The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2024, it reported 38 grants totaling $279,720 to organizations including Jewish community organizations, educational and cultural organizations, and human-service nonprofits.
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan at a glance
In short: The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan gave $280K across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state Minnesota. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $279,720
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,361
- -26.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $5,275,822
- +13.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (16 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (44% 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 Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 730 Second Avenue South 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: (612) 375-1138
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Minneapolis Jewish Federation ($60K). Together the top 10 received $213K.
Grant Size Distribution
136 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 136 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 44% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota, 22% to recipients in the District of Columbia, 13% to recipients in Maryland, 9% to recipients in California, and 5% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 38 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% 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 $77K (2020) to $362K (2022). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $280K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Jewish Federation Minnetonka, MN | Operating Support | $60,000 |
| J Street Education Fund Washington, DC | Operating Support | $32,500 |
| Temple Israel Minneapolis, MN | Operating Support | $30,400 |
| Kid Museum Bethesda, MD | Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Jewish Family & Children Services Minnetonka, MN | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Herzl Camp Minneapolis, MN | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| New Israel Fund Philadelphia, PA | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC Washington, DC | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| The Jewish Federation of Greater Washinton Rockville, MD | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Operating Support | $10,000 |
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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 | $5,275,822 | $914,332 | $284,483 | $279,720 | 38 | $280,588 | $270,437 | $270,858 |
| 2023 | $4,645,973 | $571,602 | $316,188 | $300,853 | 30 | $303,818 | $87,264 | $214,808 |
| 2022 | $4,390,559 | $1,295,884 | $368,267 | $361,573 | 29 | $363,304 | $282,184 | $178,045 |
| 2021 | $3,462,942 | $729,036 | $176,208 | $168,348 | 26 | $169,659 | $385,451 | $165,398 |
| 2020 | $2,907,115 | $760,836 | $79,498 | $76,500 | 13 | — | $197,101 | $110,641 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan reported a distributable amount of $271K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include operating support for Jewish community organizations and other nonprofits. The Minneapolis Jewish Federation describes its mission as promoting philanthropy, addressing local and global Jewish needs, and planning for a thriving and secure Jewish future. J Street Education Fund says it provides education about the need for bold American leadership to help achieve a peaceful, viable, and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Other 2024 recipients describe work in areas including youth and family support, veterinary care, and community life. For example, Identity Inc. says it creates opportunities for youth, families, and communities with the greatest need to thrive; Mission Animal Hospital says it works to make veterinary care accessible; and the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco says it brings people together to explore, connect, and flourish through Jewish culture and traditions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 38 grants totaling $279,720. Grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median grant of $2,500. The largest grants included $60,000 to Minneapolis Jewish Federation, $32,500 to J Street Education Fund, $30,400 to Temple Israel, and $25,000 to KID Museum. Each was listed for operating support.
Other grants of note included $15,000 to Jewish Family & Children Services and $10,000 each to Herzl Camp, New Israel Fund, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and the University of California San Francisco.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sylvia Kaplan as president, Sonia Chessen as vice president, Kerri Lehmann as treasurer, Jill Chessen as secretary, and Samuel Kaplan as an officer.
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan is led by Sylvia Kaplan, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sylvia Kaplan
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jill Chessen
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kerri Lehmann
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Samuel Kaplan
Officer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sonia Chessen
Vice President
On filings since 2020
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 Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan
How much does The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan give each year?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan gave $280K across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $301K across 30 grants.
What is The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's typical grant size?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $7,361, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan give grants?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's top state is Minnesota, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (22%) and Maryland (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (10 grants), Minneapolis, MN (5 grants), San Francisco, CA (5 grants) and Minnetonka, MN (2 grants).
Does The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's largest grantees?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's largest 2024 grantees include Minneapolis Jewish Federation ($60,000), J Street Education Fund ($32,500) and Temple Israel ($30,400), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $281K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $271K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include operating support for Jewish community organizations and other nonprofits. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's EIN?
The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4971406. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-samuel-and-sylvia-kaplan-morg_572798cfbee14bc29aa42a1ce27dc3eb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_474971406_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-samuel-and-sylvia-kaplan-morg_572798cfbee14bc29aa42a1ce27dc3eb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Samuel and Sylvia Kaplan'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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