The Karin Bain and John Kukral Foundation concentrates its giving in a small number of large, targeted awards that blend higher education philanthropy (especially athletics, endowments, and campus facilities), public policy support, and a selective commitment to youth services. Grants are often capital or endowed gifts and include donor-designated funds at universities as well as substantial campaign support for a youth homelessness organization. The foundation appears to favor repeat, high-dollar commitments to institutions with personal or alumni ties.
The Karin Bain and John Kukral Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by large, named commitments to universities, especially Cornell University and Northwestern University. At Cornell, the foundation’s 2024 package reached $875,000 and included support for the Karin Bain Kukral '82 Head Coach of Women’s Lacrosse Fund, women’s field hockey, the indoor sports and recreation facility, and the OVPIA Afghanistan Initiative discretionary fund. Northwestern received $1,250,000 in 2023 for McCormick Architectural Engineering & Design, building funds, student funds, and club sports, followed by another $75,000 in 2024 for the same university. That pattern points to a donor that uses sizable institutional grants to support athletics, campus facilities, scholarship or discretionary funds, and selected public-policy or humanitarian efforts. The foundation also made a $750,000 program-support grant to the American Enterprise Institute in 2024 after a $500,000 award in 2023, showing sustained interest in research and policy organizations. Outside higher education and policy, its recent awards include support for youth homelessness services, medical research, and crisis response. The overall picture is of a funder favoring targeted institutional relationships rather than broad, open-ended grantmaking.
Higher education is a central lane in the Karin Bain and John Kukral Foundation’s grantmaking, with Cornell University receiving support for women’s lacrosse, women’s field hockey, an indoor sports and recreation facility, and the OVPIA Afghanistan Initiative. Northwestern University was another major recipient, with funds directed to McCormick Architectural Engineering & Design, a building fund, student funds, club men’s lacrosse, and Formula Racing. The foundation also supports public policy and research organizations. American Enterprise Institute received both a $750,000 grant in 2024 and a $500,000 grant in 2023 for program support. In the social-services and crisis-response space, Urban Peak Denver received $350,000 for a GO bond operating campaign and $10,000 for an annual fundraiser, while World Central Kitchen received $25,000 for Ukraine crisis response and $25,000 unrestricted. Other recent awards include support for scholarships at Phillips Academy and program funding for Year Up.
$4.8M
$88.1M
$6.6M
$5.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$38K
About 14% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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Highly concentrated giving: very few, large grants with repeated multi-year support to the same institutions. Emphasis on capital/campaign gifts and endowed funds rather than many small grants; mix of higher-education/alumni-directed philanthropy and selected community service impact grants.
Notable grantees: Northwestern University, Cornell University, American Enterprise Institute, Urban Peak (Denver)
The foundation’s typical grants cluster at $10,000 median, with a $10,000 25th percentile and $37,500 75th percentile, even though several awards are much larger. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across years, including Cornell University, Northwestern University, American Enterprise Institute, Urban Peak Denver, the Doe Fund, the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, Phillips Academy, and Year Up. It is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. The pattern is selective and relationship-based, with many grants taking the form of program support, named funds, operating support, or capital and endowment gifts.
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the recent file, with 102 grants to U.S. organizations. The highest concentration by state is Iowa, even though the foundation’s headquarters is in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Recent awards reached cities including Evanston, Boone, Denver, Boston, New York, Oconomowoc, Herndon, and New Haven. Connecticut received 14% of grants, but the giving footprint extends nationally rather than staying close to headquarters.
Recent grants show a strong tilt toward universities and higher education affiliates, especially Cornell University and Northwestern University. It also funds public-policy research groups such as American Enterprise Institute, along with youth homelessness services, medical research, and crisis-response organizations.
Yes. Cornell University, Northwestern University, American Enterprise Institute, Urban Peak Denver, the Doe Fund, the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, Phillips Academy, and Year Up all appear in multiple grant years, suggesting recurring relationships rather than one-time awards.
The grant-size profile centers on relatively modest awards: p25 is $10,000, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $37,500. The recent record also includes larger institutional gifts, such as $875,000 to Cornell University and $750,000 to American Enterprise Institute.
