The Knobloch Family Foundation
The Knobloch Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Founded in 1997, it is committed to investments that ensure the conservation of natural ecosystems.
The Knobloch Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Knobloch Family Foundation gave $23.5M across 77 grants in 2024 (avg $306K), top state Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,544,548
- -9.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 77
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $305,773
- +41.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $175,727
- Total assets
- $163,168,766
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Knobloch Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://knoblochfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Knobloch Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nature Conservancy ($6.7M across 10 grants). Together the top 10 received $16.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 201 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to Virginia (20%), New York (16%), Georgia (14%), Montana (12%), and Texas (11%). Listed 2024 projects also include conservation work in South Carolina, Alberta, Canada, and other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 77 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Knobloch Family Foundation gives
- 43% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 176% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 231% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.5M (2021) to $26.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 77 grants totaling $23.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | General & Unrestricted | $3,000,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Birmingham, AL | Fenvkvcekv Creek Preserve - Protecting and Restoring a critical climate resilient corridor | $1,350,800 |
| The Nature Conservancy Georgia Chapter Atlanta, GA | Project: Satilla River Lumberjack Acquisition | $1,215,000 |
| Open Space Institute Land Trust Inc New York, NY | Riverforks Acquisition South Carolina fund | $1,000,000 |
| American Friends of Canadian Nature Inc Buffalo, NY | McIntyre Ranch Conservation Easement Alberta, Canada | $885,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Inc Missoula, MT | North Platte River Conservation Easement | $857,500 |
| Armand Bayou Nature Center Inc Houston, TX | Middle Armand Bayou Protection Project | $750,000 |
| Georgia Department of Natural Resources Atlanta, GA | Chattahoochee Fall Line Expansion Brown Springs, Little Pine Knot, and Taylor Tracts | $750,000 |
| Open Space Institute Land Trust Inc New York, NY | South Carolina land protection project - Black River State park addition: Mingo creek tract | $722,228 |
| Prickly Pear Land Trust Helena, MT | Avalanche Conservation Easement | $700,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Knobloch Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $163,168,766 | $20,124,362 | $24,850,928 | $23,544,548 | 77 | $24,211,253 | $19,636,136 | $10,501,973 |
| 2023 | $167,844,107 | $23,070,417 | $27,025,701 | $26,107,328 | 121 | $26,107,328 | $8,011,809 | $10,095,353 |
| 2022 | $171,799,391 | $23,034,692 | $17,877,826 | $17,109,380 | 1 | $17,109,380 | $4,220,256 | $10,206,012 |
| 2021 | $166,642,525 | $7,681,170 | $9,316,223 | $8,539,486 | 1 | $8,539,486 | $6,904,433 | $10,799,447 |
| 2020 | $178,454,762 | $70,172,496 | $14,826,255 | $14,116,962 | 1 | — | $3,867,560 | $9,487,101 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Knobloch Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s program areas include science-based conservation, conservation economics, conservation finance, and tools for durable conservation. Its stated priorities include research that informs conservation and identifies places important to wildlife; natural-capital valuation; financing conservation opportunities and incentivizing land stewardship; and safeguarding the integrity and durability of conservation easements. Current science-based focus areas named by the foundation include migratory bird populations, gopher tortoises in Georgia, and big-game migrations in the West. It also says it supports ballot initiatives to leverage conservation funding in Texas, Georgia, and Wyoming.
Its 2024 grants include support for land trusts and conservation organizations. For example, Open Space Institute Land Trust describes its work as protecting land for clean drinking water, recreation, healthy communities, and wildlife habitat, and conserving forests and floodplains. American Friends of Canadian Nature describes its work as identifying, preserving, and managing lands with significant natural values. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation says its mission is to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife, their habitat, and hunting heritage.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 77 grants totaling $23,544,548. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $3,000,000, with a median of $175,727.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $3,000,000 to The Nature Conservancy in Arlington, Virginia, for general and unrestricted purposes; $1,350,800 to The Nature Conservancy in Birmingham, Alabama, for the Fenvkvcekv Creek Preserve; and $1,215,000 to The Nature Conservancy Georgia Chapter for the Satilla River Lumberjack Acquisition. Other large grants included $1,000,000 to Open Space Institute Land Trust for the Riverforks Acquisition South Carolina fund; $885,000 to American Friends of Canadian Nature for the McIntyre Ranch Conservation Easement in Alberta, Canada; and $857,500 to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the North Platte River Conservation Easement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carla Knobloch (director and vice president), Emily Knobloch (secretary and director), Eleanor Ratchford (treasurer and director), and Stevens Sharkey (director, president, and chair).
The Knobloch Family Foundation is led by Stevens Sharkey, Director, President & Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stevens Sharkey
Director, President & Chair
Director → Director, President & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Knobloch
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eleanor Knobloch Ratchford
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily C Knobloch
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2024
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Knobloch Family Foundation
How much does The Knobloch Family Foundation give each year?
The Knobloch Family Foundation gave $23.5M across 77 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $26.1M across 121 grants.
What is The Knobloch Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Knobloch Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $175,727, and its average grant was $305,773, across 77 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Knobloch Family Foundation give grants?
The Knobloch Family Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (16%) and Georgia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (11 grants), Laramie, WY (9 grants), Buffalo, WY (6 grants) and Arlington, VA (5 grants).
Does The Knobloch Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of The Knobloch Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 77) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Knobloch Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Knobloch Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Nature Conservancy ($6,667,972 across 10 grants), Open Space Institute Land Trust Inc ($1,722,228 across 2 grants) and Georgia Department of Natural Resources ($1,395,000 across 5 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Knobloch Family Foundation?
The Knobloch Family Foundation reported $163.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $24.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Knobloch Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s program areas include science-based conservation, conservation economics, conservation finance, and tools for durable conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Knobloch Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Knobloch Family Foundation's EIN?
The Knobloch Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0538135. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Knobloch 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Knobloch Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Knobloch Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Knobloch Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-knobloch-family-foundation-morg_1a5b9c3909e5477e8e4c5c8326137fb0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760538135_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Knobloch Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-knobloch-family-foundation-morg_1a5b9c3909e5477e8e4c5c8326137fb0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Knobloch 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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