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Charles Koch Foundation II

Annual Giving
$10.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $17.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,900,000 (2023, Foundation II); Main Charles Koch Foundation: $74,700,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not specified - rolling review process
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $17,400,000 (based on main foundation data)
  • Median Grant: $127,000 (based on main foundation data)
  • Geographic Focus: United States
  • Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation
  • IRS Ruling Year: 2021

Contact Details

Charles Koch Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 0800 Arlington, VA 22203-4492

Website: https://charleskochfoundation.org General Grant Inquiries: Via online application portal at charleskochfoundation.org/grants/general-proposals/

Note: Charles Koch Foundation II (EIN 85-4058882) shares the same address as the main Charles Koch Foundation (EIN 48-0918408). Limited public information is available specifically about Foundation II's distinct operations.

Overview

Charles Koch Foundation II, also known as Charles Koch Charitable Fund, was established in 2021 as a private independent foundation based in Arlington, Virginia. While this is a separate legal entity from the original Charles Koch Foundation (established 1981), both organizations share the same address and appear to be part of the broader Charles Koch philanthropic network. Foundation II distributed $10.9 million in grants in 2023 through just 2 awards, suggesting a focus on larger, strategic grants rather than numerous smaller awards. The foundation had total revenues of $115 million in 2020, indicating substantial resources for future grantmaking. The broader Charles Koch Foundation works to ensure all people have the opportunity to live a life of meaning and contribution based on their unique gifts and aptitudes, primarily through supporting research and educational programs at universities and nonprofit organizations that advance social progress through market-based solutions and the study of free societies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Based on the broader Charles Koch Foundation grantmaking approach (which likely informs Foundation II's priorities):

  • General Research Grants: Variable amounts determined by research requirements and potential impact - Rolling application basis
  • University Partnerships: $10,000 - $1,000,000+ for research centers, professorships, and academic programs
  • Social Impact Research: Supporting scholars pursuing ideas and research that will have an impact on societal well-being

Priority Areas

The Charles Koch Foundation network focuses on:

  • Criminal Justice Reform: Research and programs addressing incarceration, recidivism, and rehabilitation
  • Economic Progress: Free market economics, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity
  • Education and Future of Work: Post-secondary education reform, lifelong learning, and skills development
  • Foreign Policy: Peace-oriented research and non-interventionist perspectives
  • Free Speech and Civil Liberties: First Amendment protections and open discourse
  • Health Care: Market-based health care solutions
  • Immigration: Immigration reform research
  • Academic Research: Support for rigorous research that advances understanding of societal challenges

The foundation emphasizes research that contributes to "a society of mutual benefit where people succeed by helping others improve their lives."

What They Don't Fund

  • Overhead or administrative costs
  • Applied research and development
  • Community development infrastructure projects
  • Political candidates or lobbying activities
  • Generally avoids international projects (U.S. focus)
  • Typically does not fund endowments (prefers grants with "immediate benefit for faculty and learners")
  • For-profit corporations (with rare exceptions)
  • Individual grants (unless pursuant to a specific foundation program)

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Charles G. Koch - Chairman & CEO of Koch Industries, Founder of Charles Koch Foundation

  • One of America's most prominent philanthropists and business leaders
  • Has focused on philanthropic giving for over 50 years, particularly in higher education

Brian Hooks - President, Charles Koch Foundation and Charles Koch Institute

Key quotes from Brian Hooks on the foundation's approach:

"When it comes to fixing the country's biggest problems, there is no quick fix — no single solution from on high. Rather, there are countless solutions that depend on empowering people across the country to do their part."

"It's not up to us to decide which ideas to be supportable or rise to the top. We want to empower faculty members who have a newer a different way of approaching a societal problem and then provide them with the resources so they can realize that vision."

"We need to embrace partnerships with a spirit of love and respect and acknowledge what others bring to the table. To be truly transformational, philanthropic foundations need to be willing to take risks and work with unlikely allies, even if differences cause discomfort."

Ryan Stowers - Executive Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: Specific application procedures for Charles Koch Foundation II (EIN 85-4058882) are not publicly documented as a separate process. Given the shared address and organizational relationship, applicants should likely follow the main Charles Koch Foundation application process.

For the Charles Koch Foundation:

The foundation operates a rolling, open application process year-round. Unsolicited proposals are welcome.

