The Charles Koch Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and policy-oriented academic work, directing large, institution-level gifts to universities and organizations that train scholars and support research in classical liberal/free‑market ideas. Its grants fund university programs and fellowship/training organizations that build capacity for market-oriented public policy scholarship and teaching.
Very concentrated giving: a small number of very large grants to a few higher-education institutions and affiliated policy/training organizations, including repeat funding for the same recipients.
Notable grantees: George Mason University Foundation, Institute for Humane Studies
The Charles Koch Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by a $23.7 million general operating grant to George Mason University Foundation, alongside repeated support for the Institute for Humane Studies. That pattern points to a funder that works through universities and related institutions rather than individuals, backing programs that build research capacity and train scholars in classical liberal and market-oriented ideas. Its largest awards are institution-level and often unrestricted or general operating in form, with several multi-million-dollar grants going to universities, university foundations, and education organizations. The foundation also supports policy-facing research and scholarship through groups such as New York University, Duke University, Chapman University, Arizona State University, and Stanford University, showing an emphasis on academic infrastructure as well as direct program support. The Charles Koch Foundation’s portfolio includes higher education, fellowship and scholar development, and university-based public policy work. Its grants are national in scope and frequently directed to large organizations that can host research centers, fellowships, or educational programs. The grant mix suggests a preference for institutional partners that can use core support to sustain teaching, convening, and research over time.
Higher education is central to the Charles Koch Foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $6.1 million to the Institute for Humane Studies for general operating support, and in 2023 it gave $3.0 million to New York University for general operating support. The foundation also funds university-based public policy and research capacity. It awarded $2.3 million to Duke University in 2023 and $1.8 million to the University of Southern California in 2023, both for general operating support. Those grants fit a pattern of backing institutions that house scholarship and training. Economic and labor-market related education appears in the portfolio as well. Jobs for the Future received $1.2 million in 2025 for general operating support, while Education Design Lab received $1.0 million in 2025 for general operating support. The foundation also supports organizations engaged with workforce and educational infrastructure through these larger institutional grants.
Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $16,865, the median is $82,112, and the 75th percentile is $412,250. The recent grants list shows a long tail of smaller awards alongside many seven-figure institutional grants, which indicates a mix of broad support and large anchor gifts. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals. Its recent record includes repeat support for the same recipients across multiple years, including the Institute for Humane Studies, Utah State University, George Mason University Foundation, and New York University. Most listed grants are general operating support, which points to core or unrestricted institutional funding rather than tightly restricted project grants. The foundation also accepts unsolicited proposals through rolling programs.
Current and upcoming funding from Charles Koch Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) designation required; projects typically supported through the applicant’s sponsoring institution and must align with Foundation giving standards (academic freedom, faculty-led projects, institutional procedures).
Deadline: Year-round (some specific programs may set deadlines)
$62.2M
$758.9M
$208K
$67.9M
Most grants fall between $17K and $412K, with a median of $82K.
25th Percentile
$17K
Median
$82K
75th Percentile
$412K
About 10% of grants go to recipients in MA.
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Charles Koch Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 255 | $126.8M | 98.1% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 4 | $108K |
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The Charles Koch Foundation gives nationally, with 98.1% of recipient organizations in the United States. Among recent grants, Fairfax, Virginia appears prominently through George Mason University Foundation, while New York, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC also show up multiple times. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, and 10% of grants go to recipients in Virginia, the foundation’s headquarters state. Outside the United States, the recent-grants list includes four grants to the UK and one to Canada.
It primarily funds universities, university foundations, and education or policy organizations. Recent grants include large general operating awards to George Mason University Foundation, the Institute for Humane Studies, New York University, and Duke University, showing a strong emphasis on institutional support in higher education and scholarship.
Yes. It has open, rolling grant programs that accept unsolicited proposals from U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions, and scholars. The proposal review criteria mentioned include research rigor, student impact, institutional support, and alignment with the foundation’s giving guidelines.
The grant-size distribution is wide: the 25th percentile is $16,865, the median is $82,112, and the 75th percentile is $412,250. Recent grants also include multiple awards in the $1 million to $23.7 million range, so the foundation makes both smaller and very large institutional grants.
Most grants go to U.S. recipients, and Massachusetts is the top state by grant count. Virginia receives 10% of grants, and recent recipient cities include Fairfax, Arlington, New York, Boston, and Washington, DC.
Active programs include immigration, health care, foreign policy, criminal justice, free speech & peace, economic progress, and liberalism / Institute for Humane Studies grants. Across those programs, the foundation emphasizes research and education tied to institutional reform, individual opportunity, and human progress.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 3 | Canada | 1 | $13K | 0.4% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) organizations or university-sponsored projects; proposals should fit the Foundation's giving standards.
Deadline: Year-round; check specific initiatives for deadlines.
Who can apply: Partners should be scholars or organizations whose rigorous analysis informs improvements to the criminal justice system. Grants must be made through a 501(c)(3) sponsoring institution; the Foundation does not lobby or support political candidates.
Deadline: Year-round; some programs have deadlines.
Who can apply: The Foundation seeks grant applications from researchers and scholars whose work examines policy and institutional conditions that promote economic progress. Grantees must align with the Foundation's giving standards and be eligible through a sponsoring institution.
