The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern is a private foundation based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Established in 1998 by Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern, founders of Generac Power Systems, it supports initiatives intended to help the rising generation of Americans build flourishing lives through character, quality education, an entrepreneurial mindset, and creating value for others.
Key facts about The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc
In short: The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc gave $66.5M across 108 grants in 2024 (avg $616K), top state Colorado. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 39-1923558
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $66,528,519
- Grants made (2024)
- 108
- Average grant
- $616,005
- Median grant
- $46,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (16 of 108, 2024)
- Total assets
- $836,952,772
- Primary geography
- Colorado (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$837.0M
-0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$66.5M
+23.2% YoY
Grant Count
108
-21.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$616K
+56.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $41.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 108 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $715K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $63K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 226% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to empower the rising generation of Americans to build flourishing lives anchored in strong character, inspired by quality education, driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, and guided by the desire to create value for others.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The Charter School Growth Fund describes its work as identifying and funding the expansion of public charter schools. The Medical College of Wisconsin says it educates and develops future physicians. Belmont University describes itself as a Christ-centered, student-focused Christian community providing higher education. The PBS Foundation says it raises philanthropic support for public broadcasting and its programs and services. These are descriptions of the grantees’ missions, not the foundation’s.
The foundation also reported direct charitable activities supporting the Leader in Me network, maintaining and enhancing the KEEN digital platform for a network of more than 7,300 users, and convening 15 faculty-development conferences attended by 427 grantees.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 108 grants totaling $66,528,519. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $14,400,000, with a median of $46,250.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $14,400,000 to Charter Fund Inc. for “Impact-Character-CTE Integration”; $9,164,400 to MTF Fund for ongoing operational support; $7,500,000 to the Medical College of Wisconsin for the Kern Institute and a national transformation network; and $6,500,000 to Greathearts Foundation for network expansion and programming support. Other substantial grants included $6,245,000 to Arizona State University Foundation for a New American University for institutional embedding, and $3,000,000 to PBS Foundation for development and promotion of a Ken Burns film.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to Colorado (22%), Arizona (19%), Wisconsin (15%), Kansas (14%), and Virginia (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 108 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $34.2M (2022) to $66.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 108 grants totaling $66.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Charter Fund Inc ($14.4M). Together the top 10 received $52.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
610 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 209 grants of 610 (34%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Charter Fund Inc Denver, CO | Impact-Character-CTE Integration | $14,400,000 |
| MTF Fund Overland Park, KS | Ongoing Operational Support | $9,164,400 |
| The Medical College of Wisconsin Inc Milwaukee, WI | Kern Institute - MCW - National Transformation Network | $7,500,000 |
| Greathearts Foundation Phoenix, AZ | Network Expansion and Programming Support | $6,500,000 |
| Arizona State University Foundation for a New American University Tempe, AZ | Embedding Em Institutionally | $6,245,000 |
| PBS Foundation Arlington, VA | Development and Promotion of Ken Burns Film | $3,000,000 |
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | Embedding Em Institutionally; Post-Doc Support | $2,211,875 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College Boston, MA | Human flourishing program capacity; pilot to address ethics and character on campus | $1,480,500 |
| British Schools and Universities Foundation Inc New York, NY | Character Initiative; Development of Character Virtues | $1,191,329 |
| In Medias Res Charlottesville, VA | Support Four Ongoing Initiatives | $1,127,769 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals reported for the three most recent filing years:
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66,528,519 | 108 |
| 2023 | $54,002,017 | 137 |
| 2022 | $34,232,766 | 123 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $836,952,772 | $841,791,534 | $688,020,368 |
| Revenue | $52,929,251 | $170,205,304 | $44,051,289 |
| Expenses | $97,266,071 | $80,667,943 | $48,751,197 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $92,388,093 | $75,548,303 | $45,276,542 |
| Net Investment Income | $58,906,773 | $21,904,138 | $25,531,010 |
| Distributable Amount | $40,967,272 | $40,801,614 | $34,171,290 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James C. Rahn as director and president, Marcia Peterson as director and chairman of the board, Kyle R. Bode as vice president, and Michael W. Senske as CFO and treasurer. It also lists Richard Graber, Gail Hanson, Warren Pierson, Austin Ramirez, Steven Roell, and Dawn Tabat as directors.
