The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
The J.M. Kaplan Fund Inc is a private foundation based in New York, NY. It supports social, environmental, and cultural causes through grantmaking, with programs focused on environment, heritage conservation, and social justice, as well as the J.M.K. Innovation Prize for early-stage social innovators.
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc at a glance
In short: The JM Kaplan Fund Inc gave $7.4M across 275 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state New York. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,448,690
- +16.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 275
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,086
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $143,637,527
- +2.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (114 of 267, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (45% 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 JM Kaplan Fund Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests for its regular grants; those are by invitation only. The J.M.K. Innovation Prize is the exception. The Fund normally grants to U.S. organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, excluding private foundations, and to state colleges and universities, provided no award funds are used for overhead or administrative expenses. It also considers organizations based outside the United States with documented equivalent 501(c)(3) status. It does not make grants to individuals.
- Contact
Mailing address: 71 West 23Rd Street 9Th Floor, New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 767-0630
Email: bfalahee@jmkfund.org
Website: https://jmkfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
Furthermore Grants in Publishing
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
Amount
US $1,500 - US $12,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Alice Award Grant
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
Amount
US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
The J.M.K. Innovation Prize Grant
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
Amount
Up to US $175,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The JM Kaplan Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Gonzalo Fonseca Foundation ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $2.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,428 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,157 grants of 1,428 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund’s website describes its work as active across the United States and beyond. In 2024, 45% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 17% to recipients in Washington, DC. The filing also reports shares of 5% for California and 4% for Maryland; one other state category is listed without an identifiable state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 275 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The JM Kaplan Fund Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 114 of 267 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 108% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 147% 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 $3.6M (2021) to $8.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 275 grants totaling $7.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Gonzalo Fonseca Foundation New York, NY | Promoting knowledge and understanding of the artistic legacy of the late sculptor gonzalo fonseca | $1,500,000 |
| European Climate Foundation | Pie Americas Programme | $250,000 |
| National Women's Health Network Washington, DC | Frontline Reproductive Freedom Lab | $150,000 |
| Boulouki Itinerant Workshop for the Traditional Building Techniques | (A) Delos: the Farmhouse of Markos. Phase 1 | $140,000 |
| The Academic Research Institute in Iraq (Tarii) Washington, DC | Nimrud Rescue Project: Storage Construction and Plan Development | $106,380 |
| Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium Birmingham, AL | Preserving the Promise of Empowerment | $100,000 |
| America Votes Education Fund Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Balkan Heritage Foundation | Conservation of the "theodosian palace" of stobi, republic of north macedonia | $100,000 |
| Center for Tech and Civic Life Chicago, IL | General Operating Support for the Resilient Elections Network | $100,000 |
| New Leaf Climate Lincoln Park, NJ | Forest Inputs Resilience Fund (Fir Fund) | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The JM Kaplan Fund Inc?
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 | $143,637,527 | $11,111,914 | $11,323,097 | $7,448,690 | 275 | $10,386,349 | $4,215,501 | $7,052,410 |
| 2023 | $139,934,026 | $7,116,856 | $11,507,986 | $6,417,941 | 259 | $9,015,901 | $4,136,053 | $6,747,129 |
| 2022 | $135,414,726 | $7,612,529 | $9,002,448 | $8,673,792 | 375 | $11,200,402 | $2,080,621 | $7,216,828 |
| 2021 | $173,673,187 | $9,220,775 | $12,477,047 | $3,575,943 | 258 | $5,770,341 | $6,528,902 | $8,244,481 |
| 2020 | $160,737,745 | $5,143,959 | $9,622,067 | $7,679,524 | 261 | — | $3,191,637 | $7,158,730 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The JM Kaplan Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund describes its work as championing transformative social, environmental, and cultural causes through inventive grantmaking. Its website identifies environment, heritage conservation, and social justice as current program areas. It also describes the Concord Group’s grantmaking as focused on the future of food systems and the future of media.
