The Karsh Family Foundation
The Karsh Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Beverly Hills, California. Established in 1999, the foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization with approximately $336 million in assets. The foundation supports a variety of education, community health, social welfare, and democracy initiatives across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$347.9M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$38.3M
+33.3% YoY
Grant Count
91
+37.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$420K
-3.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation focuses on three primary philanthropic priorities:
- Education — The foundation's largest area of focus, with particular emphasis on higher education, scholarship programs, and institutional development
- Community Health and Social Welfare — Support for health-related initiatives and community programs
- American Democracy — Promotion and strengthening of democratic institutions and civic engagement
The founders have committed over $450 million to support these three priorities.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $7,500 to $5.3 million
Invitation Only
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or maintain a public website. It operates on an invitation-only basis and prefers a proactive approach to grantmaking. The foundation does not respond to unsolicited funding requests.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects nationally across the United States, with particular activity in:
- California
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Texas
- Virginia
- And numerous other states and cities throughout the country
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2023:
- Total Assets: $336,064,099
- Total Revenue: $42,306,654
- Total Expenses: $30,425,367
- Total Liabilities: $2,760,000
- Investments: $312.5 million
Historical Growth: Over the past five years, the organization has increased revenue by an average of 1.7% annually.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $347,920,468 | $336,064,099 | $332,552,575 |
| Revenue | $19,547,185 | $42,306,654 | $32,258,411 |
| Expenses | $38,004,556 | $30,425,367 | $38,150,932 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $38,502,328 | $28,906,373 | $36,799,017 |
| Net Investment Income | $31,637,830 | $26,163,740 | $38,809,805 |
| Distributable Amount | $16,233,047 | $15,905,040 | $17,603,529 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders and Trustees:
- Bruce A. Karsh — Co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management; graduate of Duke University; earned J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law; clerked for retired Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
- Martha L. Karsh — Has devoted over 25 years to philanthropy; serves on the KIPP Foundation Board
Both Bruce and Martha Karsh were awarded Honorary Doctorates at Howard University's 155th commencement ceremony in May 2023 in recognition of 25 years of philanthropic support for education in America.
The foundation operates with zero employees and is managed by the trustees without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE A KARSH | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MARTHA L KARSH | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In May 2023, Bruce and Martha Karsh received Honorary Doctorates from Howard University at its 155th commencement ceremony
Malcolm Brogdon, Martha Karsh to Serve as UVA Campaign Co ...The foundation awarded $10 million to Howard University
University of Virginia announced plans for a $100 million Institute of Democracy, led by a Karsh Family Foundation gift
Led by Karsh Family Gift, UVA Plans $100 Million for Institute of DemocracyCedars-Sinai received $35 million from the foundation for cardiology initiatives
Martha Karsh serves as a co-chair of the University of Virginia campaign
Malcolm Brogdon, Martha Karsh to Serve as UVA Campaign Co ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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