The Karsh Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in large, strategic gifts primarily to higher education and education-access causes, with a clear emphasis on supporting universities, law school programs, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBUs). It also makes significant targeted investments in health institutions and campus/athletic facility development. Grants are few but sizable, often repeated to the same institutions, indicating relationship-driven, impact-focused giving rather than broad small-dollar philanthropy.
A defining feature of The Karsh Family Foundation’s giving is its repeated concentration of very large grants to universities and related academic institutions. The University of Virginia appears in back-to-back years with $10,000,000 in 2023 and $5,300,000 in 2024, while the University of Virginia Law School Foundation received $3,400,000 in each of those same years. That pattern points to relationship-based support rather than one-off awards. The foundation also makes major commitments to institutions serving Black higher education, including Howard University and United Negro College Fund Inc., alongside sizable support for charter school organizations such as KIPP Foundation and Charter School Growth Fund. Health and campus-related philanthropy also sit within the portfolio, with grants to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Carol Kimmelman Athletic and Academic Campus Inc. The grant record suggests a strategy built around large institutional gifts, often repeated across multiple years, with education as the central thread and selected cultural or community institutions also receiving substantial support.
Education is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $5,000,000 to Kipp Foundation in 2024 and $1,280,000 to Kipp SoCal Public Schools in 2023, showing support for charter school infrastructure and school networks. In higher education, the foundation awarded $1,000,000 to Spelman College in both 2023 and 2024, and $500,000 to the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. It also funded legal education with $3,400,000 to University of Virginia Law School Foundation in 2024 and again in 2023. Beyond education, the foundation’s giving includes cultural and civic institutions such as $1,000,000 to Skirball Cultural Center in 2024 and $500,000 to Smithsonian Institution for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2023.
Typical grant size centers on $25,000 median, with a p25 of $10,000 and a p75 of $250,000, but the recent record shows a much larger institutional tier above that range. The foundation’s giving is relationship-driven: multiple recipients appear in consecutive years, including the University of Virginia, Howard University, United Negro College Fund Inc., Spelman College, KIPP Foundation, and Stephen S Wise Temple. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund. The grants are primarily institutional support, with a strong emphasis on recurring commitments to the same organizations over time.
$20.6M
$412.9M
$66.9M
$22.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $250K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$250K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated giving: a small number of very large grants, frequent repeat funding to select institutional grantees, favoring capital, endowment, or program-level investments over many small awards.
Notable grantees: University of Virginia, University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Howard University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, KIPP Foundation
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, and California accounts for 51% of grants. The strongest recipient hubs include Charlottesville, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. California locations appear often, with recipients in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and the KIPP SoCal Public Schools network. Outside California, the foundation gives repeatedly in Charlottesville to the University of Virginia and its law school foundation, and in Washington, DC to Howard University, United Negro College Fund Inc., and the Smithsonian Institution.
Its recent grants are dominated by universities, law school support, charter school organizations, and other educational institutions. The record also includes medical, cultural, and community institutions such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Skirball Cultural Center, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the University of Virginia, University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Howard University, United Negro College Fund Inc., Spelman College, KIPP Foundation, and Stephen S Wise Temple. That pattern suggests ongoing institutional relationships.
The distribution centers on a p25 of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $250,000. Many recent awards are far larger than the median, including multimillion-dollar grants to universities, charter school organizations, and health institutions.
