The Karakin Foundation makes a small number of large, locally focused capital and programmatic gifts in and around Abilene, TX, prioritizing community infrastructure, youth amenities, and direct-service health supports. Grants target brick-and-mortar projects (heritage square redevelopment, school renovation, zoo expansion, soccer fields) alongside at least one maternal health program, indicating a mix of civic improvement and basic human services. Most funding is concentrated in a few high-dollar awards rather than many small grants.
A $3 million grant to the Community Foundation of Abilene for the Abilene Heritage Square project sets the tone for The Karakin Foundation’s recent giving: large, place-based awards tied to civic redevelopment and local infrastructure. That same pattern appears in other major gifts in Abilene, including funding for soccer fields, a zoological capital expansion, a school renovation, and a rehabilitation center capital project. The foundation also backs direct-service health and family support work, ranging from a maternal health program to hospital and nursing education support. The grant list shows a funder comfortable making seven-figure awards and repeated six-figure commitments, often to organizations that anchor community life or deliver essential services. Some of the most visible local recipients are Abilene Heritage Square Inc, Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation, Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation. Outside that local cluster, the foundation extends into veterans’ housing and adaptive-home support, child and family services, and health access efforts in Cambodia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. The result is a grantmaking profile that combines hometown capital projects with targeted human-services funding across a broad national footprint.
Civic and capital projects are central to the portfolio. In 2025, The Karakin Foundation gave $3 million to the Community Foundation of Abilene for the Abilene Heritage Square project, $1 million to the Abilene Youth Sports Authority for soccer fields, and $1 million to the Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation for capital expansion. Health-related giving appears in both local and international forms. The foundation awarded $800,000 to the Hendrick Medical Center Foundation for A Foundation for the Future and $500,000 to Hardin-Simmons University for the School of Nursing, while also supporting Maternal Help Hope Fund with a $1 million grant for ELIM. Veterans and housing are another clear theme. Operation Finally Home received $250,000 for home modifications for veterans and first responders, and Homes for Our Troops received $650,000 for adaptive housing for wounded vets. The foundation also funded specialized adaptive equipment and service-member support through the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
$16.4M
$193.7M
$28.8M
$20.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $196K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$196K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Karakin Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 430 | $52.8M | 99.1% |
| 2 | Cambodia | 4 |
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Concentrated, large capital grants and project-specific awards (5 grants totaling $7M), primarily local recipients in Abilene; mix of direct funding to nonprofits and a major pass-through to the Community Foundation of Abilene for a flagship project.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation of Abilene, Abilene Heritage Square Inc, Abilene Youth Sports Authority, Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation, Maternal Help Hope Fund
The Karakin Foundation’s typical grants cluster at the upper end of six figures: p25 is $25,000, the median is $100,000, and p75 is $195,662. Recent awards also include several seven-figure grants, which indicates a willingness to make unusually large commitments alongside smaller support. The foundation is classified as a Regular Funder and funds individuals. The recent grant list shows repeat support to the same organizations across different years, including Community Foundation of Abilene and Healthy Kids Brighter Future Inc, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts only.
Although the foundation gives nationally, Texas is where it grants most often, and 18% of grants go to recipients in its HQ state. Abilene is the clearest local hub, with multiple recipients there: Community Foundation of Abilene, Abilene Youth Sports Authority, Grover Nelson Park Zoological Foundation, West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation, Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, Hardin-Simmons University, and United Way of Abilene. Outside Texas, the recent list includes recipients in San Jose, Brunswick, Fairfax, Washington, DC, and New York, along with international program destinations in Cambodia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on capital and facility projects, including Abilene Heritage Square, soccer fields, a zoological capital expansion, school renovation, and a rehabilitation center capital project. The portfolio also includes health, veterans, and family-support work.
Yes. Recent grants include $650,000 to Homes for Our Troops for adaptive housing for wounded vets, $600,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation for specially adapted homes for wounded service members, and $250,000 to Operation Finally Home for home modifications for veterans and first responders.
The grant-size distribution centers on large awards: p25 is $25,000, the median is $100,000, and p75 is $195,662. The recent list also includes multiple seven-figure grants, including $3 million and several $1 million awards.
Texas is the top state by grant count, and 18% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of Texas. Abilene is especially prominent, with repeated grants to local institutions and projects there.
