About Kao Family Foundation
The Kao Family Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education (including strong ties to Taiwanese academia), education-focused family philanthropy, and targeted health and child-welfare interventions. A small number of large grants dominate their portfolio, often supporting institutions linked to the family’s heritage (National Taiwan University) and recurring commitments to research and children's health causes.
Focus Areas
Higher education development at National Taiwan University / Taiwanese academic institutionsFamily-led K–12 and postsecondary education initiatives through the Kao Family Education FoundationScleroderma and specialized medical research fundingPediatric health & hospital-based programs (e.g., Children's Mercy / Nick’s Voice)Humanitarian food relief and rapid-response nutrition (World Central Kitchen)Technology-driven child protection and online safety (Thorn)
Who They Fund
nonprofit organizations (general)general public / community-at-large
About Kao Family Foundation
Kao Family Foundation’s largest recent grant went to National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation, a $7,915,765 award in 2025. That single grant points to a pattern that runs through the foundation’s portfolio: sustained support for higher education, especially institutions connected to the Kao family’s Taiwanese academic ties, alongside selective health, child-welfare, and humanitarian funding. The foundation also made repeated general-purpose grants to the Kao Family Education Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing an ongoing commitment to education through a sister organization in Taiwan. Beyond education, the foundation has backed medical research and care through Cedars-Sinai and the Scleroderma Research Foundation, and it has supported child and family services such as Children’s Mercy’s Nick’s Voice program. Humanitarian relief appears as well, including multiple grants to World Central Kitchen. The portfolio is shaped by a small number of large awards, recurring support for selected institutions, and broad-purpose grants that fit education, health, human rights, culture, and environment.
What Kao Family Foundation Funds
Higher education is a core theme. The foundation gave $7,915,765 to National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation for organization’s general charitable purposes, and it also supported Missouri University of Science & Technology with $576,455 in 2023 and $203,318 in 2025. In health and medical research, the foundation made a $177,456 grant to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2024 and also supported the Scleroderma Research Foundation with $510,500 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2025. Child and family-focused work appears in grants such as $943,778 to Children’s Mercy for Nick’s Voice and $150,000 to Girls Educational and Mentoring Services in 2025. Humanitarian response is another visible thread, including $550,000 to World Central Kitchen in 2024 and $300,000 in 2023.
How Kao Family Foundation Gives
The foundation’s typical grant size centers on $28,500 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Its portfolio is mixed: a small number of very large grants sit alongside many grants in the five-figure and low six-figure range. Recurring support is visible, especially for the Kao Family Education Foundation, Kansas University Endowment Assoc, Kansas State University Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and the Scleroderma Research Foundation across multiple years. The foundation makes institutional grants and endowments, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$13M
Total Assets
$123M
Total Revenue
$27.2M
Total Expenses
$13.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $29K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$29K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
Regional17 states funded
About 17% of grants go to recipients in MO.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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