Kohlberg Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Kohlberg Foundation supports higher education, medical research and environmental initiatives. Kohlberg’s grants for science research focus on human health, integrative medicine and disease research, while its environmental grantmaking centers around sustainable foodways and local land conservation groups.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible funder that accepts one-page letters of inquiry on an ongoing basis. It typically supports larger research organizations and academic institutions, and as a result, small research organizations will find it difficult to secure funding. It’s also very approachable, so don’t hesitate to contact Kohlberg with questions.
PROFILE: The Kohlberg Foundation reflects the philanthropic priorities of its founders, Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg. Jerome Kohlberg, who passed away in 2015, was the co-founder of private-equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company and is often considered a “pioneer of the private equity industry.” The Kohlberg Foundation describes its grantmaking as having an “unfettered, roll-up-your-sleeves quality.” It supports health and medical research, education and the environment.
Grants for Higher Education
Higher education institutions may receive grants through any of the foundation’s program areas. The foundation lacks a grantmaking strategy for higher education. Past grantees include the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland Baltimore, the Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, the Veterans Legal Center at University of San Diego Law School, Marlboro College in Vermont and Swarthmore College.
Grants for Science Research
In the science research field, the foundation supports large academic and research organizations. In the past, Kohlberg has awarded substantial grants to the Institute of Integrative Health for its ongoing work toward “building the evidence base for integrative medicine and advancing science with new research methods.” The University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine is also a past grantee, having received sizable general support grants.
Grants for Environmental Conservation and Agriculture
The Kohlberg Foundation’s environmental grantmaking primarily centers around sustainable foodways and local land conservation in the Northeastern United States. Past grantees include Island Grown Initiative, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, Great Pond Foundation, Teatown Lake Reservation, Biodiversity Works and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Grants for Civic and Democracy
The Kohlberg Foundation’s grantmaking for civic engagement and democracy takes the form of support for prominent national policy think tanks, advocates and law schools. Past grantees include the Brennan Center for Justice, Indivisible Civic Engagement, Alliance for Justice, Young Invincibles and ProPublica.
Important Grant Details:
Kohlberg’s grants generally range from $10,000 to $100,000, but grants as large as $2.5 million have been awarded. Additional information about the foundation’s past grants is available in its annual reports.
The Kohlberg Foundation accepts one-page letters of inquiry by mail from organizations whose work aligns with its principles. Proposals for funding will not be reviewed.
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