The Kovner Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1986 and incorporated in 1996. Based in Jupiter, Florida, the foundation is a family foundation dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including arts, education, and policy initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$335.3M
+22.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.7M
+1.5% YoY
Grant Count
81
-4.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$231K
+6.5% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations that:
- Promote excellence in the arts and education
- Defend private enterprise and protect individual rights
- Conduct scholarly studies and research that strengthen American democratic principles
The foundation operates through four main program areas:
Education — Focuses on expanding competition and choice throughout American educational systems, both public and private institutions, with emphasis on education reform, school choice, and charter schools.
Scholarships — Rewards academic achievement and ambition by providing scholarships to students who have demonstrated leadership, strength of character, and determination.
Arts — Supports excellence in the arts sector.
Community — Supports community-focused initiatives.
Additionally, the foundation supports initiatives that defend private enterprise and protect individual rights.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding. Grants are made by invitation only.
Grant Range
$700 to $2,000,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a primarily national focus with emphasis on Florida and New York areas, and maintains international reach.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024)
- Total assets: $335,279,276
- Total revenues: $62,417,901
- Total expenses: $21,051,713
- Annual giving: $18,683,705
Assets & Revenue (2023)
- Total assets: $273,505,676
- Total revenues: $43,099,460
- Total expenses: $20,066,577
- Annual giving: $18,413,999
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $335,279,276 | $273,505,676 | $242,203,722 |
| Revenue | $62,417,901 | $43,099,460 | $16,075,297 |
| Expenses | $21,051,713 | $20,066,577 | $18,080,579 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $18,683,705 | $18,413,999 | $17,090,440 |
| Net Investment Income | $55,374,009 | $32,828,395 | $19,363,083 |
| Distributable Amount | $13,304,140 | $12,122,192 | $12,183,425 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include International Rescue Committee ($1,500,000), Charter School Growth Fund Fund Iv ($500,000), Institute for Justice ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AHA FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | WOMEN'S RIGHT | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AUSTIN, TX | HUMANITARIAN AID | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES AND ALUMNI WASHINGTON, DC | EDUCATION | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH | $300,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF COVENT GARDEN NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LES ARTS FLORISSANT NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $55,000 |
| AMERICAN MODERN OPERA COMPANY CAMBRIDGE, MA | PERFORMING ARTS | $50,000 |
| BERKSHIRE TACONIC COMM FDN NORTHEAST DUTCHESS SHEFFIELD, MA | COMMUNITY NEEDS | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MARTIN COUNTY HOBE SOUND, FL | SUPPORT CHILDREN | $25,000 |
| CARNEGIE HALL CORPORATION NEW YORK, NY | PERFORMING ARTS | $197,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Maurice Edelson — Chief Executive Officer
- Benjamin Sosland — Vice President for Music Programs
- Diane Morrison — Executive Director
- Heath Weisberg — General Counsel and Secretary
The foundation was founded by Bruce S. Kovner, founder and former chairman of Caxton Associates, LLC, a global macro hedge fund, and his wife Suzanne (Suzie) Kovner.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE S KOVNER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PETER P D'ANGELO | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| FRANK WOHL CO LANKLER SIFFERT WOHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN CROSS | CONTROLLER | 1 | — |
| SUZANNE F KOVNER | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| HEATH WEISBERG | GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROBERT WEDEKING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MAURICE EDELSON | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $138,413 |
| BENJAMIN SOSLAND | VICE PRESIDENT FOR MUSIC PROGRAMS | 40 | $87,500 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kovner Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations that: • Promote excellence in the arts and education • Defend private enterprise and protect individual rights • Conduct scholarly studies and research that strengthen American democratic principles The foundation operates through four main program areas: **Education** — Focuses on expanding competition and choice throughout American educational systems, both public and private institutions, with emphasis on education reform, school choice, and charter scho…
How do I apply for a grant from The Kovner Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Number of grants: 80 awards • Total giving: $18.7 million • Grant range: $700 to $2,000,000 • Median grant: $30,000 **Recent Major Grants (2024)** • Success Academy Charter Schools: $3,500,000 • International Rescue Committee (IRC): $1,500,000 • Institute for Justice: $500,000 **Application Process** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or requests for funding. Grants are made by invitation only.
Where does The Kovner Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a primarily national focus with emphasis on Florida and New York areas, and maintains international reach.
What size grants does The Kovner Foundation award?
In 2024, The Kovner Foundation awarded 81 grants totaling $18.7M — an average of about $231K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kovner Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kovner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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