The Karma Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Princeton, NJ EIN: 22-3478433

The Karma Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Princeton, NJ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 19 grants totaling $222K. Net investment income was $245K.

Key facts about The Karma Foundation

In short: The Karma Foundation gave $222K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in New Jersey. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
22-3478433
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$221,608
Grants made (2024)
19
Average grant
$11,664
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$4,988,398
Primary geography
New Jersey (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.0M

-2.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$222K

-17.8% YoY

Grant Count

19

-24.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$12K

+8.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Karma Foundation reported a distributable amount of $344K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Karma Foundation gives

  • 32% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 90% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from The Karma Foundation

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Karma Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

10states

Share of all 19 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

New YorkNew BrunswickPrincetonJersey CityWashingtonBethesdaBrightonEast BrunswickEdisonEl Dorado HillsElizabethHagerstownLawrence TownshipLawrencevilleManahawkinMillburnMilltownMillvilleMilwaukeeNewton

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K1 grants20201 grants202115 grants202225 grants202319 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

George Street Playhouse: $72KGeorge Street Playhouse$72KChildren's Radiothon: $32KChildren's Radiothon$32KBildner Center - Rutgers University: $30KBildner Center - RutgersUniversity$30KHomefront: $20KHomefront$20KMoment Magazine: $15KMoment Magazine$15KMatan: $11KMatan$11KEntertainment Community Fund: $6KEntertainment Community Fund$6KAtlantic Theater Company: $6KAtlantic Theater Company$6KThe Public Theatre: $6KThe Public Theatre$6KLincoln Center Theater: $5KLincoln Center Theater$5K

Grant Size Distribution

61 grants across all recorded years

56<$50K3$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE New Brunswick, NJGENERAL SUPPORT$72,000
CHILDREN'S RADIOTHON New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$32,078
BILDNER CENTER - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY New Brunswick, NJGENERAL SUPPORT$30,000
HOMEFRONT Lawrence Township, NJGENERAL SUPPORT$20,000
MOMENT MAGAZINE Washinton, DCGENERAL SUPPORT$15,000
MATAN White Plains, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$10,500
ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$6,250
ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$6,000
THE PUBLIC THEATRE New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$5,500
LINCOLN CENTER THEATER New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200K$400K$600K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$4,988,398$5,103,837$5,278,622
Revenue$330,444$326,513$279,688
Expenses$439,623$506,439$396,855
Qualifying Distributions$355,981$421,532$314,761
Net Investment Income$245,183$239,851$243,059
Distributable Amount$344,228$313,922$349,869

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Karma Foundation is led by Dina K. Elkins, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Dina K. Elkins

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    35 hrs/week

    $120K (2020) → $120K (2024)

  • Sharon Karmazin

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Craig Karmazin

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

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

Dina K Elkins — Executive Director: $120KDina K ElkinsExecutive Director$120K

Frequently asked questions about The Karma Foundation

How much does The Karma Foundation give each year?

The Karma Foundation gave $222K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $270K across 25 grants.

What is The Karma Foundation's typical grant size?

The Karma Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $11,664, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Karma Foundation give grants?

The Karma Foundation gives mostly in New Jersey: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (34%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants) and New Brunswick, NJ (4 grants).

Does The Karma Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The Karma Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The Karma Foundation's largest grantees?

The Karma Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include George Street Playhouse ($72,000), Children's Radiothon ($32,078) and Bildner Center - Rutgers University ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Karma Foundation?

The Karma Foundation reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $356K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $344K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is The Karma Foundation?

The Karma Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Princeton, NJ. It holds $5.0M in total assets as of 2024.

What is The Karma Foundation's EIN?

The Karma Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3478433. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Karma Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Karma Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The foundation funds health initiatives to expand healthcare access and strengthen health systems, with priorities including cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation. Its 2024 grants had a median of $134,090, though awards ranged widely; its stated focus geographies are Brazil, India, ten Sub-Saharan African countries, and the United States. It invites organizations to inquire about its grantmaking process, with application materials available upon request and no deadline listed.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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 fund supports local agencies, charities, and schools serving underserved populations, with interests including food, housing, education, health, environmental protection, and animal welfare. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,500, for communities where Crane operates or where associates have a direct connection, including locations outside the U.S. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

—

Grants

985

Total Given

$4.5M

The Hyde and Watson Foundation

Warren Township, NJ

This private foundation, established in 1983, exclusively funds capital projects—including equipment purchases, renovations, and construction—for nonprofits in education, social services, arts, health, religion, and humanities. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, with the foundation awarding approximately $6.5 million annually across the five boroughs of New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey. Applications are accepted twice yearly with fixed deadlines and decisions made within 2-3 months.

Assets

$88.2M

Grants

611

Total Given

$6.1M

Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

This New Jersey-based community foundation, established in 1991, distributes approximately $15.6 million annually to support education, human services, and philanthropic initiatives across Greater Mercer County and central New Jersey. PACF offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 through programs including Community Impact Grants and specialized scholarship funds, with a strategic focus on reducing chronic absenteeism and supporting economically disadvantaged populations, particularly children. With over $270 million in assets and a mission to advance community well-being, PACF serves as a major philanthropic resource for nonprofits in the Princeton area and surrounding regions.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$648.3M

Grants

407

Total Given

$29.3M

KPMG US Foundation Inc

Montvale, NJ

KPMG US Foundation supports education, mental health, community vitality, and community relief and resilience, with grants distributed across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts ranged from about $5,000 to $2.2 million. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$12.4M

Grants

387

Total Given

$33.5M

United Way of Bergen County

Paramus, NJ

United Way of Bergen County’s funding mainly consists of employee-designated workplace donations to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations; its own programs focus on affordable housing and connecting New Jersey residents to services through NJ211. In 2025, designated grants ranged from $5,001 to $1,847,204, with a median of $9,010, and went to organizations in multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.

Assets

$31.9M

Grants

377

Total Given

$7.0M

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

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

More Funders in New Jersey

The Karma Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?