The Thomas D. Klingenstein Fund concentrates substantial support on conservative public‑policy institutions, civic/cultural preservation groups, and faith‑aligned charitable networks. A single organization—the Claremont Institute—receives the largest share of funding through multiple grants, while other gifts back Christian philanthropic vehicles and civic arts advocacy. The foundation relies on donor‑advised and charitable-fund channels alongside direct grants to advance conservative intellectual and cultural causes.
A single organization, The Claremont Institute, receives repeated large grants from the Thomas D Klingenstein Fund, including awards tied to The American Story Project and a separate grant labeled John Tartovsky. That pattern sits alongside major support for Christian charitable infrastructure and civic-art preservation work, showing a funder that combines institutional backing with project-specific grants. In the recent grant list, one of the largest awards went to Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc for general operating support, while other sizable gifts went to National Civic Art Society, American Vicarious, and American Principles Foundation. The fund’s grantmaking reaches beyond one-off awards. It supports general operating budgets, named projects, and recurring relationships with a small set of organizations over multiple years. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including The Claremont Institute, National Civic Art Society, American Vicarious, and The American Strategy Group. The foundation also uses affiliated charitable-fund channels, including The Thomas D Klingenstein Charles Schwab Fund and Schwab Daf, to move money into the same broader conservative, civic, and faith-aligned network.
The Thomas D Klingenstein Fund supports a conservative public-policy and ideas ecosystem through grants to think tanks, journals, and policy groups. The Edmund Burke Foundation received $201,258 in 2025 for general operating support, and Center for Renewing America received $175,000 in 2024 for general operating support. In civic arts and preservation, the fund backed National Civic Art Society with $1,220,206 in 2023 for BRC Travel, followed by another $487,408 in 2024 for the same purpose and $313,750 in 2024 for general operating support. It also supported American Vicarious with $482,949 in 2024 and $307,017 in 2025 for general operating. Faith-based philanthropic infrastructure is another visible strand. Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc received $4,612,302 in 2025 for general operating support, and additional grants went to Christian-linked charitable vehicles through Schwab DAF channels.
Typical grants sit at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,084 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list also includes several seven-figure awards. The fund makes repeated grants to the same organizations across years, especially The Claremont Institute, National Civic Art Society, American Vicarious, and The American Strategy Group. It gives through direct grants and through donor-advised or charitable-fund structures, including The Thomas D Klingenstein Charles Schwab Fund and Schwab Daf. The pattern leans heavily toward general operating support, with some project-specific and event-related awards mixed in.
$12M
$76.8M
$95.7M
$12.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Highly concentrated giving with a few large grants; repeated multi‑year support for flagship grantees (notably the Claremont Institute) alongside sizeable gifts to faith‑aligned and donor‑advised vehicles.
Notable grantees: The Claremont Institute, National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc., National Civic Art Society, American Principles Foundation, The Thomas D. Klingenstein Charles Schwab Fund
Grant recipients are all in the United States, and the top state by grant count is Maine. The recent list shows a strong presence in Washington, DC, including National Civic Art Society, Informing America Foundation, The Edmund Burke Foundation, Daily Caller News Foundation, and Center for Renewing America. California recipients include Upland, Claremont, Irvine, and one of the fund’s largest recurring grantees in Upland. Other repeated locations include New York City-area recipients such as Brooklyn and Yonkers, plus Portland, Maine.
The fund supports conservative public-policy and ideas organizations, civic and cultural preservation groups, and Christian charitable networks. Recent grants also show support for nonprofit media, history and civic education groups, and organizations involved in architecture or civic arts advocacy.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support across years for The Claremont Institute, National Civic Art Society, American Vicarious, and The American Strategy Group. Several of these organizations received both general operating support and project-specific funding.
The fund’s grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards, with a 25th percentile of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a 75th percentile of $100,084. At the same time, the recent list includes larger awards above $1 million.
Its grants are national, but the highest recipient count is in Maine. The recent list also shows substantial activity in Washington, DC; California; New York; and several other states.