The Fund’s 2024 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and activities. The National Women’s Health Network received $150,000 for its Frontline Reproductive Freedom Lab. The network describes its mission as advancing health care that meets diverse women’s needs and protecting women’s health. The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium received $100,000; it says it works to preserve historic buildings, protect authentic stories, and empower communities. The Open Space Institute received $100,000 and describes its work as protecting land for clean water, recreation, healthy communities, and wildlife habitat, and conserving forests and floodplains.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Fund reported 275 grants totaling $7,448,690. Grants ranged from $300 to $1,500,000, with a median of $6,000. Among the largest awards were $1,500,000 to the Gonzalo Fonseca Foundation to promote knowledge and understanding of the late sculptor’s artistic legacy; $250,000 to the European Climate Foundation for its PIE Americas Programme; and $150,000 to the National Women’s Health Network for its Frontline Reproductive Freedom Lab. Other $100,000 awards included grants to America Votes Education Fund for general operating support, the Center for Tech and Civic Life for the Resilient Elections Network, and the Open Space Institute for land protection and climate resilience work.
The Fund’s website says discretionary grants are identified by individual trustees and can support activities such as art, architecture, publishing and design; academic institutions; land and building conservation; civic policy work; and human rights and social justice. The J.M.K. Innovation Prize supports early-stage projects addressing challenges in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. The Prize FAQ describes a $150,000 award paid over three years as unrestricted support, plus up to $25,000 for technical assistance. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, mission-driven for-profits, and fiscally sponsored organizations; individuals may apply but must be associated with an eligible entity before becoming an awardee.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Peter Davidson as chairman; J Matthew Davidson, Brad Davidson, Elizabeth Davidson Pickering, Caio Fonseca, Isabel Fonseca, and Quina Fonseca as trustees; and Julia Bator as executive director.
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc is led by Julia Bator, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; all 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Julia Bator
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$39K (2023) → $300K (2024)
Peter Davidson
Chairman
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Brad Davidson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Caio Fonseca
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Elizabeth Davidson Pickering
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Isabel Fonseca
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
J. Matthew Davidson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2024)
Quina Fonseca
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Joan Davidson (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Freitag (2020–2022) — Secretary & Executive Director · Filing note: Thru 622
- Former: Mary E. Kaplan (2020–2021) — Trustee Emeritus
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $300K, to Julia Bator (Executive Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The JM Kaplan Fund Inc
How much does The JM Kaplan Fund Inc give each year?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc gave $7.4M across 275 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.4M across 259 grants.
What is The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's typical grant size?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $27,086, across 275 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The JM Kaplan Fund Inc that year got $36K on average.
Where does The JM Kaplan Fund Inc give grants?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's top state is New York, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was District of Columbia (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (44 grants), Washington, DC (24 grants), Annapolis, MD (15 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (14 grants).
Does The JM Kaplan Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 73% of The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (202 of 275) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's largest grantees?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Gonzalo Fonseca Foundation ($1,500,000), European Climate Foundation ($250,000) and The Hopewell Fund ($200,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The JM Kaplan Fund Inc?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc reported $143.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The JM Kaplan Fund Inc fund?
The Fund describes its work as championing transformative social, environmental, and cultural causes through inventive grantmaking. Its website identifies environment, heritage conservation, and social justice as current program areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The JM Kaplan Fund Inc?
The Fund does not accept unsolicited requests for its regular grants; those are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's EIN?
The JM Kaplan Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6090286. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The JM Kaplan Fund Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 October 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 JM Kaplan Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The JM Kaplan Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-jm-kaplan-fund-inc-morg_28b204a32e414ab98d529ad85de39b50
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136090286_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The JM Kaplan Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-jm-kaplan-fund-inc-morg_28b204a32e414ab98d529ad85de39b50},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The JM Kaplan Fund Inc'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 JM Kaplan Fund Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?