No. The recipient footprint is national, with 102 U.S. grants in the recent file. Connecticut accounts for 14% of grants, while the highest state by grant count is Iowa. Recent recipients were located in cities including Evanston, Boone, Denver, Boston, New York, and New Haven.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $750,000 | 2025 | $400,000 GENERAL OPERATIONS; $350,000 ECONOMICS TEAM RESEARCH ON THE FEDERAL DEFICIT |
| TRUENU | BARTLETT, IL | $750,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | BOONE, IA | $635,000 | 2025 | $300,000 TO KARIN BAIN KUKRAL '82 HEAD COACH OF WOMEN'S LACROSSE FUND; $150,000 TO FIELD HOCKEY COMPLEX; $125,000 TO DR. YOU FOR MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH; $50,000 TO PRISM MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH; $10,000 TO ATHELTICS |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $280,000 | 2025 | $180,000 WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH FUND; $100,000 HWISE HOUSEHOLD WATER INSECURITIES EXPERIENCES |
| URBAN PEAK | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | DENVER YOUTH SHELTER |
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | EASTON, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | BRADBURY DYER, III '64 CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A UROLOGIC ONCOLOGY FELLOWSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ONCOLOGY |
| THE BOB WOODRUFF FAMILY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | DENVER CLINIC DEVELOPMENT |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | UROLOGY RESEARCH FUND FOR DR. HU |
| THE AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | THE AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL'S ENDOWMENT |
| FOUNDATION AT NJ INSITITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | NEWARK, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | JOHN N. & BEVERLY BAIN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| YALE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT | NEW HAVEN, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | MIF/DDT PROJECT IN MELANOMA RESEARCH FUND, IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESEARCH |
| DOE FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | READY, WILLING, & ABLE PROGRAM |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | $50,000 TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR AN EQUITABLE FUTURE; $25,000 TO GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| CIA OFFICERS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | HERNDON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES OF PHILLIPS ACADEMY | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | BICENTENNIAL CLASS SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| FUTURE 5 INC | STAMFORD, CT | $45,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ULI FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | ULI OPPORTUNITIES FUND |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | OUTREACH AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| FARESTART (CATALYST KITCHENS) | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | $12,500 TO ECHO GLEN CHILDREN'S CENTER; $12,500 TO GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| TROUT UNLIMITED INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ATLANTIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND PRECISION CARE |
| GILDER LEHRMAN INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN HISTORY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 GALA IN HONOR OF BILL & LIA POORVU |
| CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRIOTS FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| NEW YORK SUN WORKS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC | COS COB, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| HOUSING ON MERIT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | RXLA LLC AFFORADABLE HOUSING PROJECT |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CRAIG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONOR OF BRANDON CAUSEY |
| DAWG NATION HOCKEY FOUNDATION | INDIAN HILLS, CO | $22,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL (NEW YORK NATIVITY) | BRONX, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GIRLS |
| NATURE FOR JUSTICE | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN | BRONX, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL TEAM JULIAN |
| DEVELOPMENT IN GARDENING | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | PRIORITY HOUSEHOLD PROGRAM |
| THE LEMON TREE TRUST | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | LEMON TREE TRUST FUND OF COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS |
| THE 5 GYRES INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION INC | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHARITY WATER | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | MOZAMBIQUE REHABILITATED WATER WELL PROJECT |
| HOLE IN THE WALL GANG FUND INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES WESTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL | NORWALK, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VAIL HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION | VAIL, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | VAIL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PAN-MASS CHALLENGE TEAM CRUS11TOUR |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SWIPE OUT HUNGER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | ON-CAMPUS INITIATIVES |
| ST FRANCIS CENTER | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
$400,000 GENERAL OPERATIONS; $350,000 ECONOMICS TEAM RESEARCH ON THE FEDERAL DEFICIT
TRUENU
$750,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$635,000$300,000 TO KARIN BAIN KUKRAL '82 HEAD COACH OF WOMEN'S LACROSSE FUND; $150,000 TO FIELD HOCKEY COMPLEX; $125,000 TO DR. YOU FOR MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH; $50,000 TO PRISM MICROPLASTICS RESEARCH; $10,000 TO ATHELTICS
$180,000 WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH FUND; $100,000 HWISE HOUSEHOLD WATER INSECURITIES EXPERIENCES
URBAN PEAK
$250,000DENVER YOUTH SHELTER
BRADBURY DYER, III '64 CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE
$150,000TO SUPPORT A UROLOGIC ONCOLOGY FELLOWSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ONCOLOGY
FOUNDATION AT NJ INSITITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$100,000JOHN N. & BEVERLY BAIN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND
YALE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT
$100,000MIF/DDT PROJECT IN MELANOMA RESEARCH FUND, IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESEARCH
DOE FUND INC
$100,000READY, WILLING, & ABLE PROGRAM
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC
$75,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
$50,000 TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR AN EQUITABLE FUTURE; $25,000 TO GENERAL OPERATING FUND
FUTURE 5 INC
$45,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE ULI FOUNDATION
$40,000ULI OPPORTUNITIES FUND
DENVER ART MUSEUM
$25,000OUTREACH AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS
$12,500 TO ECHO GLEN CHILDREN'S CENTER; $12,500 TO GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ATLANTIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH
$25,000RESEARCH AND PRECISION CARE
2024 GALA IN HONOR OF BILL & LIA POORVU
UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC
$25,000MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
HOUSING ON MERIT
$25,000RXLA LLC AFFORADABLE HOUSING PROJECT
DAWG NATION HOCKEY FOUNDATION
$22,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL (NEW YORK NATIVITY)
$20,000SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GIRLS
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$10,000CYCLE FOR SURVIVAL TEAM JULIAN
THE LEMON TREE TRUST
$10,000LEMON TREE TRUST FUND OF COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION OF TEXAS
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES WESTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST FRANCIS CENTER
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT