The Kovner Foundation
The Kovner Foundation is a private foundation based in Jupiter, Florida. Established in 1996, it supports organizations promoting excellence in the arts and education, initiatives defending private enterprise and individual rights, and research intended to strengthen American democratic principles.
The Kovner Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kovner Foundation gave $18.7M across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $231K), mostly in New York. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $18,683,705
- +1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- -4.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $230,663
- +6.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $335,279,276
- +22.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (15 of 80, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Kovner Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1001 N Us Highway 1 Suite 400, Jupiter, FL 33477
Phone: (609) 524-8600
Website: https://thekovnerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Kovner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was UJA Federation of NY ($5.0M). Together the top 10 received $14.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
417 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 225 grants of 417 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, followed by Texas (7%), Washington, DC (6%), Florida (4%), and Virginia (3%). Listed recipients also included organizations in Colorado and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Kovner Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 80 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $374K; repeat grants $197K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 140% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $17.1M (2022) to $25.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $18.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UJA Federation of NY New York, NY | General Support | $5,000,000 |
| Success Charter Network New York, NY | Education | $3,500,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | Humanitarian Aid | $1,500,000 |
| University of Austin Austin, TX | Education | $1,200,000 |
| Charter School Growth Fund Fund IV Denver, CO | Education | $500,000 |
| Institute for Justice Arlington, VA | General Support | $500,000 |
| Institute for the Study of War Washington, DC | General Support | $500,000 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA | General Support | $500,000 |
| The Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | Performing Arts | $500,000 |
| Playwrights Realm New York, NY | Performing Arts | $380,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kovner 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 | $335,279,276 | $62,417,901 | $21,051,713 | $18,683,705 | 81 | $18,683,705 | $55,374,009 | $13,304,140 |
| 2023 | $273,505,676 | $43,099,460 | $20,066,577 | $18,413,999 | 85 | $18,413,999 | $32,828,395 | $12,122,192 |
| 2022 | $242,203,722 | $16,075,297 | $18,080,579 | $17,090,440 | 97 | $17,090,440 | $19,363,083 | $12,183,425 |
| 2021 | $272,048,168 | $48,754,773 | $27,623,769 | $25,376,023 | 79 | $25,376,023 | $43,052,094 | $12,391,012 |
| 2020 | $242,268,380 | $19,441,586 | $25,558,332 | $24,455,963 | 75 | — | $19,583,723 | $11,107,540 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kovner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated focus areas include education, scholarships, an opportunity society, and the arts. Its education work supports public and private education, including charter schools, educational choice, and competition. Its scholarship program rewards students for academic achievement and ambition, leadership, strength of character, and determination. The foundation also supports efforts aimed at a strong economy, meaningful education, and improved opportunities for disadvantaged people, as well as arts and cultural organizations that nurture young artists.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. The International Rescue Committee says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster survive and recover. The Institute for Justice describes its work as strategic litigation, research, and advocacy for economic liberty, educational choice, property rights, free speech, and other individual liberties. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music says it educates talented musicians to become high-caliber artists and musical citizens. The Institute for the Study of War describes its work as research, analysis, and education on military affairs and emerging threats. The Playwrights Realm supports early-career playwrights in developing their craft and artistic careers.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 81 grants totaling $18,683,705. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $5 million, with a median grant of $30,000. Among the largest awards were $5 million to UJA Federation of NY for general support, $3.5 million to Success Charter Network for education, $1.5 million to the International Rescue Committee for humanitarian aid, and $1.2 million to the University of Austin for education. Other notable awards included $500,000 each to Charter School Growth Fund Fund IV, the Institute for Justice, the Institute for the Study of War, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Metropolitan Opera.
Additional 2024 grants included $380,000 to the Playwrights Realm for performing arts, $300,000 to the American Enterprise Institute for public policy research, and $287,904 to Kovner Opportunity Scholarships DET for qualified tuition grants. The foundation’s website says it selects activities based on personal values and experience and seeks innovative strategies that advance forward-thinking initiatives and produce change.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists Bruce S. Kovner as president; Suzanne F. Kovner as vice president; Peter P. D’Angelo as treasurer; Frank Wohl as director; Robert Wedeking as director; Karen Cross as controller; Heath Weisberg as general counsel and secretary; Maurice Edelson as chief executive officer; and Benjamin Sosland as vice president for music programs.
The Kovner Foundation is led by Maurice Edelson, Chief Executive Officer on the 2024 filing; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Maurice Edelson
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024)
Bruce S. Kovner
President
Director & President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Wohl Co Lankler Siffert Wohl
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Wedeking
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Sosland
Vice President for Music Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$88K (2024)
Heath Weisberg
General Counsel & Secretary
General Counsel → General Counsel & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Cross
Controller
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter P. D'angelo
Treasurer
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne F. Kovner
Vice President
Director & Vice President → Vice President, 2022
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $138K, to Maurice Edelson (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Kovner Foundation
How much does The Kovner Foundation give each year?
The Kovner Foundation gave $18.7M across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18.4M across 85 grants.
What is The Kovner Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kovner Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $230,663, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kovner Foundation that year got $374K on average.
Where does The Kovner Foundation give grants?
The Kovner Foundation gives mostly in New York: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (7%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (41 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants), Princeton, NJ (3 grants) and Hobe Sound, FL (3 grants).
Does The Kovner Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of The Kovner Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Performing Arts" (15 grants) and "Education" (11 grants).
Who are The Kovner Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kovner Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include UJA Federation of NY ($5,000,000), Success Charter Network ($3,500,000) and International Rescue Committee ($1,500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kovner Foundation?
The Kovner Foundation reported $335.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kovner Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus areas include education, scholarships, an opportunity society, and the arts. Its education work supports public and private education, including charter schools, educational choice, and competition. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kovner Foundation?
The foundation 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 Kovner Foundation's EIN?
The Kovner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3468030. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Kovner 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kovner Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kovner Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kovner-foundation-morg_a6567201b47a4277bb76a02045705d7b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223468030_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kovner Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kovner-foundation-morg_a6567201b47a4277bb76a02045705d7b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Kovner 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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