The Charles J. & Elizabeth R. Koch Foundation makes a very small number of large, unrestricted/qualified-purpose grants to well-established institutions, concentrating support in higher education and the arts. Recent awards indicate a preference for major research universities (Case Western Reserve University) and prominent cultural organizations (Society of the Four Arts), suggesting interest in sustaining institutional capacity rather than funding many small projects.
Highly concentrated: very few, large grants focused on prominent institutions; favors one-off or sizable awards for general/qualified purposes rather than many small project-specific grants.
Charles J & Elizabeth R Koch Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $750,000 award to Case Western Reserve University for the qualified purpose of the organization. That single grant helps show the foundation’s pattern: it makes a very small number of sizable, unrestricted or qualified-purpose grants to established institutions rather than spreading support across many small projects. Recent awards also point to a second anchor institution, Society of the Four Arts, which received $257,500 in 2024 and another $25,000 in 2025. The foundation’s giving centers on higher education and the arts, with recurring support for universities, orchestras, museums, and related cultural organizations. The recent grants list includes Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, The Cleveland Orchestra, and Musical Arts Association. Several awards are made in qualified-purpose language, which suggests flexible institutional support rather than tightly restricted project funding. The foundation’s reported annual grants given total $1,245,572, while the latest 990 year on file is 2025.
Higher education appears in multiple recent awards. The foundation gave $750,000 to Case Western Reserve University in 2024 and $20,000 to Ursuline College in 2023, both described as qualified-purpose support. Arts and culture is another clear theme: Society of the Four Arts received $257,500 in 2024, and The Cleveland Orchestra received $10,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024. The foundation also supported related cultural organizations such as Musical Arts Association with $9,960 in 2025. Catholic institutions and Catholic-affiliated groups are present as well, including $15,000 to St Thomas More Play Group in 2024 and $3,500 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach in 2025. Smaller grants to museums, libraries, and land trust organizations show that the foundation also funds local civic and cultural institutions.
The reported grant-size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $12,500 at the 75th percentile, even though a few much larger awards sit above that range. The recent record shows repeat support to the same organizations across years, including Society of the Four Arts, Malta American Association, The Cleveland Orchestra, University School, and John Hopkins University. Grants are described as qualified-purpose awards, indicating flexible support for organizations rather than project-specific restrictions. The foundation does not fund individuals and is not identified as making program-related investments.
$135K
$891K
$64K
$144K
Most grants fall between $1K and $13K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$13K
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Notable grantees: Case Western Reserve University, Society of the Four Arts
Grantmaking is national, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Ohio receives the largest share of grants by count, and 44% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Cleveland appears often, including Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Orchestra, Musical Arts Association, and Patrons of the Arts Vatican Museums. Other recipient cities include Palm Beach, New York, Baltimore, Nashville, and Darien, showing a mix of Ohio-centered giving and support to institutions in other states.
Recent grants point to higher education, arts and culture, and Catholic-affiliated institutions. Examples include Case Western Reserve University, Society of the Four Arts, The Cleveland Orchestra, St Thomas More Play Group, and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach.
The grant-size distribution is small relative to the foundation’s largest awards: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,500.
Yes. Society of the Four Arts appears in both 2024 and 2025, Malta American Association appears in 2024 and 2025, and The Cleveland Orchestra appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. John Hopkins University and University School also received support in more than one year.
Ohio receives the most grants by count, and 44% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Cleveland is a frequent recipient city, along with Palm Beach, New York, Baltimore, Nashville, and Darien.
Most recent awards are labeled for the qualified purpose of the organization. That wording appears across university, arts, and civic grants, indicating flexible support for operating or institutional needs rather than tightly defined project grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $43,300 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $11,950 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FLAGLER MUSEUM | PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PECONIC BAY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | RIVERHEAD, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH | RIVIERA BEACH, FL | $3,500 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $2,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION | NEW LONDON, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARIEN LAND TRUST | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREENS LEDGE LIGHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC | ROWAYTON, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY FUND OF DARIEN | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARIEN LIBRARY | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF DARIEN | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | STAMFORD, CT | $500 | 2026 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $12,362 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PATRONS OF THE ARTS VATICAN MUSEUMS | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $9,960 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH | RIVIERA BEACH, FL | $3,500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA | CLEVELAND, OH | $2,500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PECONIC BAY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | RIVERHEAD, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE | NORFOLK, VA | $1,500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $1,250 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| QUOGUE LIBRARY SOCIETY | QUOGUE, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREENS LEDGE LIGHT PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC | ROWAYTON, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARIEN FIRE DEPARTMENT | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARIEN LIBRARY | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARIEN LAND TRUST | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF DARIEN | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SMILES WITH STYLE | SAGAMORE HILLS, OH | $500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL OF BETHLEHEM FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | STAMFORD, CT | $500 | 2025 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $750,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $257,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY SCHOOL | HUNTING VALLEY, OH | $1,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY FUND OF DARIEN | DARIEN, CT | $1,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP
$15,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
$11,950QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FLAGLER MUSEUM
$10,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PECONIC BAY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$10,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$5,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL
$2,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARIEN LAND TRUST
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY FUND OF DARIEN
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARIEN LIBRARY
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF DARIEN
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$12,362QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PATRONS OF THE ARTS VATICAN MUSEUMS
$10,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
$10,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF PALM BEACH
$3,500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
$2,500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PECONIC BAY MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$2,500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP
$2,500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE
$1,500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$1,250QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
QUOGUE LIBRARY SOCIETY
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARIEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARIEN LIBRARY
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARIEN LAND TRUST
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF DARIEN
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SMILES WITH STYLE
$500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL
$500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL OF BETHLEHEM FOUNDATION
$500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$500QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$750,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MALTA AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
$30,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ST THOMAS MORE PLAY GROUP
$15,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
$10,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$2,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY FUND OF DARIEN
$1,000QUALIFIED PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION