Karnell Foundation Inc
KARNELL FOUNDATION INC is a private foundation based in Phoenix, Arizona. In its 2025 filing, it reported 24 grants totaling $517,744 to charitable organizations, including organizations in Arizona and several other states.
Key facts about Karnell Foundation Inc
In short: Karnell Foundation Inc gave $518K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), top state Arizona. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-8117573
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $517,744
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- Average grant
- $21,573
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (4 of 24, 2025)
- Total assets
- $6,364,581
- Primary geography
- Arizona (29% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.4M
+31.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$518K
+233.4% YoY
Grant Count
24
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
+150.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Karnell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Karnell Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 24 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 116% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 270% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included general assistance and general fund contributions, as well as a grant designated for assistance with the homeless and needy.
The supported organizations described in their own words include Rose Community Foundation, which says it works to strengthen communities in Greater Denver and beyond through philanthropy and services for donors and nonprofits, including work in Jewish focus areas. Life Choices Women’s Clinic describes itself as providing medical care, counseling, and education to women and their families. Phoenix Children’s Hospital says its mission is to advance hope, healing, and the best healthcare for children and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $517,744. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $100,500, with a median grant of $10,000.
Ready to take the next step with Karnell Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Arizona (29%), Illinois (19%), Colorado (13%), Missouri (10%), and North Carolina (10%). The listed grants also went to organizations in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $115K (2019) to $518K (2025). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $518K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Thomas Moore Society ($101K). Together the top 10 received $441K.
Grant Size Distribution
114 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 107 grants of 114 (94%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Moore Society Chicago, IL | General Assistance | $100,500 |
| Rose Community Foundation Denver, CO | General Assistance | $66,666 |
| St Vincent Depaul St. Louis, MO | Assistance with the Homeless and Needy | $50,000 |
| Duke University Foundation Durham, NC | General Assistance | $50,000 |
| Congregation Beth Israel Scottsdale, AZ | General Fund | $38,385 |
| Jewish National Fund New York, NY | General fund contribution for the preservation of the people of israel | $30,000 |
| Mission of Mercy Fairfield, PA | General Fund | $29,548 |
| The Jewish Federation Scottsdale, AZ | General Fund | $25,750 |
| Cteen of the Valley Phoenix, AZ | General Fund | $25,000 |
| Coelho Ranch Foundation Greenfield, CA | General Assistance | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,364,581 | $2,034,814 | $518,419 | $517,744 |
| 2024 | $4,848,186 | $491,395 | $155,968 | $155,293 |
| 2023 | $4,512,759 | -$66,572 | $205,299 | $204,649 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,364,581 | $4,848,186 | $4,512,759 |
| Revenue | $2,034,814 | $491,395 | $-66,572 |
| Expenses | $518,419 | $155,968 | $205,299 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $517,744 | $155,293 | $204,649 |
| Net Investment Income | $284,312 | $335,427 | $26,267 |
| Distributable Amount | $191,430 | $141,326 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jerrold B. Karnell and Jean M. Karnell as trustees.
Karnell Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jean M. Karnell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerrold B. Karnell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 712 W Kaler, Phoenix, AZ 85021
Phone: (602) 809-5636
Frequently asked questions about Karnell Foundation Inc
How much does Karnell Foundation Inc give each year?
Karnell Foundation Inc gave $518K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $155K across 18 grants.
What is Karnell Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Karnell Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $21,573, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Karnell Foundation Inc that year got $36K on average.
Where does Karnell Foundation Inc give grants?
Karnell Foundation Inc's top state is Arizona, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (19%) and Colorado (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (8 grants), Scottsdale, AZ (2 grants) and Flagstaff, AZ (2 grants).
Does Karnell Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Karnell Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Karnell Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Karnell Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Thomas Moore Society ($100,500), Rose Community Foundation ($66,666) and St Vincent Depaul ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Karnell Foundation Inc?
Karnell Foundation Inc reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $518K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $191K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Karnell Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included general assistance and general fund contributions, as well as a grant designated for assistance with the homeless and needy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Karnell Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Karnell Foundation Inc's EIN?
