Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation
Chicago, IL · EIN 36-6099675. Reported 494 grants totalling $7,373,400 to 185 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $30,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $150,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Riverkeeper | Hood River, OR | $270,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| US Ski and Snowboard Foundation | Park City, UT | $260,000 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Cred | Chicago, IL | $217,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| National Louis University | Chicago, IL | $171,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Embarc | Chicago, IL | $169,250 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Network for College Success | Chicago, IL | $168,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| One Million Degrees | Chicago, IL | $160,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Newroot Learning Institute (formerly Umoja) | Chicago, IL | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Taos Art Museum | Taos, NM | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bottom Line Chicago | Chicago, IL | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Central Queens Academy | Elmhurst, NY | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| College Track Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $140,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Enlace Chicago | Chicago, IL | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Onegoal | Chicago, IL | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative | Los Angeles, CA | $140,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Year Up Chicago | Chicago, IL | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| College Advising Corps | Chapel Hill, NC | $135,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | New York, NY | $134,000 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Rockefeller Family Fund Inc | New York, NY | $132,000 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| Southern California College Attainment Network | Los Angeles, CA | $132,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| California Community Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $127,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Resident Association of Greater Englewood | Chicago, IL | $125,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Action for the Climate Emergency | Boulder, CO | $120,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Braven Inc | Chicago, IL | $120,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago State Foundation | Chicago, IL | $120,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| College Possible | Chicago, IL | $120,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| North Lawndale College Preparatory School | Chicago, IL | $111,000 | 6 | 3 | 2024 |
| Louisiana Bucket Brigade | New Orleans, LA | $110,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Campaign for College Opportunity | Los Angeles, CA | $96,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (chirla) | Los Angeles, CA | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Partnership for College Completion | Chicago, IL | $90,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Proyecto Pastoral | Los Angeles, CA | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools | Los Angeles, CA | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Greenwood Project | Chicago, IL | $85,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Williams College | Williamstown, MA | $85,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Burke Mountain Academy | East Burke, VT | $80,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Capital & Main | Los Angeles, CA | $80,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Gray Matter Experience | Chicago, IL | $77,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Aspen Community Foundation | Basalt, CO | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Elevate Energy | Chicago, IL | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance | Chicago, IL | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| College Match | Los Angeles, CA | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Communities for a Better Environment | Huntington Park, CA | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Chicago - Consortium on School Research | Chicago, IL | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Clean Air Task Force | Boston, MA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Crossroads Fund | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Movement Voter Fund | Northampton, MA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New York University | New York, NY | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Resources Legacy Fund | Sacramento, CA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vermont Public Interest Research & Education Fund | Montpelier, VT | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New York University School of Law Foundation | New York, NY | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs | Los Angeles, CA | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| The Chicago Public Education Fund | Chicago, IL | $44,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Small Moves Foundation | Chicago, IL | $44,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Montgomery, AL | $40,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fund for the City of New York | New York, NY | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Alliance Center | Denver, CO | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| North Lawndale Preparatory School | Chicago, IL | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | Highland Park, IL | $35,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Skills for Chicagoland's Future | Chicago, IL | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| All Chicago | Chicago, IL | $34,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Alliance for Climate Education | Boulder, CO | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| College Match Co Community Partners | Los Angeles, CA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Earthrights International Inc | Washington, DC | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rogue Climate | Phoenix, OR | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| A Better Chicago | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Central California Environmental Justice Network | Fresno, CA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Citizens Utility Board | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Concerned Citizens of Montauk | Montauk, NY | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Conservation Law Foundation | Boston, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Environmental Integrity Project | Washington, DC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund | Austin, TX | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Tulane University | New Orleans, LA | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Union of Concerned Scientists Inc | Cambridge, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Western Resource Advocates | Boulder, CO | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Colorado Foundation | Boulder, CO | $22,500 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund | New York, NY | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Oxfam America | Boston, MA | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Partners in Health | Frederick, MD | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Rivers Inc | Washington, DC | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Louisiana League of Conscious Voters | Kenner, LA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The New 42ND Street Inc | New York, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Jumpstart | Boston, MA | $17,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Anti-Defamation League | Denver, CO | $15,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Campus Climate Network | Beverly Hills, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Goodkids Madcity - Englewood | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Aspen Institute | Washington, DC | $11,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Art Base | Basalt, CO | $11,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Apex for Youth Inc | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Conservation International | Arlington, VA | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Kids First Chicago for Education | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Louisiana Environmental Action Network | Baton Rouge, LA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Stratton Mountain School | Stratton Mountain, VT | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Kitchen | New York, NY | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Midwest Access Project | Chicago, IL | $9,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Children's Rights | New York, NY | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cool Culture | Brooklyn, NY | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wagner Free Institute of Science | Philadelphia, PA | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Aspen Center for Environmental Studies | Aspen, CO | $7,700 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bennington College | Bennington, VT | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Forefront | Chicago, IL | $6,885 | 4 | 2 | 2024 |
