The Ginkgo Fund concentrates large, mission-driven gifts to a small set of national institutions, favoring higher education STEM research and Quaker-affiliated public policy and media work. Grants are typically unrestricted/exempt-function gifts routed directly or through philanthropic intermediaries, suggesting a flexible, strategic approach rather than many small community grants.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants with repeat funding to the same national organizations; uses intermediaries/DAFs and provides broad 'to be used within exempt function' support.
The Ginkgo Fund’s most distinctive pattern is a concentration of large, exempt-function gifts to a small set of institutions, with repeat support for Caltech reaching $475,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025. That same multi-year approach appears in its backing of Fcnl Education Fund, which received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The funder’s recent grants show a mix of higher education STEM research, Quaker public policy and civic education, Quaker publishing, and select Louisville-based community organizations. Several awards are routed directly to operating entities such as Friends Publishing Corporation and National Philanthropic Trust, while others support universities and public-interest nonprofits through exempt-purpose language. The profile that emerges is not a broad small-grants program but a targeted grantmaker making substantial awards to a limited set of recipients. Louisville organizations also appear repeatedly, including Home of the Innocents, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, and Lincoln Foundation, alongside national institutions in Pasadena, Washington, Philadelphia, and beyond. Across the recent record, the fund shows a preference for unrestricted or operationally flexible support framed around exempt function rather than project-heavy microgrants.
Higher education and STEM research are a visible thread in the fund’s recent grants. Caltech received $475,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025, both described as to be used within exempt function, indicating sustained institutional support rather than one-off project funding. Public policy and civic education tied to Quaker institutions is another clear area: Fcnl Education Fund received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Quaker religious publishing and media also appears through a $250,000 2025 grant to Friends Publishing Corporation. The fund additionally supports philanthropy infrastructure, including $260,000 to National Philanthropic Trust in 2025, again marked for exempt function. These grants show a mix of research, civic education, religious publishing, and intermediary support.
Typical grant size sits in a relatively narrow mid-large range: the 25th percentile is $40,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $78,750. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same recipients across multiple years, including Caltech, Fcnl Education Fund, Home of the Innocents, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, Center for Employment Opportunities, Kentuckianaworks Foundation, and Nacole. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and does not fund individuals. It also does not make program-related investments. The grant language frequently states “to be used within exempt function,” which points to flexible operating or exempt-purpose support rather than tightly restricted project grants.
$2.9M
$37.1M
$4.2M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $40K and $79K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$40K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$79K
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Notable grantees: Caltech, FCNL Education Fund, National Philanthropic Trust, Friends Publishing Corporation
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the recent sample. Louisville is the most frequent recipient city, with organizations such as Home of the Innocents, Lincoln Foundation, Center for Employment Opportunities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, Waterstep, Christopher 2x Game Changers, Kentuckianaworks Foundation, and Louisville Urban League. Other recurring recipient cities include Pasadena, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Cambridge, Providence, and Tucson. By count, Kentucky is the top giving state, and 36% of grants go to recipients in Kentucky.
The recent grants cluster around higher education STEM research, Quaker public policy and civic education, Quaker publishing, and Louisville-based community organizations. Examples include Caltech, Fcnl Education Fund, Friends Publishing Corporation, and several Louisville recipients such as Home of the Innocents and Lincoln Foundation.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Caltech, Fcnl Education Fund, Home of the Innocents, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, Center for Employment Opportunities, Kentuckianaworks Foundation, and Nacole. Some, like Caltech and Fcnl Education Fund, received large awards in three consecutive years.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-large range: p25 is $40,000, the median is $50,000, and p75 is $78,750. Recent awards also show larger institutional gifts, including several $250,000 grants and a $475,000 grant.
Kentucky receives the largest share by grant count, with 36% of grants going to recipients in the state. Louisville appears often in the recent list, alongside other U.S. cities such as Pasadena, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Cambridge, Providence, and Tucson.
Many recent grants are labeled “to be used within exempt function.” That phrasing appears across awards to institutions such as Caltech, Fcnl Education Fund, National Philanthropic Trust, and Friends Publishing Corporation, suggesting flexible support tied to exempt-purpose use rather than project-specific funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $750,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CALTECH | PASADENA, CA | $400,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FRIENDS PUBLISHING CORPORATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FCNL EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| NONVIOLENCE INSTITUTE | PROVIDENCE, RI | $250,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| SCHOOL ONE | PROVIDENCE, RI | $200,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| AMHERST COLLEGE | AMHERST, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CHRISTOPHER 2X GAME CHANGERS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KENTUCKIANA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| LINCOLN FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| NUCLEAR THREAT INITIATIVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CALTECH Y | PASADENA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| COMMUNITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| PHILLIPS ACADEMY-ANDOVER | ANDOVER, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY | PASADENA, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CALTECH | PASADENA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $260,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FRIENDS PUBLISHING CORPORATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FCNL EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| HOME OF THE INNOCENTS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KENTUCKIANA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CHRISTOPHER 2X GAME CHANGERS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $60,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| COMMUNITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| LINCOLN FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CALTECH Y | PASADENA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| KENTUCKIANAWORKS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| NONVIOLENCE INSTITUTE | PROVIDENCE, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| AMHERST COLLEGE | AMHERST, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| PHILLIPS ACADEMY-ANDOVER | ANDOVER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| LOUISVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY | PASADENA, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CALTECH | PASADENA, CA | $475,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FCNL EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| LINCOLN FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| UCLA FOUNDATION - EMMITT INSTITUTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KENTUCKIANA | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| HOME OF THE INNOCENTS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $75,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| NACOLE | TUCSON, AZ | $50,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FAMILIES AGAINST MANDATORY MINIMUMS FND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CHRISTOPHER 2X GAME CHANGERS | LOUISVILLE, KY | $50,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
| FRIENDS PUBLISHING CORPORATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION |
FCNL EDUCATION FUND
$250,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
NONVIOLENCE INSTITUTE
$250,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
SCHOOL ONE
TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
$100,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
$100,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
LINCOLN FOUNDATION
$50,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE
$40,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY
$7,500TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
CALTECH
$400,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
FCNL EDUCATION FUND
$250,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
$100,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
HOME OF THE INNOCENTS
$75,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
LINCOLN FOUNDATION
$50,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
KENTUCKIANAWORKS FOUNDATION
$50,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
NONVIOLENCE INSTITUTE
$50,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
FRIENDS GENERAL CONFERENCE
$40,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
AMHERST COLLEGE
$10,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
PHILLIPS ACADEMY-ANDOVER
$10,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY
$7,500TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
FCNL EDUCATION FUND
$250,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
LINCOLN FOUNDATION
$100,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
HOME OF THE INNOCENTS
$75,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION
NACOLE
$50,000TO BE USED WITHIN EXEMPT FUNCTION