Karnell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8117573. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Karnell Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Karnell Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Karnell Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Arizona Community Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Arizona Community Foundation funds eligible nonprofits and community-serving organizations across arts and culture, education, community development, health and human services, the environment, and other areas, primarily in Arizona and sometimes nationally. Its 2025 median grant was $17,760; it accepts competitive applications during grant cycles, while donor-advised grants cannot be applied for.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,174
Total Given
$92.9M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Louis & Lillian Glazer Family Foundation
New Orleans, LA
The foundation funds religious and educational programs, schools, social services, arts and culture, and organizations serving children and families, with most grants going to Louisiana and some support in other states. Its 2025 grants ranged from $52 to $11,758, with a median grant of $1,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
77
Total Given
$121K
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons is a donor-advised fund provider whose donor-directed grants support eligible U.S. public charities across a broad range of causes; international organizations may also qualify with additional review and fees. In 2024, grants had a median of $15,000, with itemized awards ranging from $5,001 to $10,073,050, and recipients were located across the United States, especially in California, Texas, Nebraska, New York, and Kansas. It describes a grant-request process for donors, not an application process for organizations, so unsolicited requests are not stated as accepted.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
America's Charities
Chantilly, VA
America’s Charities distributes workplace-giving contributions to member nonprofits working in areas such as education, health, hunger, human rights, and disaster relief; it also manages emergency assistance for eligible employees. In 2024, reported grants ranged from $5,017 to $1,379,226, with a median of $9,674, and recipients were concentrated in California, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. These disbursements are donor-directed contributions rather than competitive grants; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$36.2M
Grants
808
Total Given
$16.4M
The Picerne Family Charitable Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix-based Picerne Family Charitable Foundation funds nonprofits and programs in education, arts, health and mental health, older-adult services, affordable housing, equity, and the environment. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,250, though amounts varied widely; specific programs offer awards up to $15,000 and serve areas including Southern California, San Diego, and Orange County. The profile describes application processes for certain programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited general requests.
Assets
$23.9M
Grants
672
Total Given
$2.5M
Petsmart Charities Inc
Phoenix, AZ
PetSmart Charities funds nonprofit and municipal programs for companion animals, including adoption, veterinary-care access, pet-food assistance, and disaster response. Its 2026 grants had a median of $15,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $8.1 million, for eligible organizations in the United States, its territories, and Canada. The profile lists application pathways for several grant programs; its Accelerator Sustainable Veterinary Care Grants are invitation-only.
Assets
$96.8M
Grants
655
Total Given
$48.1M
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust
Phoenix, AZ
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust funds nonprofits and community partners serving Maricopa County, Arizona, in arts and culture, children, education, healthcare, older adults, religion, and nonprofit capacity. In 2025, grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It uses a competitive application process that begins with a Letter of Inquiry; unsolicited requests are not explicitly addressed.
Assets
$429.9M
Grants
483
Total Given
$24.5M
St Mary's Food Bank Alliance
Phoenix, AZ
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance funds nonprofit food assistance in Arizona, including food banks, pantries, meal programs, and services for children and seniors. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $96,000, though awards ranged from about $5,000 to $8.35 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.8M
Grants
409
Total Given
$145.3M
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
Phoenix, AZ
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation funds nutrition education and access, school and community gardens, cooking education, wellness, and disaster relief. Its open grants typically provide $5,000–$10,000; larger awards include two-year grants of $50,000–$100,000 and multi-year Impact Grants of varying amounts. It supports eligible nonprofits and public schools in states where Sprouts operates, and accepts applications through its grants portal.
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
349
Total Given
$13.1M
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Tucson, AZ
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona funds community-driven nonprofits through programs for general operating support, grassroots groups, scholarships, local news, solar projects, and other community priorities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,300 to $1,062,929, with a median of $20,000, and primarily support Southern Arizona’s seven counties and six tribal nations. It offers competitive grant rounds; apply according to the specific opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$219.5M
Grants
346
Total Given
$11.8M
More Funders in Arizona
Karnell Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?