Private foundation · EIN 46-5641218 · Wilmington, Delaware · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Debra and Kenneth Caplan Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 66 grants paid, $1.8M total, median $5,000. 2% of grants stayed in Delaware.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
66
$1.8M
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in DE
2%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$33M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 66 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIGeneral & Unrestricted (SEE ATTACHED GENERAL EXPLANATION)$631K
Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NjWhippany, NJFor Centennial Living Lester & ANNUAL SUPPORT$136K
Brown UniversityProvidence, RIGeneral & unrestricted$102K
Chabad of College Hill IncProvidence, RIGeneral & Unrestricted$100K
Jewish Communal FundNew York, NYThe Wesley M. LePatner Charitable Fund$100K
United Jewish Appeal Federation of Jewish PhilanthNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$100K
Greenlight Fund IncBoston, MAGeneral & Unrestricted (SEE ATTACHED GENERAL EXPLANATION)$99K
Brown UniversityProvidence, RIGeneral & Unrestricted (See attached general explanation)$98K
18 CorpLivingston, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$36K
Congregation Bnai JeshurunShort Hills, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$36K
Family Legal Care IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$35K
Harlem Rbi IncorporatedNew York, NYCharitable Event$25K
New Jersey Tutoring Corps IncJamesburg, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$25K
Their Stories FoundationPoint Pleasant, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$25K
Regents of the University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIMichigan Athletics$23K
CASA for Children of Essex County IncNewark, NJGolf Outing$20K
Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus LifeProvidence, RIGeneral & Unrestricted$18K
Nagen Project IncBoca Raton, FLGeneral & Unrestricted$18K
Tamid Israel Investment Group LtdGrand Rapids, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$12K
Jewish Vocational Service of Metro WestEast Orange, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$10K
Breaking Ground Housing Development Fund CorporatiNew York, NYCharitable Event$10K
Coregiving CoChicago, ILGeneral & Unrestricted$10K
Lisa B Fishman Foundation IncMontville, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$10K
Melanoma Research FoundationWashington, DC24th Annual New York Gala$10K
Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on JewiNew York, NYMET Council Annual Benefit$10K
Spark Youth NYC IncNew York, NYSparkYouth's Annual Awards Gala$10K
Citizens Committee for New York City IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$7,500
Citymeals-On-WheelsNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$7,500
San Francisco AIDS FoundationSan Francisco, CAGeneral & Unrestricted$7,000
Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders New YorkNew York, NYCaring to Remember$5,000
American Online Giving Foundation IncNewark, DEGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New York City IncNew York, NY27th Annual Casino Jazz Night$5,000
Breast Cancer Research Foundation IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
Encourage Kids FoundationNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
Good Grief IncMorristown, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
Lets Win Pancreatic Cancer FoundationNew York, NYLet's Win Together Annual Benefit$5,000
Michael Wolk Heart Foundation IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
New York Cares IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$5,000
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest Nj a New JerseyFlorham Park, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$3,780
Jewish National Fund-Usa IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$3,600
University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$2,822
Brainup IncFrankfort, IL8th Annual BrainUp 5K Run/Walk$2,500
Child Mind Institute IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$2,500
Comfort Zone Camp IncRichmond, VAAnchored in Resilience Gala$2,500
Habitat for Humanity International IncLake Worth, FLGeneral & Unrestricted$2,500
Park Avenue SynagogueNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$2,500
The Apollo Theater Foundation IncNew York, NYApollo Spring Benefit$2,500
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$2,000
Challenged Athletes IncSan Diego, CAGeneral & Unrestricted$1,800
Lifetown IncLivingston, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$1,800
Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges IncShort Hills, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$1,500
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$1,500
Cure Breast Cancer Foundation IncClifton, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$1,250
FIRST Tee New York IncBronx, NYAnnual New York Real Estate Open$1,000
Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus LifeAnn Arbor, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
James Krystalla Foundation IncWestfield, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Making Headway Foundation IncChappaqua, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Regents of the University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Rwj Barnabas Health IncOceanport, NJGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Greenlight Fund IncBoston, MAGeneral & unrestricted$942

By state: Michigan 6 · New York 25 · Rhode Island 4 · New Jersey 17 · Massachusetts 2 · Florida 3

About this foundation

Debra and Kenneth Caplan Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Wilmington, Delaware, administered in care of Foundation Source, tax-exempt since 2015. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Debra and Kenneth Caplan Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Debra and Kenneth Caplan Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.8M across 66 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Debra and Kenneth Caplan Foundation give?

Michigan (6 grants), New York (25 grants), Rhode Island (4 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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