The Karlson Family Foundation
The Karlson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Trumbull, Connecticut. Its 2023 filing reports grants to charitable organizations and funds for educational and other nonprofit programs, along with support for a cemetery, a land trust, and children and families.
The Karlson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Karlson Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 13 grants in 2023 (avg $153K), top state Connecticut. 92% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $1,994,649
- +1812.4% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 13
- -68.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $153,435
- +5931.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $120,739
- New grantees (estimate)
- 92% first-time grantees (12 of 13, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (43% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Karlson Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The filing lists application materials and restrictions as N/A.
- Contact
Application contact: Christopher J Koehm Cpa
Mailing address: 59 Merrimac Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: (203) 261-6781
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Karlson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Jon H Rehnberg Charitable Gift Fund ($483K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 102 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2023 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Connecticut (43%), Wyoming (24%), Vermont (12%), California (8%), and New Jersey (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Karlson Family Foundation open to new grantees?
92%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 12 of 13 grantees (92%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $163K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $141K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 8% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2023). 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 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $104K (2022) to $2.0M (2023). In 2023 it made 13 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jon H Rehnberg Charitable Gift Fund Wilson, WY | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $482,943 |
| H Christopher & Jennie May Rehnberg Charitable Fund Kent, CT | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $482,943 |
| Stephanie's Gift Fund East Calais, VT | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $241,616 |
| McCann Agee Charitable Gift Fund Madison, CT | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $161,123 |
| Dagan McCann Charitable Gift Fund Centerbrook, CT | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $161,123 |
| Anna J McCann Conservation Fund Truckee, CA | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $161,123 |
| Gregory John Motycka Fund Hoboken, NJ | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $120,739 |
| Stephanie Rehnberg Fund Nashville, TN | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $120,739 |
| Upper Merryall Cemetery Association New Milford, CT | Maintence & Improvemntsfor Connecticut Cemetery | $35,000 |
| Douglas Murray Charitable Gift Fund No Stonington, CT | Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms | $18,800 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $23,140 | $2,016,247 | $1,994,649 | 13 | $2,006,374 | $13,267 | $31,587 |
| 2022 | $1,597,593 | $59,790 | $133,152 | $104,300 | 41 | $116,106 | $42,744 | $111,236 |
| 2021 | $1,715,252 | $48,530 | $141,050 | $118,500 | 48 | — | $124,461 | $116,475 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Karlson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for educational and other nonprofit programs, cemetery maintenance and improvements, a land trust, and children and families.
Among the grantees, Lynde Point Land Trust described its mission as land conservation for the Borough of Fenwick. The Christian Relief Fund described its work as rescuing orphans and vulnerable children from poverty through programs providing services such as food, clean water, education, healthcare, and disaster relief. The Fenwick Improvement Fund described its purpose as lessening the burdens of the Borough of Fenwick and supporting public buildings, monuments, or works there.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $1,994,649. Individual grants ranged from $1,500 to $482,943, with a median of $120,739. The largest reported grants were $482,943 each to the Jon H Rehnberg Charitable Gift Fund and the H Christopher & Jennie May Rehnberg Charitable Fund, both for educational and other nonprofit programs. Other large grants included $241,616 to Stephanie’s Gift Fund and $161,123 each to the McCann Agee Charitable Gift Fund, Dagan McCann Charitable Gift Fund, and Anna J McCann Conservation Fund.
Other reported grants included $35,000 to Upper Merryall Cemetery Association for cemetery maintenance and improvements, $5,000 to Lynde Point Land Trust for support, and $2,000 to the Christian Relief Fund for children and families. Fenwick Improvement Fund received $1,500 in 2023.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Jon Rehnberg, Harry C Rehnberg, Stephanie R Murray, and Anna J McCann as directors.
The Karlson Family Foundation's 2023 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Anna J. McCann
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harry C. Rehnberg
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Rehnberg
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie R. Murray
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "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 Karlson Family Foundation
How much does The Karlson Family Foundation give each year?
The Karlson Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 13 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $104K across 41 grants.
What is The Karlson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Karlson Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $120,739, and its average grant was $153,435, across 13 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Karlson Family Foundation that year got $163K on average.
Where does The Karlson Family Foundation give grants?
The Karlson Family Foundation's top state is Connecticut, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wyoming (24%) and Vermont (12%).
Does The Karlson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Karlson Family Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational & Other Nonprofitprograms" (9 grants).
Who are The Karlson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Karlson Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Jon H Rehnberg Charitable Gift Fund ($482,943), H Christopher & Jennie May Rehnberg Charitable Fund ($482,943) and Stephanie's Gift Fund ($241,616), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does The Karlson Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for educational and other nonprofit programs, cemetery maintenance and improvements, a land trust, and children and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Karlson Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 ↑
How much is The Karlson Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Karlson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Karlson Family Foundation's EIN?
The Karlson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3762819. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Does The Karlson Family 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Karlson Family 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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