| National Center for Family Philanthropy | Washington, DC | $6,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Afiya Center | Dallas, TX | $5,200 | 3 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chicago Botanic Gardens | Glencoe, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Feeding San Diego | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grantmakers for Effective Organizations | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Heart of Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| James E Hughes JR Foundation | Birmingham, AL | $5,000 | 8 | 1 | 2023 |
| Nu Office of Alumni Relations & Development | Evanston, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| True Kids 1 | Rancho De Taos, NM | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Willits Charter School | Willits, CA | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Willits Elementary Charter School | Willits, CA | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation Inc | Livingston, NJ | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sarah's Circle | Chicago, IL | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Refugeeone | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Friends of Brentano School | Chicago, IL | $3,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Forefront Co Fbrk Impact House | Chicago, IL | $3,215 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Aspen Youth Center | Aspen, CO | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group | Chicago, IL | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Memphis Center for Reproductive Health | Memphis, TN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Communities in Schools of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Duke University | Durham, NC | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Feeding San Diego | San Diego, CA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | Beaverton, OR | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Mountaineers | Seattle, WA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Trevor Project | West Hollywood, CA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Anderson Ranch Arts Center | Snowmass Village, CO | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Basalt Education Foundation | Basalt, CO | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Growing Years School | Basalt, CO | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Human Rights Watch | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kzyx&z | Philo, CA | $2,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Openlands Project | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education | San Antonio, TX | $1,700 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sbp (formerly St Bernard Project) | New Orleans, LA | $1,700 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Great Expectations | Glenwood Springs, CO | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest | San Diego, CA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem | Washington, DC | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Working Family Solidarity | Chicago, IL | $1,500 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Adoptable Friends Nfp | Mundelein, IL | $1,250 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Robert F Kennedy Human Rights | New York, NY | $1,250 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Abraham in Motion Inc | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Communityhealth | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Edward Charles Foundation | Beverly Hills, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Growing Home Inc | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Homeboy Industries | Los Angeles, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mountain Rescue Aspen | Aspen, CO | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| North Shore Country Day School | Winnetka, IL | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Inc | Denver, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Southwest Organizing Project | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Jordan Michael Filler Foundation | Highland Park, IL | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Apna Ghar Inc | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chicago Volunteer Doulas | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children First Fund the Chicago Public Schools Foundation | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City Colleges of Chicago Foundation | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Environmental Defense Fund | Washington, DC | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Family Visitor Program of Garfield County Inc | San Diego, CA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Modern Classrooms Project Inc | Washington, DC | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nuestra Alianza De Willits | Willits, CA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Palenque Lsna (formerly Logan Square Neighborhood Association) | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Restore Justice Foundation | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, NY | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Skidmore College Office of Advancement | Saratoga Springs, NY | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Taft School | Watertown, CT | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Art Center Highland Park | Highland Park, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Rory David Deutsch Foundation | Highland Park, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Top Box Foods | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat | Sharon, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Westside Justice Center Inc | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wild Ones | Neenah, WI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
106 of 185 (57%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 68%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Taos Art Museum
support of the capital campaign - Columbia Riverkeeper
support of the legal campaign against fracked gas expansion - Aspen Community Foundation
Michael and Laura Kaplan's donor-advised fund - Resident Association of Greater Englewood
support of the resident-led fund - Chicago Cred
support of 100 Blocks, 100 Churches - US Ski and Snowboard Foundation
Marolt Athlete Endowment campaign - Bob Beattie Athlete Travel Fund
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 385 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | $1,828,072 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 128 | $2,046,715 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 131 | $1,920,500 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 103 | $1,578,113 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation has 2 of them, worth $20,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Chicago, IL | $10,000 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | Highland Park, IL | $10,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 45% of this one's giving went to organizations in Illinois. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 161 N Clark Street 3030, Chicago, IL, 60601. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 36-6099675 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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