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc is led by Rahn James C., Director & President on every filing since 2020; 9 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rahn James C.
Director & President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$561K (2020) → $753K (2024)
Peterson Marcia
Director & Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Graber Richard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Hanson Gail
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Pierson Warren
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Ramirez Austin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Roell Steven
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Tabat Dawn
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Bode Kyle R.
Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$299K (2020) → $410K (2024)
Senske Michael W.
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$286K (2020) → $468K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kern Robert D. (2020–2022) — Director & Vice President
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 $753K, to Rahn James C (Director & President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: W305 S4239 Brookhill Road, Waukesha, WI 53189
Phone: (262) 968-6838
Website: https://www.kffdn.org
Frequently asked questions about The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc
How much does The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc give each year?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc gave $66.5M across 108 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $54.0M across 137 grants.
What is The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $46,250, and its average grant was $616,005, across 108 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc that year got $45K on average.
Where does The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc give grants?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's top state is Colorado, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (19%) and Wisconsin (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (7 grants), Arlington, VA (3 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Boston, MA (3 grants).
Does The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 108) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Embedding Em Institutionally" (65 grants) and "Implement Apdp" (6 grants).
Who are The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Charter Fund Inc ($14,400,000), MTF Fund ($9,164,400) and The Medical College of Wisconsin Inc ($7,500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc reported $837.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $92.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $41.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to empower the rising generation of Americans to build flourishing lives anchored in strong character, inspired by quality education, driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, and guided by the desire to create value for others. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it 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 Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1923558. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc 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.
Here's the math on researching The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Wisconsin
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing
Appleton, WI
Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$939.7M
Grants
2,565
Total Given
$84.6M
Alliant Energy Foundation Inc
Madison, WI
Assets
$28.5M
Grants
929
Total Given
$2.4M
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Give Back Foundation
Madison, WI
Give Back Foundation distributes donor-designated contributions through workplace giving and other giving platforms to selected 501(c)(3) charities, rather than setting its own cause areas. In 2025, grants had a median of $9,066, with recipient organizations concentrated in Virginia, California, and Washington, D.C.; it does not accept unsolicited requests or work directly with charities.
Assets
$31.3M
Grants
639
Total Given
$40.1M
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc
Milwaukee, WI
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County funds local human services and community programs focused on housing stability, digital access, employment, teen mental wellness, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2 million, with a median of about $34,000, and most funding went to Wisconsin, especially its four-county region. It requires a Letter of Intent before a full application; the listed 2026–27 Letter of Intent deadline has passed.
Assets
$50.8M
Grants
639
Total Given
$42.7M
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers Foundation funds Wisconsin charities working in areas such as families, athletics, children’s safety and education, animal welfare, and other focus areas that vary by year. Its 2026 announcement describes typical awards of $3,000–$8,000, though some grants are larger; it accepts online applications during its stated cycle, February 2–April 1, 2026.
Assets
$57.2M
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc
Appleton, WI
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region funds arts and culture, education, health, human services, community improvement, the environment, and other community needs, primarily in four Wisconsin counties and the Neenah-Menasha area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $24,900, though awards varied widely; some donor-initiated funds accept grant requests, and the Community Vision Fund typically uses an application process.
Assets
$536.6M
Grants
448
Total Given
$32.4M
Ab Nicholas Scholarship Foundation
Mequon, WI
The AB Nicholas Scholarship Foundation funds renewable, need-based college scholarships for Wisconsin high school seniors who played on or managed their school basketball team and plan to attend a University of Wisconsin System institution. Awards are typically $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years; applications are submitted online during the stated February 1–April 30 application period.
Assets
$56.9M
Grants
445
Total Given
$3.5M
Mufg Union Bank Foundation Ag
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation’s 2022 grants supported work in economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, conservation, small-business procurement, and education, with examples in Georgia and California. It gave 441 grants totaling $8,518,500 in 2022, including awards from $45,000 to $200,000, but reported no grants in its 2023 final return. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
441
Total Given
$8.5M
Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funds educational excellence in Wisconsin, including student scholarships and awards for teachers, principals, schools, and classrooms; its 2025 grants ranged from $290 to $15,000, with a median of $6,000. It directs applicants to its program applications for application details; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$14K
Grants
425
Total Given
$2.1M
More Funders in Wisconsin
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?