The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc
THE KAPLEN BROTHERS FUND INC is a private foundation based in Montclair, New Jersey, that makes grants to charitable organizations. Its 2025 grants included support for theatre, literature, public media, climate activism, medical research, and social services.
Key facts about The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc
In short: The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc gave $6.4M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $114K), mostly in New York. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 45-4694896
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,362,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- Average grant
- $113,607
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (3 of 45, 2025)
- Total assets
- $95,185,120
- Primary geography
- New York (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. 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
$95.2M
+4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.4M
+3.9% YoY
Grant Count
56
+16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$114K
-11.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 45 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $142K; repeat grants $141K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 108% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Roundabout Theatre Company says its mission is to celebrate theatre through classic and new works and education; StoryCorps describes its mission as preserving and sharing people’s stories to build connections and a more compassionate and just world. Climate Emergency Fund says it supports nonviolent climate activists, while Sanctuary for Families describes itself as a service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related gender violence.
Other 2025 recipients include Yiddish Book Center, PEN America, WNYC New York Public Radio, Columbia University’s Department of Ophthalmology, Film Forum, New York Philharmonic, and Abundant Waters. Film Forum describes its work as presenting challenging films and historically important movies to the public. Abundant Waters says it serves needs unmet by the New York City public school system through afterschool arts and athletic workshops.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the fund made 56 grants totaling $6,362,000. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $50,000. Larger grants included $1,000,000 each to Roundabout Theatre Company for its capital campaign and Yiddish Book Center for general operating support; $500,000 each to PEN America for general operating support and its Centenary Campaign, and to StoryCorps for general operating support; and $400,000 to WNYC New York Public Radio for its “Hear the Future” capital campaign.
Ready to take the next step with The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 18% to Massachusetts, 6% to California, 3% to Washington, D.C., and 1% to New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 56 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
255 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY New York, NY | FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $1,000,000 |
| YIDDISH BOOK CENTER Amherst, MA | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| PEN AMERICA New York, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND THE CENTENARY CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| STORYCORPS Brooklyn, NY | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| WNYC NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO New York, NY | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN "HEAR THE FUTURE" | $400,000 |
| CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND West Hollywood, CA | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DEPT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY New York, NY | AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION RESEARCH | $250,000 |
| FILM FORUM New York, NY | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC New York, NY | FOR RADIO BROADCASTS | $200,000 |
| SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES New York, NY | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,362,000 | 56 |
| 2024 | $6,124,000 | 48 |
| 2023 | $5,816,500 | 49 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $95,185,120 | $91,342,188 | $90,181,324 |
| Revenue | $10,658,568 | $7,678,444 | $2,318,882 |
| Expenses | $6,816,411 | $6,517,000 | $6,100,608 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,413,058 | $6,171,964 | $5,869,088 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,427,594 | $7,417,537 | $2,451,357 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,929,122 | $5,735,520 | $5,348,170 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Veronica Kaplen and Lawrence Kaplen as trustees.
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lawrence Kaplen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Veronica Kaplen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2025)
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 2023 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 572 Valley Road 43019, Montclair, NJ 07043
Phone: (973) 509-9509
Frequently asked questions about The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc
How much does The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc give each year?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc gave $6.4M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.1M across 48 grants.
What is The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's typical grant size?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $113,607, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc that year got $142K on average.
Where does The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc give grants?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc gives mostly in New York: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (18%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (31 grants), Brooklyn, NY (5 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants) and Boston, MA (3 grants).
Does The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's largest grantees?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Roundabout Theatre Company ($1,025,000 across 2 grants), Yiddish Book Center ($1,018,000 across 2 grants) and Storycorps ($600,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc reported $95.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc fund?
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Roundabout Theatre Company says its mission is to celebrate theatre through classic and new works and education; StoryCorps describes its mission as preserving and sharing people’s stories to build connections and a more compassionate and just world. Climate Emergency Fund says it supports nonviolent climate activists, while Sanctuary for Families describes its…
How do I apply for a grant from The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's EIN?
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4694896. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Kaplen Brothers Fund 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 The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
The Verizon Foundation funds digital inclusion, climate protection, human prosperity, K–12 literacy and STEM, and domestic violence education and prevention, with an emphasis on underserved and diverse communities. It gives nationally, with priority in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, and also supports work in India and Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a $500 median. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds work to improve health and health equity in the United States, including health policy, community health, prevention, and social justice. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to recipients across multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports nonprofits and projects across arts, education, environment, health and human services, and social welfare. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $19,800, though awards varied widely; funding went to organizations in multiple states, with 32% of itemized grant dollars going to New Jersey. It accepts applications for specific opportunities, and its FAQ encourages eligible New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply; requirements vary by opportunity.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
Crane Fund for Widows and Children
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children supports local charities, agencies, and schools addressing needs such as food insecurity, housing, education, health, environmental protection, and animal welfare in communities where Crane Company operates or its associates have connections. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,500; it funds organizations in multiple states. The fund contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
985
Total Given
$4.5M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds one-time capital needs—such as construction, renovations, equipment, and furnishings—for eligible nonprofits working in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most grants are $5,000–$20,000, and it primarily serves New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
Princeton Area Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in education, basic needs, health, housing, arts, the environment, and nonprofit capacity, with priorities including poverty and the needs of children, families, and communities. Its 2024 median grant was $15,000, and its discretionary programs focus on Greater Mercer County and central New Jersey, though donor-recommended grants may support nonprofits elsewhere. Eligible regional nonprofits may apply through competitive programs such as the Community Impact Grants.
Assets
$279.6M
Grants
515
Total Given
$31.3M
Oceanfirst Foundation
Toms River, NJ
OceanFirst Foundation funds nonprofits working in economic stability, youth development, health and wellness, housing, education, and community quality of life, including scholarships, summer camps, and flexible support. It serves communities in OceanFirst Bank’s New Jersey footprint; 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $55,000, with a median of $2,200. It accepts unsolicited requests, and deadlines vary by program.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
425
Total Given
$1.6M
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater
Whippany, NJ
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ supports Jewish and broader-community causes, including local Jewish education, older-adult services, synagogue engagement, and specified needs in Israel; it also makes grants nationally and internationally. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,400, while its local program offers up to $15,000–$20,000 depending on category. It accepts applications from eligible agencies and synagogues for its local program during a stated application period, and from qualifying organizations for Israel grants each spring.
Assets
$648.3M
Grants
407
Total Given
$29.3M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Pfizer Foundation funds locally led health programs that improve access to care and strengthen health systems, as well as health-crisis and disaster responses, worldwide. In 2024, grants ranged from $2 to $4 million, with a median of $200. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation supports neighborhood revitalization, underserved small businesses, financial health, and economic mobility and career pathways, with 2024 grants ranging from $4 to $4,635,000 and a median of $550. Its grants reached organizations across multiple U.S. locations, including Washington, DC, New York, California, Illinois, Washington state, and Georgia. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
11,076
Total Given
$193.0M
More Funders in New Jersey
The Kaplen Brothers Fund Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?