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.
$5.1M
$84.6M
$2.3M
$5.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $38K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$38K
About 16% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | BOONE, IA | $1,210,000 | 2026 | $300,000 TO KARIN BAIN KUKRAL '82 HEAD COACH OF WOMEN'S LACROSSE FUND; $25,000 TO DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR THE OVPIA AFGHANISTAN INITIATIVE; $500,000 TO FIELD HOCKEY COMPLEX FUND |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $751,666 | 2026 | $76,666 TO RYAN FIELD PROJECT; $100,000 TO WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH FUND, $250,000 TO FAMILY MEDICINE, $250,000 TO WOMEN'S CARDIAC RESEARCH, $50,000 TO MCCORMICK ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING & DESIGN; $10,000 TO PHI GAMMA DELTA 2331 SHERIDAN BUILDING FUND; $10,000 TO STEVEN L. GLICK FUND; $5000 TO FORMULA RACING (FSAE) PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $750,000 | 2026 | $400,000 TO GENERAL OPERATIONS; $350,000 TO RESEARCH ON THE FEDERAL DEFICIT |
| TRUENU | BARTLETT, IL | $500,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH | DENVER, CO | $275,000 | 2026 | $250,000 TO CRITICAL RESEARCH FUND; $25,000 TO WINTERS EVE GALA |
| WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE | NEW YORK, NY | $275,000 | 2026 | DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY FELLOWSHIP |
| URBAN PEAK | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE AVERY COONLEY SCHOOL | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | UROLOGY RESEARCH FUND FOR DR. HU |
| DOE FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | READY, WILLING, & ABLE PROGRAM |
| THE BOB WOODRUFF FAMILY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YALE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT | NEW HAVEN, CT | $100,000 | 2026 | YEAR 2 OF 3 COMMITMENT TO MIF/DDT PROJECT IN MELANOMA RESEARCH AND IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESEARCH |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES OF PHILLIPS ACADEMY | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | BICENTENNIAL CLASS SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| PARKINSON'S WELLNESS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CIA OFFICERS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | HERNDON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ULI FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC | COS COB, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| FUTURE 5 INC | STAMFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK SUN WORKS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DENVER ART MUSEUM | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL FUND LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN (AFLC) |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TROUT UNLIMITED INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRIOTS FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | SCHLOARSHIP FUND |
| ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL (NEW YORK NATIVITY) | BRONX, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES OF UNIVERSITY OF PA (BASSER CENTER) | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | BASSER CENTER FOR BRCA |
| DAWG NATION HOCKEY FOUNDATION | INDIAN HILLS, CO | $22,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RIVERKEEPER INC | OSSINING, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLE IN THE WALL GANG FUND INC | NEW HAVEN, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION INC | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | B-SEARCH FUND FOR DR. ROUSSOS TORRES |
| NATURE FOR JUSTICE | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY | COLOMA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES WESTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL | NORWALK, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN PLANNED PARENTHOOD INC | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GUIDES TRUST FOUNDATION INC | ISLAMORADA, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAMILY CENTERS INC | GREENWICH, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN | BRONX, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OMPRAKASH INC (POWWATER) | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2026 | POWWATER PROJECT |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR INC | GREENWICH, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S COAT DRIVE |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | PAN-MASS CHALLENGE ON BEHALF OF THE JIMMY FUND |
| THE DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2026 | SKYEBIRD EDUCATIONAL GIFT FUND |
| THE SILVER SHIELD ASSOCIATION | GREENWICH, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOULDER BRIDGE HOUSE | BOULDER, CO | $2,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | IN MEMORY OF MIRO COPIC |
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$1,210,000$300,000 TO KARIN BAIN KUKRAL '82 HEAD COACH OF WOMEN'S LACROSSE FUND; $25,000 TO DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR THE OVPIA AFGHANISTAN INITIATIVE; $500,000 TO FIELD HOCKEY COMPLEX FUND
$76,666 TO RYAN FIELD PROJECT; $100,000 TO WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH FUND, $250,000 TO FAMILY MEDICINE, $250,000 TO WOMEN'S CARDIAC RESEARCH, $50,000 TO MCCORMICK ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING & DESIGN; $10,000 TO PHI GAMMA DELTA 2331 SHERIDAN BUILDING FUND; $10,000 TO STEVEN L. GLICK FUND; $5000 TO FORMULA RACING (FSAE) PROGRAM
$400,000 TO GENERAL OPERATIONS; $350,000 TO RESEARCH ON THE FEDERAL DEFICIT
TRUENU
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH
$275,000$250,000 TO CRITICAL RESEARCH FUND; $25,000 TO WINTERS EVE GALA
WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE
$275,000DEPARTMENT OF UROLOGY FELLOWSHIP
YEAR 2 OF 3 COMMITMENT TO MIF/DDT PROJECT IN MELANOMA RESEARCH AND IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESEARCH
PARKINSON'S WELLNESS FOUNDATION
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE ULI FOUNDATION
$40,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC
$25,000MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
FUTURE 5 INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL (NEW YORK NATIVITY)
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DAWG NATION HOCKEY FOUNDATION
$22,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES WESTERN CONNECTICUT COUNCIL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GUIDES TRUST FOUNDATION INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OMPRAKASH INC (POWWATER)
$10,000POWWATER PROJECT
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR INC
$10,000CHILDREN'S COAT DRIVE
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE SILVER SHIELD ASSOCIATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BOULDER BRIDGE HOUSE
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT