The Kaphan Foundation is a private foundation established in 2003 and based in Seattle, Washington. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on supporting progressive causes at local and national levels.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$141.4M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.9M
+4.0% YoY
Grant Count
86
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$267K
+4.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a broad range of progressive causes with particular emphasis on:
- Civic engagement and democracy
- Global development and health
- Criminal and immigrant justice
- Reproductive and maternal health
- Education
- Economic opportunity
- Jewish causes
- Human rights and social justice
- Community health
The foundation is responsive to emerging issues and demonstrates flexibility in its grantmaking priorities across these areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Connection to Sheldon J. Kaphan or a past grantee may be necessary to be considered for funding.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives locally in Seattle, Washington, but also supports national organizations and U.S.-based global nonprofits. Primary funding areas include Washington, New York, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $141,398,672
- Total Revenue: $5,733,988
- Total Expenses: $24,073,451
- Total Giving: $22,932,455
- Total Liabilities: $753
- Net Income: -$18,339,463
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Total grants and contributions: $3,050,477
- Investment income and dividends: $1,451,878
The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since April 2005.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $141,398,672 | $138,998,461 | $137,634,375 |
| Revenue | $5,733,988 | $3,996,290 | $3,324,194 |
| Expenses | $24,073,451 | $22,809,414 | $22,560,291 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $23,810,253 | $23,150,187 | $22,371,370 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,730,262 | $1,781,067 | $1,804,822 |
| Distributable Amount | $20,224,595 | $14,910,902 | $16,765,490 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sheldon J. Kaphan – President and Treasurer (unpaid position, 20 hours/week). Founder and steering force of the foundation. Former vice president and CTO of Amazon.com, responsible for the online retailer's early programming. Serves on the board of MapLight.
- Martin Collier – Co-Executive Director ($121,000 compensation, 20 hours/week)
- Sarah Meyer – Co-Executive Director ($208,000 compensation, 40 hours/week)
- Erica Locke – Vice President and Secretary ($12,000 compensation, 20 hours/week)
Staff: The foundation employs 2 full-time equivalent staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELDON J KAPHAN | PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 20 | — |
| ERICA LOCKE | VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY | 20 | $12,233 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains a low profile and does not maintain a public website, which limits publicly available information on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Tax filings indicate ongoing support for some grantees while also demonstrating responsiveness to emerging issues in areas such as democracy, reproductive health, and criminal justice.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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