Yes. The recent grant list includes organizations funded in more than one year, such as Community Foundation of Abilene and Healthy Kids Brighter Future Inc. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships with some recipients rather than purely one-time gifts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $890K |
0.9% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $3,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ABILENE HERITAGE SQUARE PROJECT |
| ABILENE YOUTH SPORTS AUTHORITY | ABILENE, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SOCCER FIELDS |
| GROVER NELSON PARK ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL EXPANSION |
| WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $833,333 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, TX | $800,000 | 2025 | A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE |
| EVERFREE | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | FREEDOM LIFEMAP |
| HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY | ABILENE, TX | $500,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL OF NURSING |
| HEALTHY KIDS BRIGHTER FUTURE INC | BRUNSWICK, ME | $500,000 | 2025 | HEALTHY LEARNERS |
| CHENLA CHILDREN'S HEALTH INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $410,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS - KRATIE, MONDULKIRI AND STUNG TRENG CAMBODIA |
| NEUROKIDS | FAIRFAX, VA | $373,136 | 2025 | BRIDGE PROGRAMS IN VIETNAM |
| APOPO US INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $350,000 | 2025 | MINE DETECTION, SEARCH/RESCUE RATS & WILDLIFE DETECTION RATS |
| TERREWODE WOMEN'S FUND | EUGENE, OR | $300,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| ADMIRAL NIMITZ FOUNDATION | FREDERICKSBURG, TX | $300,000 | 2025 | GALLERY EXPANSION |
| OPERATION FINALLY HOME | DALLAS, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | HOME MODIFICATIONS FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ABILENE | ABILENE, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | BUILDING PROJECT |
| NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $250,000 | 2025 | THE BLUE SCHOOL INITIATIVE |
| MATERNAL HEALTH HOPE FUND | SAN JOSE, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | MERCY WOMEN'S CATHOLIC HOSPITAL |
| WATER TO THRIVE | AUSTIN, TX | $208,250 | 2025 | RURAL WATER ACCESS IN TIGRAY ETHIOPIA |
| EMERGENCY USA LIFE SUPPORT FOR CIVILIAN VICTIMS OF WAR AND POVERTY | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | SURGICAL NEEDS IN GODERICH, SIERRA LEONE |
| FOSTER LOVE - TOGETHER WE RISE | BREA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM |
| SUDAN RELIEF FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | DOCTORS TO THE WORLD |
| TEAM RUBICON | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | DISASTER OPERATIONS IN TEXAS |
| OPERATION HEALING FORCES | TAMPA, FL | $200,000 | 2025 | IMMEDIATE NEEDS PROGRAM |
| ABILENE PRESERVATION LEAGUE | ABILENE, TX | $175,000 | 2025 | ELKS ARTS CENTER |
| WATSI INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $175,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| SEMPER FI FUND | OCEANSIDE, CA | $175,000 | 2025 | SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM |
| ALL HANDS AND HEARTS SMART RESPONSE | MATTAPOISETT, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| GARY SINISE FOUNDATION | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | SMART HOME IN TEXAS |
| THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | HORSE BARN |
| PROJECT EXPEDITE JUSTICE | KAILUA KONA, HI | $150,000 | 2025 | JUSTICE-BASED WORK IN SUDAN, DRC AND ETHIOPIA AND UKRAINE |
| CHRISTINA NOBLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | CNCF VIETNAM OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR 2025 |
| FUND FOR GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $132,000 | 2025 | KWO AND KWAT SUPPORT IN MYANMAR |
| DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK OF AMERICA-DNA MINISTRIES | SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN | $125,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | VETERAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND GENERAL OPERATING |
| SE ASIA FOUNDATION | EDMONDS, WA | $123,000 | 2025 | ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PHUKET, THAILAND |
| HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS | TAUNTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | HOMES FOR VETERANS IN TEXAS |
| FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SPONSOR A FISHER HOUSE FAMILY IN TEXAS |
| EXODUS ROAD INC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | FREEDOM HOME AND GENERAL OPERATING |
| AFRICAN MISSION HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | DELAND, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GIDEL MOTHER OF MERCY HOSPITAL |
| SOLA SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP AFGHANISTAN | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| HEADSTRONG PROJECT | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT |
| EARTH MISSION INC | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $98,780 | 2025 | KAREN STATE, MYANMAR HOSPITAL & EDUCATION |
| SOLHEALTH | THE WOODLANDS, TX | $80,000 | 2025 | HEALTHCARE SUPPORT IN THE GAMBIA |
| PIVOT | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $80,000 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS |
| THE DANIEL R SAYRE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION INC | KAILUAKONA, HI | $75,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR AIR AMBULANCE |
| GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES | ABILENE, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | GOOD 360 |
| 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY INC | XENIA, OH | $51,312 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| EVERFREE | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GLOBAL LEARNING COMMUNITY |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION | PLACITAS, NM | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION NEEDS OF MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES |
| CHRISTIAN HEALTH SERVICE CORPS | GRAND SALINE, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT - KALUKEMBE |
GROVER NELSON PARK ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
$1,000,000CAPITAL EXPANSION
HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$800,000A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
EVERFREE
FREEDOM LIFEMAP
HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
$500,000SCHOOL OF NURSING
HEALTHY KIDS BRIGHTER FUTURE INC
$500,000HEALTHY LEARNERS
CHENLA CHILDREN'S HEALTH INC
$410,000OPERATIONS - KRATIE, MONDULKIRI AND STUNG TRENG CAMBODIA
NEUROKIDS
$373,136BRIDGE PROGRAMS IN VIETNAM
APOPO US INC
$350,000MINE DETECTION, SEARCH/RESCUE RATS & WILDLIFE DETECTION RATS
TERREWODE WOMEN'S FUND
$300,000OPERATIONS
OPERATION FINALLY HOME
$250,000HOME MODIFICATIONS FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
MATERNAL HEALTH HOPE FUND
$250,000MERCY WOMEN'S CATHOLIC HOSPITAL
SURGICAL NEEDS IN GODERICH, SIERRA LEONE
ABILENE PRESERVATION LEAGUE
$175,000ELKS ARTS CENTER
SEMPER FI FUND
$175,000SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
GARY SINISE FOUNDATION
$150,000SMART HOME IN TEXAS
THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$150,000HORSE BARN
PROJECT EXPEDITE JUSTICE
$150,000JUSTICE-BASED WORK IN SUDAN, DRC AND ETHIOPIA AND UKRAINE
CHRISTINA NOBLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$150,000CNCF VIETNAM OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR 2025
DISCIPLESHIP NETWORK OF AMERICA-DNA MINISTRIES
$125,000OPERATIONS
HOOVER INSTITUTION STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$125,000VETERAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND GENERAL OPERATING
HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS
$100,000HOMES FOR VETERANS IN TEXAS
SOLA SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP AFGHANISTAN
$100,000OPERATIONS
EARTH MISSION INC
$98,780KAREN STATE, MYANMAR HOSPITAL & EDUCATION
SOLHEALTH
$80,000HEALTHCARE SUPPORT IN THE GAMBIA
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR AIR AMBULANCE
GLOBAL SAMARITAN RESOURCES
$75,000GOOD 360
FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION
$50,000EDUCATION NEEDS OF MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES