The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation makes a small number of large, national-level grants focused on civic leadership, democracy and public leadership initiatives. Their recent giving overwhelmingly supports two high-profile organizations that run civic engagement, leadership development and presidential legacy programming, suggesting interest in shaping public discourse and leadership at scale.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants distributed to a very small set of repeat national grantees rather than many small or local organizations.
Notable grantees: Civic Nation, The Barack Obama Foundation
The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by repeated, six-figure support for Civic Nation and The Barack Obama Foundation, alongside similarly large grants to public-interest organizations in Washington, DC, Chicago, and Arlington. Those awards point to a funder that backs civic engagement, leadership development, and public education work at scale, rather than a broad portfolio of small local grants. Across the recent list, the foundation appears to favor organizations with national reach and visible public-facing programs. Civic Nation received multiple grants in 2024 and 2025, including awards of $864,416, $259,586, $207,922, and $194,360. The Barack Obama Foundation also appears several times, with grants of $689,340, $640,000, $462,780, $388,200, $378,760, $331,812, $280,597, $238,167, and $213,999. Other large awards went to Washington Educational Telecommunications Association, Fair Elections, National Gallery of Art, and Heartland Alliance, showing support that extends beyond one institution while remaining centered on civic and public-life initiatives.
In civic engagement, the foundation gave $864,416 to Civic Nation in 2025 and another $259,586 in 2024, both to aid the organization’s exempt purpose. It also backed Fair Elections with $294,510 in 2025, indicating continued support for election-related public work. For leadership and legacy programming, the foundation made multiple grants to The Barack Obama Foundation in 2023, including $689,340, $640,000, and $462,780. Those repeated awards suggest a sustained relationship with an institution tied to presidential legacy and public leadership. The foundation also funds public education and culture. Washington Educational Telecommunications Association received grants of $490,780 in 2025 and $245,580 in 2024, while the National Gallery of Art received $260,000 in 2025. In health and community support, Heartland Alliance and Children’s Hospital Foundation each appear among the larger recent recipients.
Typical grants are in the low five figures to mid five figures, with a p25 of $4,664, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent file also shows much larger awards in the hundreds of thousands, so the foundation’s distribution is wide even though many individual grants are modest. Grantmaking looks recurring rather than one-off: Civic Nation, The Barack Obama Foundation, and Washington Educational Telecommunications Association each appear multiple times across 2023 through 2025. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$5.3M
$28.5M
$3.7M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 593 grants going to US organizations. Washington, DC appears frequently among recipients, including Civic Nation, Greater Washington Community Foundation, National Gallery of Art, and Fair Elections. Chicago, IL is another major recipient location, driven by multiple grants to The Barack Obama Foundation and Heartland Alliance. Arlington, VA also appears several times through Washington Educational Telecommunications Association. The listed grants show a strong concentration in the DC-area corridor, even though the foundation gives nationally.
Recent grants point to civic engagement, leadership and legacy programming, public education, and election-related work. Examples include Civic Nation, The Barack Obama Foundation, Washington Educational Telecommunications Association, and Fair Elections, all supported with large awards to aid each organization’s exempt purpose.
Yes. The same organizations appear across multiple years. Civic Nation received grants in 2024 and 2025, The Barack Obama Foundation appears repeatedly in 2023, and Washington Educational Telecommunications Association received awards in 2024 and 2025.
The stated distribution is p25 $4,664, median $10,000, and p75 $25,000. Recent awards also include much larger grants in the hundreds of thousands, so the foundation’s portfolio includes both standard smaller grants and larger strategic awards.
The foundation gives nationally, but recipient locations cluster in the US, especially Washington, DC, Chicago, IL, and Arlington, VA. The recipient-country distribution shown is entirely US-based, with 593 grants to US organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $864,416 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $864,416 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $490,780 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $490,780 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FAIR ELECTIONS | WASHINGTON, DC | $294,510 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FAIR ELECTIONS | WASHINGTON, DC | $294,510 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | WASHINGTON, DC | $260,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | WASHINGTON, DC | $260,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $247,561 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $247,561 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SILVER SPRINGS, MD | $210,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SILVER SPRINGS, MD | $210,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $194,360 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $194,360 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $145,080 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $145,080 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRE | NEW YORK, NY | $115,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRE | NEW YORK, NY | $115,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALBERTINE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK-PANCAN | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BROOKLINE, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALBERTINE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH | BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BROOKLINE, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH | BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK-PANCAN | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $96,005 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $96,005 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $94,245 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $94,245 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RAZOM INC - UKRAINE AID | NEW YORK, NY | $80,428 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RAZOM INC - UKRAINE AID | NEW YORK, NY | $80,428 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HEARTLAND ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HEARTLAND ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $59,866 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $59,866 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $55,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $55,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BILL HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,620 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BILL HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,620 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC | ETNA, NH | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC | ETNA, NH | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YAHADIN UNUM MID AMERICA | CINCINNATI, OH | $47,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YAHADIN UNUM MID AMERICA | CINCINNATI, OH | $47,000 | 2025 | TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
CIVIC NATION
$864,416TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CIVIC NATION
$864,416TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION
$490,780TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION
$490,780TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FAIR ELECTIONS
$294,510TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FAIR ELECTIONS
$294,510TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
$260,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
$260,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION
$247,561TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION
$247,561TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$210,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$210,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CIVIC NATION
$194,360TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CIVIC NATION
$194,360TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$145,080TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$145,080TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$120,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$120,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRE
$115,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE LOUVRE
$115,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALBERTINE FOUNDATION
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK-PANCAN
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALBERTINE FOUNDATION
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK-PANCAN
$100,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$96,005TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$96,005TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$94,245TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$94,245TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RAZOM INC - UKRAINE AID
$80,428TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RAZOM INC - UKRAINE AID
$80,428TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HEARTLAND ALLIANCE
$70,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HEARTLAND ALLIANCE
$70,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$59,866TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
$59,866TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$55,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$55,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BILL HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION
$50,620TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BILL HILLARY & CHELSEA CLINTON FOUNDATION
$50,620TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YALE UNIVERSITY
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YALE UNIVERSITY
$50,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YAHADIN UNUM MID AMERICA
$47,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YAHADIN UNUM MID AMERICA
$47,000TO AID IN THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION