The Karl Foundation
The Karl Foundation is a private foundation, based in Mercer Island, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $309K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $38K. Net investment income was $21K.
The Karl Foundation at a glance
In short: The Karl Foundation gave $38K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $37,916
- +24.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- -65.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,740
- +258.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $215
- Total assets
- $309,264
- -5.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Karl Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Temple De Hirsch Sinai ($21K). Together the top 8 received $38K.
Grant Size Distribution
119 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 119 grants of 119 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Karl Foundation gives
- Giving grew 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2021) to $39K (2023). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $38K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Temple De Hirsch Sinai Seattle, WA | General Operations | $21,100 |
| Jewish Family Service Seattle, WA | General Operations | $15,000 |
| Hillel Foundation Seattle, WA | General Operations | $1,036 |
| American Israel Public Affairs Washington, DC | General Operations | $250 |
| Chabad Mercer Island Mercer Island, WA | General Operations | $180 |
| High Peaks Hospice Hudson Falls, NY | General Operations | $150 |
| Seattle Children's Foundation Seattle, WA | General Operations | $100 |
| Seattle Humane Society Bellevue, WA | General Operations | $100 |
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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 | $309,264 | $23,137 | $41,217 | $37,916 | 8 | $37,916 | $20,948 | $39,341 |
| 2024 | $327,344 | $14,354 | $33,902 | $30,427 | 23 | $30,427 | $12,099 | $37,777 |
| 2023 | $346,892 | $15,085 | $43,630 | $39,065 | 40 | $42,110 | $15,085 | $33,706 |
| 2022 | $375,437 | $29,888 | $31,789 | $29,498 | 28 | $31,633 | $29,888 | $34,862 |
| 2021 | $377,338 | $11,218 | $30,333 | $28,993 | 20 | — | $11,218 | $36,717 |
| 2020 | $396,453 | $40,514 | $30,256 | $29,206 | 20 | — | $40,514 | $29,632 |
| 2019 | $386,195 | $13,566 | $31,631 | $30,465 | 27 | — | $13,727 | $30,005 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Karl Foundation reported a distributable amount of $39K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Karl Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Irvin H. Karl
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Laura I. Karl
Director
On filings since 2019
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Karl Foundation
How much does The Karl Foundation give each year?
The Karl Foundation gave $38K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $30K across 23 grants.
What is The Karl Foundation's typical grant size?
The Karl Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $215, and its average grant was $4,740, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Karl Foundation give grants?
The Karl Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (4 grants).
Does The Karl Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Karl Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Karl Foundation's largest grantees?
The Karl Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Temple De Hirsch Sinai ($21,100), Jewish Family Service ($15,000) and Hillel Foundation ($1,036), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Karl Foundation?
The Karl Foundation reported $309K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $38K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $39K (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 is The Karl Foundation's EIN?
The Karl Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1362028. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 25, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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