focus on closing the educational opportunity gap for motivated young people from underserved communities is the clear fit, and its grants have gone to universities, schools and youth-serving organisations.
- In its latest filing, 100% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in an earlier filing, so the relationship matters more than the proposal.
- A modest request fits best: half of its grants to organisations were about $215,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fell between $15,000 and $1,050,000, a typical band rather than a ceiling, since its largest grant was $4,200,000.
- No geographic focus is stated, and the filings show grants mainly in California and Illinois, which is a pattern rather than a rule about who may apply.
Overview
K5 Foundation is a US private foundation based in San Francisco, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (giving.northwestern.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The K5 Foundation works to close the educational opportunity gap for motivated young people from underserved communities. Its filed grants support educational institutions and organisations serving young people, with purposes including an integrated programme for academic, social and career support, scholarship and fellowship funds, financial aid, and school campaigns. It has also provided general operating support to education-related recipients. The record shows its giving reaching universities, schools and youth-serving organisations, while its stated purpose centres on opportunity for young people from underserved communities.
Themes
- Educational opportunity
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California and Illinois.
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 100% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 21 grants to organisations were about $215,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 39% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations K5 Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 5 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $350k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Northwestern University · to support creation of an integrated program to ensure enhanced academic, social, and career to support$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Board of trts Leland Stanford Unive · The Karr Family Programming Fund$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Town School for Boys · Town School Tomorrow Begins Campaign$350,0002024 tax year
- Sponsors For Educ Opportunities · General Operating SupportEndowments & Foundations Fellowship program$350,0002024 tax year
- Larkin Street Youth Services · Bridge Academy$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Adam Karr — Director
- Latonia Karr — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $5,062,502 | $1,698,750 | $38,163,626 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,563,541 | $2,070,000 | $42,945,818 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,387,997 | $3,725,000 | $46,994,909 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to K5 Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- San Francisco, CA
Applying to K5 Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- San Francisco, CA