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.
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $66,528,519
- +23.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 108
- -21.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $616,005
- +56.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $46,250
- Total assets
- $836,952,772
- -0.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (16 of 108, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (22% 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 Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: W305 S4239 Brookhill Road, Waukesha, WI 53189
Phone: (262) 968-6838
Website: https://www.kffdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc funds
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%).
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
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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals reported for the three most recent filing years:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $836,952,772 | $52,929,251 | $97,266,071 | $66,528,519 | 108 | $92,388,093 | $58,906,773 | $40,967,272 |
| 2023 | $841,791,534 | $170,205,304 | $80,667,943 | $54,002,017 | 137 | $75,548,303 | $21,904,138 | $40,801,614 |
| 2022 | $688,020,368 | $44,051,289 | $48,751,197 | $34,232,766 | 123 | $45,276,542 | $25,531,010 | $34,171,290 |
| 2021 | $759,382,340 | $72,623,533 | $79,778,735 | $65,650,248 | 122 | $75,846,286 | $69,731,023 | $36,401,457 |
| 2020 | $717,991,169 | $43,480,423 | $67,443,950 | $54,070,664 | 120 | — | $40,576,971 | $33,299,796 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
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.
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.
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.
Data update history
(6)
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
Live grants for the work The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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 that support many of the same organizations
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
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Deloitte Foundation
Stamford, CT
The Deloitte Foundation funds U.S. education initiatives, including scholarships, curriculum and faculty support, mentoring, and grants to education nonprofits and universities, particularly through local programs in about 30 selected locations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and it does not accept unsolicited requests for its Local Impact Grant Program.
Assets
$51.4M
Grants
121
Total Given
$32.5M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
National Collegiate Athletic Association
Indianapolis, IN
The NCAA funds college sports, including member conferences and schools, championships, student-athlete programs, coaching and athletics administration, and academic initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $61.9 million, with a median of $16,228; recipients were across the United States, with the largest reported shares in Texas, North Carolina, Illinois, and Alabama. The profile does not state whether the NCAA accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
591
Total Given
$627.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-d-and-patricia-e-kern-family-foundation-inc-morg_2f85a847a84b46d7a94c069f2e6bdd9a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391923558_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-d-and-patricia-e-kern-family-foundation-inc-morg_2f85a847a84b46d7a94c069f2e6bdd9a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc'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.
The Robert D and Patricia E Kern Family Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?