The EJK Foundation is a private foundation established in 2018 through the generous bequest of Dr. Emily J. Knobloch, honoring the legacy of her father, Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, the foundation operates as a limited-life foundation dedicated to environmental conservation and protection of ecologically valuable landscapes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$51.9M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
-38.2% YoY
Grant Count
20
+53.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$128K
-59.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, EJK Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The EJK Foundation seeks to protect ecologically valuable landscapes throughout North America by making grants to advance landscape-scale conservation initiatives. The foundation prioritizes projects that feature strong ecological values, sound plans for permanent protection, and long-term stewardship. The foundation seeks out projects with clear momentum that incorporate innovative approaches with the potential to serve as models for future conservation efforts.
Grantmaking
The EJK Foundation accepts grant proposals by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$400 to $2,000,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds conservation initiatives across North America, with particular activity in states including Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, and other U.S. locations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023-2024:
- Total assets: $48.1 million
- Total revenues (2023): $6,150,491
- Total expenses (2023): $4,394,793
- Investment income and dividends (2023): $1,875,462
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,862,103 | $48,064,591 | $45,637,890 |
| Revenue | $6,838,352 | $6,150,491 | $26,543,875 |
| Expenses | $3,040,840 | $4,394,793 | $3,727,687 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,771,316 | $4,155,726 | $3,561,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,228,356 | $5,911,424 | $785,916 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,408,916 | $2,811,174 | $2,924,273 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northeast Wilderness Trust ($750,000), Community Foundation of Jackson Hole ($600,000), Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOONE & CROCKETT CLUB MISSOULA, MT | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENT EQUITY AND RESILIENCE HOUSTON, TX | Toward the Parks Analyst position fund | $15,000 |
| COASTAL PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY HOUSTON, TX | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE JACKSON, WY | General & Unrestricted | $600,000 |
| ELKHORN MARINE CONSERVANCY INC ROCHESTER, NY | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION KEMAH, TX | for land stewardship and maintenance | $50,000 |
| MAINE AUDUBON SOCIETY FALMOUTH, ME | General & Unrestricted | $11,000 |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY BIRMINGHAM, AL | Splinter Hill Bog Preserve Acquisition fund | $19,000 |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST MONTPELIER, VT | Lary Brook Forest ecological assessment fund | $24,984 |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST MONTPELIER, VT | for the acquisition of the Mountain Brook | $750,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Foundation leadership includes:
- Carla Knobloch (Trustee)
- Stevens Sharkey (Trustee)
- Elizabeth Graves Love (Trustee, compensated at $76,000)
- Brian Yablonski (Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Knobloch | Treas, Trustee | 1 | — |
| Elizabeth Graves Love | Trustee | 12 | — |
| Stevens Sharkey | Sec, Trustee | 1 | — |
| Brian Yablonski | Trustee | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EJK Foundation fund?
The EJK Foundation seeks to protect ecologically valuable landscapes throughout North America by making grants to advance landscape-scale conservation initiatives. The foundation prioritizes projects that feature strong ecological values, sound plans for permanent protection, and long-term stewardship. The foundation seeks out projects with clear momentum that incorporate innovative approaches with the potential to serve as models for future conservation efforts.
How do I apply for a grant from EJK Foundation?
The EJK Foundation accepts grant proposals by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $4.2 million across 13 grants • Total giving in 2023: $3.6 million across 14 grants • Grant range: $400 to $2,000,000 • Median grant size: $134,000 (2024) **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Appalachian Mountain Club: $2,000,000 • The Conservation Fund: $676,146 • Maine Mountain Collaborative: $250,000 • Trust for Public Land: $356,000 • Maine…
Where does EJK Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds conservation initiatives across North America, with particular activity in states including Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Florida, and other U.S. locations.
What size grants does EJK Foundation award?
In 2024, EJK Foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $128K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is EJK Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, EJK Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is EJK Foundation's EIN?
EJK Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4229407. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in EJK Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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