Application Requirements:

  • Project Abstract: 1-3 page document explaining how the project will advance inquiry on a pressing challenge
  • CV or Résumé: For principal investigator(s)
  • Brief Itemized Budget: Specific to research requirements
  • Original Research: Work should be unpublished and original

Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity or accredited U.S. university
  • Primarily supports U.S.-based projects
  • Does not typically consider for-profit corporations
  • Individual grants only pursuant to specific foundation programs

Submission: Apply through the online grant proposal form at https://charleskochfoundation.org/grants/general-proposals/

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not specify exact decision timelines. Proposals undergo a review process on a rolling basis, with evaluation focused on:

  • Proposed project's relevance to the field of inquiry or practice
  • Applicant's capacity to complete the project in a timely fashion
  • Quality and rigor of the research design

Applicants are informed of decisions in a timely manner, though specific timeframes (weeks or months) are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. However, context suggests the process is competitive:

  • The main Charles Koch Foundation made 141 awards in 2023 (down from 782 awards in 2018)
  • Foundation II made only 2 awards in 2023 from $10.9 million in grantmaking
  • The foundation supports over 350 programs at more than 200 organizations
  • Supports over 300 colleges and universities nationwide

The shift toward fewer, larger grants suggests an increasingly selective process focused on high-impact partnerships.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation welcomes unsolicited proposals and operates on a rolling basis, suggesting unsuccessful applicants may reapply when they have strengthened their proposals or developed new research directions aligned with foundation priorities.

The foundation also offers multi-year support for successful partnerships, indicating ongoing relationships with grantees.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and guidance:

What the Foundation Values

1. Academic Independence and Researcher-Driven Vision

  • "Faculty call the shots" - researchers drive the research direction
  • Brian Hooks: "We want to empower faculty members who have a newer a different way of approaching a societal problem and then provide them with the resources so they can realize that vision"
  • The foundation emphasizes that it does not dictate research outcomes or conclusions

2. Four Core Evaluation Criteria

  • Vision: Does the project contribute to "a society of mutual benefit where people succeed by helping others improve their lives"?
  • Quality: Does the research meet field standards for rigor and methodology?
  • Impact: What is the potential to improve lives and advance societal understanding?
  • Sustainability: Is there likelihood of receiving additional support beyond the foundation grant?

3. Alignment with Foundation Philosophy

  • Research that advances understanding of how free societies and market-based solutions can address social problems
  • Work that empowers individuals and communities through bottom-up rather than top-down approaches
  • Willingness to challenge conventional thinking and offer innovative perspectives
  • Research that can be translated into practical applications

4. Institutional Support

  • Level of support from your home institution
  • Research follows the host institution's standard procedures
  • Integration with broader academic programs

5. Researcher Excellence

  • Track record in the field
  • Capability to execute the project at a high level of quality
  • Ability to complete work in a timely fashion

Strategic Guidance

  • Be specific about impact: Clearly articulate how your research will advance understanding of pressing challenges and contribute to societal well-being
  • Emphasize rigor: Demonstrate methodological strength and adherence to field standards
  • Show sustainability: Explain how the research could attract additional support or lead to ongoing work
  • Connect to student experience: Where applicable, show how research contributes to educational outcomes
  • Demonstrate institutional commitment: Evidence of university or organizational support strengthens applications
  • Align with philosophy without compromising integrity: Successful applicants align with the foundation's emphasis on individual empowerment, voluntary solutions, and free enterprise, while maintaining genuine scholarly independence

What Doesn't Work

  • Requests for overhead or administrative funding
  • Projects focused on political advocacy or lobbying
  • Research with predetermined conclusions
  • International projects (generally)
  • Infrastructure or capital campaigns
  • Work outside the foundation's priority areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation values academic freedom: Emphasize your scholarly independence and researcher-driven approach rather than promising specific findings aligned with foundation ideology
  • Think big on impact, specific on methodology: Clearly articulate potential societal benefits while demonstrating rigorous research design
  • Rolling deadlines mean strategic timing: You can apply when your proposal is strongest rather than rushing to meet arbitrary deadlines
  • Build the relationship: The foundation values long-term partnerships - consider starting conversations before submitting a full proposal
  • Sustainability matters: Show how initial foundation support could catalyze broader impact and attract additional funding
  • Size of request should match ambition: With grants ranging from $3,000 to over $17 million, tailor your budget to genuine research requirements rather than fitting a predetermined range
  • Limited awards mean high selectivity: With Foundation II making only 2 awards in 2023, competition is exceptionally fierce - proposals must be exceptionally strong and well-aligned
  • Multi-year support is available: Don't limit thinking to one-year projects if the research vision justifies longer timelines

References

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