General operating support is common, especially for policy groups, media organizations, and charitable infrastructure. The fund also makes project-specific grants, such as The American Story Project and BRC Travel, and it uses affiliated charitable-fund channels in addition to direct grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FDN INC | ALPHARETTA, GA | $4,612,302 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE | UPLAND, CA | $4,346,278 | 2025 | THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT |
| SCHWAB DAF | OMAHA, NE | $788,010 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REAL CLEAR FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $503,998 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN VICARIOUS | BROOKLYN, NY | $307,017 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MADISON MEDIA FUND | IRVINE, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE EDMUND BURKE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $201,258 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE AMERICAN STRATEGY GROUP | CLAREMONT, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS | NEW YORK, NY | $150,492 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| 7 LAKES ALLIANCE | BELGRADE LAKES, ME | $125,784 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN LIBERTY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $102,014 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MERCY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | HONOR OF PATRICIA KLINGENSTEIN |
| THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN COMPASS | ROSWELL, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE NEW CRITERION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENCOUNTER BOOKS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CAMP TIMANOUS | RAYMOND, ME | $23,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $14,680 | 2025 | CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE - HISTORY MAKERS GALA |
| COALITION FOR YOUTH DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE WITHERSPOON INSTITUTE | PRINCETON, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | A. HAMILTON AWARD DINNER |
| DEERFIELD ACADEMY | DEERFIELD, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOI INC | TUCKER, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHRONICLES MAGAZINE A MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN CULTURE | NORTHBROOK, IL | $5,200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAINE LAKES SOCIETY | BELGRADE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMENTARY FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BELGRADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | BELGRADE, ME | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE | UPLAND, CA | $3,317,417 | 2024 | THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT |
| THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE | UPLAND, CA | $2,532,429 | 2024 | JOHN TARTOVSKY |
| THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE | UPLAND, CA | $1,751,297 | 2024 | THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT |
| THE THOMAS D KLINGENSTEIN CHARLES SCHWAB FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $1,132,287 | 2024 | CHARITABLE FUND |
| AMERICAN PRINCIPLES FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,004,549 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCHWAB DAF | OMAHA, NE | $862,180 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INFORMING AMERICA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CIVIC ART SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $487,408 | 2024 | BRC TRAVEL |
| AMERICAN VICARIOUS | BROOKLYN, NY | $482,949 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EDUCATION ACTION GROUP FOUNDATION | MUSKEGON, MI | $425,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CIVIC ART SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $313,750 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FARRIS LAW | GARDINER, ME | $257,918 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE | PORTLAND, ME | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE AMERICAN STRATEGY GROUP | CLAREMONT, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOLDIERS SAVE LIVES CORPORATION | YONKERS, NY | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COURAGE IS A HABIT | NOBLESVILLE, IN | $175,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR RENEWING AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $175,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $175,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
NATL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FDN INC
$4,612,302GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE
$4,346,278THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT
SCHWAB DAF
$788,010GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REAL CLEAR FOUNDATION
$503,998GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN VICARIOUS
$307,017GENERAL OPERATING
MADISON MEDIA FUND
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE EDMUND BURKE FOUNDATION
$201,258GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE AMERICAN STRATEGY GROUP
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOLARS
$150,492GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
7 LAKES ALLIANCE
$125,784GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN LIBERTY
$102,014GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MERCY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$50,000HONOR OF PATRICIA KLINGENSTEIN
THE BUCKEYE INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN COMPASS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE NEW CRITERION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ENCOUNTER BOOKS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEW YORK CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CAMP TIMANOUS
$23,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$14,680CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE - HISTORY MAKERS GALA
COALITION FOR YOUTH DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE WITHERSPOON INSTITUTE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE
$10,000A. HAMILTON AWARD DINNER
DEERFIELD ACADEMY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOI INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHRONICLES MAGAZINE A MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN CULTURE
$5,200GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAINE LAKES SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMENTARY FUND
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BELGRADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE
$3,317,417THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT
THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE
$2,532,429JOHN TARTOVSKY
THE CLAREMONT INSTITUTE
$1,751,297THE AMERICAN STORY PROJECT
THE THOMAS D KLINGENSTEIN CHARLES SCHWAB FUND
$1,132,287CHARITABLE FUND
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES FOUNDATION
$1,004,549GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCHWAB DAF
$862,180GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INFORMING AMERICA FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL CIVIC ART SOCIETY
$487,408BRC TRAVEL
AMERICAN VICARIOUS
$482,949GENERAL OPERATING
EDUCATION ACTION GROUP FOUNDATION
$425,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL CIVIC ART SOCIETY
$313,750GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FARRIS LAW
$257,918GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAINE POLICY INSTITUTE
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE AMERICAN STRATEGY GROUP
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOLDIERS SAVE LIVES CORPORATION
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COURAGE IS A HABIT
$175,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTER FOR RENEWING AMERICA
$175,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION
$175,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT