The DDK Foundation
The DDK Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants supported organizations in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, including educational, charitable, religious, and arts recipients.
The DDK Foundation at a glance
In short: The DDK Foundation gave $40K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $40,450
- +16.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,889
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,750
- Total assets
- $569,475
- -8.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The DDK Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. The 2024 filing says to contact Donald R. Kardon with a letter containing information about the applicant and its need. It lists no application deadline and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Donald R Kardon
Mailing address: 440 S Broad Street Unit 2302, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 735-1606
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The DDK Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was PCMS ($15K). Together the top 10 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 79 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 7% to New York, and 2% to Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The DDK Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $500; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $3K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 32% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 122% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2023) to $59K (2021). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PCMS Phialadelphia, PA | Educational | $15,000 |
| Barnes Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Educational | $7,000 |
| Philadelphia Orchestra Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $3,500 |
| Foreign Policy Research Institute Philadelphia, PA | Educational | $2,900 |
| Rodeph Shalom Philadelphia, PA | Religious | $2,800 |
| Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | Charitable | $2,750 |
| Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Yale University Hew Haven, CT | Educational | $1,000 |
| Jewish Fed of Greater Phila Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Philadelphia Chamber Music Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with The DDK Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $569,475 | $26,314 | $48,137 | $40,450 | 14 | $40,450 | $26,314 | $33,076 |
| 2023 | $620,252 | $-19,585 | $44,780 | $34,680 | 15 | $34,680 | $27,631 | $31,011 |
| 2022 | $718,156 | $31,565 | $51,833 | $43,775 | 14 | $43,775 | $23,507 | $33,295 |
| 2021 | $719,171 | $54,520 | $67,451 | $59,115 | 18 | $59,115 | $46,184 | $37,444 |
| 2020 | $777,522 | $58,748 | $63,338 | $54,035 | 18 | — | $23,437 | $34,876 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The DDK Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with educational, charitable, religious, and arts purposes. One recipient, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, describes its own mission as producing scholarship and nonpartisan policy analysis on U.S. foreign policy and national security, and educating policymakers and the public through history, geography, and culture.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $40,450. Grants ranged from $250 to $15,000, with a median grant of $1,750. Notable awards included $15,000 to PCMS and $7,000 to the Barnes Foundation, both for educational purposes; $3,500 to the Philadelphia Orchestra for charitable purposes; and $2,900 to the Foreign Policy Research Institute for educational purposes.
Other listed 2024 grants included $2,800 to Rodeph Shalom, $2,750 to the Metropolitan Opera, $2,500 to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, $1,000 each to Yale University and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and $500 each to Philadelphia Chamber Music, WHYY, and Ballet X.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Donald R. Kardon and Dorothy R. Kardon as trustees.
The DDK Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Donald R. Kardon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy R. Kardon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The DDK Foundation
How much does The DDK Foundation give each year?
The DDK Foundation gave $40K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $35K across 15 grants.
What is The DDK Foundation's typical grant size?
The DDK Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,750, and its average grant was $2,889, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The DDK Foundation that year got $500 on average.
Where does The DDK Foundation give grants?
The DDK Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (11 grants).
Does The DDK Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The DDK Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (7 grants) and "Charitable" (5 grants).
Who are The DDK Foundation's largest grantees?
The DDK Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include PCMS ($15,000), Barnes Foundation ($7,000) and Philadelphia Orchestra ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The DDK Foundation?
The DDK Foundation reported $569K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $33K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The DDK Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with educational, charitable, religious, and arts purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The DDK Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The DDK Foundation's EIN?
The DDK Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8305387. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The DDK Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The DDK Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Pennsylvania
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Philadelphia Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Foundation supports economic mobility and other community needs through grants to nonprofits, including workforce development, direct services, and initiatives addressing urgent regional challenges. In 2024, its median grant was $25,500, and its primary service area is Greater Philadelphia; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$704.6M
Grants
715
Total Given
$39.1M
The Marta and Robert Adelson Family Foundation
Merion Station, PA
The foundation supports arts and cultural, educational, and community-service organizations, with most 2025 grant funding going to Pennsylvania and additional support in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Its 27 grants ranged from $250 to $27,500, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
27
Total Given
$200K
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The DDK Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The DDK Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?