Deadline: Year-round; some funding programs have deadlines.
Who can apply: Organizations should be 501(c)(3) or affiliated with a sponsoring institution; projects should align with the Foundation's priorities around meaningful work and talent strategies.
Deadline: Generally year-round; specific initiatives may have deadlines.
Who can apply: The website identifies immigration as a focus area supported by the foundation. Proposals should fit the foundation’s broader academic and research-oriented giving standards.
Deadline: Year-round; some funding programs may have deadlines.
Who can apply: The Foundation supports scholars and organizations that conduct rigorous research and education related to its foreign policy priorities. In general, international projects are not funded, though they may be considered; the vast majority of grants are U.S.-based. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
Deadline: Year-round; some programs may have deadlines.
Who can apply: Projects typically run through sponsoring institutions or eligible nonprofits (501(c)(3)).
Deadline: Year-round submissions; program-specific deadlines may apply.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $23,675,637 | 2025 | General operating support |
| INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES | ARLINGTON, VA | $6,090,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY | LOGAN, UT | $2,500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | FARGO, ND | $2,000,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| SHRM FOUNDATION INC | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $1,920,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| JOBS FOR THE FUTURE | BOSTON, MA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $1,157,363 | 2025 | General operating support |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,138,154 | 2025 | General operating support |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $1,113,401 | 2025 | General operating support |
| Education Design Lab | Washington, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| North Dakota State University | Fargo, ND | $1,000,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $988,334 | 2025 | General operating support |
| PER SCHOLAS INC | BRONX, NY | $903,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $884,159 | 2025 | General operating support |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $859,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| EDUCATION DESIGN LAB | WASHINGTON, DC | $762,500 | 2025 | General operating support |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $614,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $576,040 | 2025 | General operating support |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $550,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY | ORANGE, CA | $547,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TEMPE, AZ | $543,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $536,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| Public Health Data Laboratory Institute | Delray Beach, FL | $500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| CENTER FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| COLLEGE101 DBA POSTSECONDARY COMMISSION | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION | GAINESVILLE, FL | $414,137 | 2025 | General operating support |
| WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $404,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| MARSHALL UNIVERSITY | HUNTINGTON, WV | $400,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| OPPORTUNITYWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | KENNESAW, GA | $333,333 | 2025 | General operating support |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $332,571 | 2025 | General operating support |
| LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BATON ROUGE, LA | $315,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| NATIONAL MICROSCHOOLING CENTER | LAS VEGAS, NV | $300,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN- EAU CLAIRE FOUNDATION | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $300,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| BURNING GLASS INSTITUTE | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $295,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $290,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $288,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $277,626 | 2025 | General operating support |
| SKILLUP COALITION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $255,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY | SANTA CLARA, CA | $254,300 | 2025 | General operating support |
| VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION | BLACKSBURG, VA | $250,067 | 2025 | General operating support |
| GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| MAKE IT MOVEMENT | AUSTIN, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $246,457 | 2025 | General operating support |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | $240,000 | 2025 | General operating support |
| MIAMI UNIVERSITY | OXFORD, OH | $235,264 | 2025 | General operating support |
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$23,675,637General operating support
INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES
$6,090,000General operating support
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,500,000General operating support
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$2,000,000General operating support
SHRM FOUNDATION INC
$1,920,000General operating support
JOBS FOR THE FUTURE
$1,200,000General operating support
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$1,157,363General operating support
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
$1,138,154General operating support
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$1,113,401General operating support
Education Design Lab
$1,000,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
$1,000,000General operating support
North Dakota State University
$1,000,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
$988,334General operating support
PER SCHOLAS INC
$903,000General operating support
DUKE UNIVERSITY
$884,159General operating support
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$859,000General operating support
EDUCATION DESIGN LAB
$762,500General operating support
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$614,000General operating support
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$576,040General operating support
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$550,000General operating support
CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
$547,000General operating support
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$543,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHAPEL HILL
$536,000General operating support
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS
$500,000General operating support
Public Health Data Laboratory Institute
$500,000General operating support
CENTER FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY
$500,000General operating support
COLLEGE101 DBA POSTSECONDARY COMMISSION
$500,000General operating support
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
$500,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION
$414,137General operating support
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$404,000General operating support
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
$400,000General operating support
OPPORTUNITYWORK
$350,000General operating support
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC
$333,333General operating support
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$332,571General operating support
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$315,000General operating support
NATIONAL MICROSCHOOLING CENTER
$300,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN- EAU CLAIRE FOUNDATION
$300,000General operating support
BURNING GLASS INSTITUTE
$295,000General operating support
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
$290,000General operating support
THE UCLA FOUNDATION
$288,000General operating support
TEXAS A&M FOUNDATION
$277,626General operating support
SKILLUP COALITION
$255,000General operating support
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
$254,300General operating support
VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION
$250,067General operating support
GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATION
$250,000General operating support
MAKE IT MOVEMENT
$250,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
$250,000General operating support
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK
$246,457General operating support
Harvard University
$240,000General operating support
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
$235,264General operating support
