The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware, that supports children and families through education and other services, with a focus on organizations in Western Connecticut. Established in 2017, the foundation describes its aim as generating lasting impact and transformative results for those served.
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation at a glance
In short: The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation gave $1.8M across 45 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in Connecticut. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,804,350
- +5.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 45
- -11.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $40,097
- +19.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $32,948,015
- -3.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (4 of 40, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://kashulonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Carver Inc ($150K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $900K.
Grant Size Distribution
236 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 173 grants of 236 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it focuses on organizations in Western Connecticut, and its website identifies Bridgeport as particularly significant to its legacy. In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut; the remaining reported shares went to Iowa (6%), North Carolina (3%), Massachusetts (1%), and Tennessee (1%). Shares may not total 100% because of rounding.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 40 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 32% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $882K (2021) to $1.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 45 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Relief Services Inc Harlan, IA | Driving Mission Agility, Strengthening Families and Empowering Youth initiatives | $100,000 |
| St Aloysius Church Corporation New Canaan, CT | To help fund the church's Faith-Based Education Initiatives, including the creation of an innovative curriculum in grades pre-K through 6 | $100,000 |
| The Carver Inc Norwalk, CT | To support the Bridgeport-Carver Partnership for Afterschool and Summer Learning project | $100,000 |
| Covenant School of Bridgeport Inc Hartford, CT | salary funds to support one math and science teacher and one AmeriCorp teaching fellow | $80,000 |
| Cardinal Shehan Center Bridgeport, CT | After School and Saturday program | $75,000 |
| Fairfield University Fairfield, CT | To help fund scholarships for students enrolled in the University's Computer Science program at Fairfield Bellarmine, with a focus on low-income students from Bridgeport, CT | $75,000 |
| Future 5 Inc Stamford, CT | Next Track program, which identifies and offers career counseling to students not on a college track | $75,000 |
| Kids in Crisis Inc Cos Cob, CT | Safe Haven program | $75,000 |
| SVMC Holdings Inc New Britain, CT | Hartford HealthCare Medical Mission program in the Fairfield Region | $60,000 |
| Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport Incorporated Bridgeport, CT | Adult Education Program | $55,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,948,015 | $959,535 | $2,209,986 | $1,804,350 | 45 | $1,896,761 | $820,660 | $2,084,250 |
| 2024 | $34,198,466 | $2,214,561 | $2,080,840 | $1,714,500 | 51 | $1,807,115 | $2,809,362 | $1,918,825 |
| 2023 | $34,064,745 | $1,049,918 | $1,921,536 | $1,599,000 | 53 | $1,656,632 | $878,738 | $1,823,648 |
| 2022 | $34,936,363 | $1,202,700 | $1,687,090 | $1,366,813 | 51 | $1,431,960 | $995,814 | $1,833,022 |
| 2021 | $35,420,753 | $13,104,297 | $1,158,557 | $882,171 | 36 | $949,137 | $601,692 | $1,551,768 |
| 2020 | $23,475,013 | $789,782 | $1,191,270 | $959,150 | 40 | — | $633,774 | $1,177,590 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “improving the welfare of children and strengthening families.” Its website lists support for annual appeals, capital requests and campaigns, private elementary and high schools, nongovernmental organizations, organizations benefiting children’s welfare, pre-K schools, vocational training, scholarships, and religious organizations working to improve children’s welfare or education.
The 2025 grants show support for programs including after-school and summer learning, faith-based education, scholarships, career counseling, adult education, and a medical mission. Among the grantees, The Carver says it equips learners for global competitiveness through school and community partnerships, while Future 5 says it connects under-resourced Stamford students with resources to pursue educational, career, and life goals. Kids in Crisis describes its work as providing prevention, counseling, and crisis services for children and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 45 grants totaling $1,804,350. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $35,000.
The largest 2025 awards included $100,000 each to Catholic Relief Services for initiatives focused on mission agility, families, and youth; St Aloysius Church Corporation for faith-based education initiatives, including curriculum development for pre-K through grade 6; and The Carver for an after-school and summer learning partnership. Other notable grants included $80,000 to Covenant School of Bridgeport for teacher and teaching-fellow salaries; $75,000 each to Cardinal Shehan Center, Fairfield University, Future 5, and Kids in Crisis; and $60,000 to SVMC Holdings for a medical mission program in the Fairfield Region.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists George Benington, Gail Kashulon, Christian Le Bris, Martin McLaughlin Sr, and James P Murray as directors. Gail Kashulon is also listed as secretary, Christian Le Bris as president, and James P Murray as treasurer.
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation is led by Christian Le Bris, Director & President since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 4 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christian Le Bris
Director & President
Director, Treasurer & President → Director & President, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024) → $11K (2025)
Gail Kashulon
Director & Secretary
Director & Secretary → Director, Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $11K (2025)
George Benington
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024) → $11K (2025)
James P Murray
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024) → $11K (2025)
Martin McLaughlin Sr.
Director
Director & President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Edward Ham (2020–2023) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: TR Rowe (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Christian LeBris (2023) — Director & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $11K, to George Benington (Dir). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation
How much does The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation give each year?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation gave $1.8M across 45 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 51 grants.
What is The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's typical grant size?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $35,000, and its average grant was $40,097, across 45 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation that year got $44K on average.
Where does The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation give grants?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation gives mostly in Connecticut: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgeport, CT (14 grants), New Canaan, CT (7 grants), Norwalk, CT (4 grants) and Fairfield, CT (4 grants).
Does The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's largest grantees?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Carver Inc ($150,000 across 2 grants), Future 5 Inc ($125,000 across 2 grants) and Catholic Relief Services Inc ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation reported $32.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “improving the welfare of children and strengthening families.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's EIN?
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2658347. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Live grants for the work The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-and-ethel-kashulon-foundation-morg_dc0d9505b204471db703420098e9ffbd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_822658347_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-and-ethel-kashulon-foundation-morg_dc0d9505b204471db703420098e9ffbd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 John and Ethel Kashulon 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.
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