Yes. California is the top state by grant count, and 51% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Even so, the giving is national, with major recipients in Virginia, Washington, DC, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
Recent education grants include $5,000,000 to Kipp Foundation, $3,400,000 to University of Virginia Law School Foundation, $3,269,600 to The Howard University, and $1,000,000 to Charter School Growth Fund. The pattern also includes support for Spelman College and KIPP SoCal Public Schools.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA - KARSH INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,300,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| KIPP FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,500,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE - FACTS FOR PEACE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE - FACTS FOR PEACE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA (LA & NATIONAL) | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| SPELMAN COLLEGE - KARSH KIPP II SCHOLARSHIP FUND | ATLANTA, GA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HEADCOUNT | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| JEWISH FEDERATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER | SITKA, AK | $250,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER | SITKA, AK | $250,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | ARTS |
| NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED INC (CENTER FOR ART RESEARCH AND ALLIANCES INC) | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2026 | ARTS |
| EDUCATION REFORM NOW | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY TRINITY COLLEGE ANNUAL FUND | DURHAM, NC | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW YORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| EAT LEARN PLAY FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA (NATIONAL) | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY - ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | DURHAM, NC | $83,590 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE MILKEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $77,684 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| SALVATION ARMY (STRAWBERRY FIELDS) | RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| CHILD MIND INSTITUTE | SAN MATEO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| JEWISH BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF LOS ANGELES - (YOUTH MENTORING & COLLEGE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| MANGAWHAI EDUCATION TRUST (CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - FFC R&S KAYNE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $28,245 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE (WBT) - KARSH SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| THE PAINTED TURTLE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| ALLIANCE COLLEGE READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| JEWISH BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| ROCK & SOUL FOREVER FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY COUNCIL (PPCC) & CD11 FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| EISENHOWER EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIPS INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| KIPP SOCAL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THRIVEWELL CANCER FOUNDATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| LULU'S PLACE INC | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| HOWARD UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| JIM SAUNDERS FUND | KAILUA KONA, HI | $10,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| RETT SYNDROME RESEARCH TRUST (RSRT) | TRUMBULL, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| LAFC FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES (LFLA) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
| CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY |
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA - KARSH INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY
$5,300,000EDUCATION
KIPP FOUNDATION
$2,500,000EDUCATION
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE - FACTS FOR PEACE
$2,500,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE - FACTS FOR PEACE
$2,500,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
TEACH FOR AMERICA (LA & NATIONAL)
$1,500,000EDUCATION
LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION
$1,000,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
SPELMAN COLLEGE - KARSH KIPP II SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$1,000,000EDUCATION
HEADCOUNT
$500,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
JEWISH FEDERATION
$250,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER
$250,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
SITKA SOUND SCIENCE CENTER
$250,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM
$250,000ARTS
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED INC (CENTER FOR ART RESEARCH AND ALLIANCES INC)
$250,000ARTS
EDUCATION REFORM NOW
$200,000EDUCATION
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE
$100,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
DUKE UNIVERSITY TRINITY COLLEGE ANNUAL FUND
$100,000EDUCATION
ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW YORK INC
$100,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
EAT LEARN PLAY FOUNDATION
$100,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
TEACH FOR AMERICA (NATIONAL)
$100,000EDUCATION
DUKE UNIVERSITY - ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
$83,590EDUCATION
THE MILKEN INSTITUTE
$77,684EDUCATION
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
$50,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
SALVATION ARMY (STRAWBERRY FIELDS)
$50,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
CHILD MIND INSTITUTE
$50,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
JEWISH BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF LOS ANGELES - (YOUTH MENTORING & COLLEGE
$30,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
MANGAWHAI EDUCATION TRUST (CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - FFC R&S KAYNE
$28,245PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY
$25,000EDUCATION
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE (WBT) - KARSH SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
THE PAINTED TURTLE
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
ALLIANCE COLLEGE READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$25,000EDUCATION
JEWISH BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS LOS ANGELES
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
ROCK & SOUL FOREVER FOUNDATION
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY COUNCIL (PPCC) & CD11 FOUNDATION
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
EISENHOWER EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIPS INC
$25,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
$25,000HEALTH
KIPP SOCAL
$20,000EDUCATION
THRIVEWELL CANCER FOUNDATION
$20,000HEALTH
BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE
$20,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
LULU'S PLACE INC
$20,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES
$15,000HEALTH
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
$12,500EDUCATION
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA
$10,000EDUCATION
JIM SAUNDERS FUND
$10,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000EDUCATION
RETT SYNDROME RESEARCH TRUST (RSRT)
$10,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
LAFC FOUNDATION
$10,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES (LFLA)
$10,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY
CITY OF HOPE
$10,000HEALTH
PUBLIC COUNSEL
$10,000PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY