Helping people and animals in need through pride in work and education, since 2015.
FOUNDER’S LETTER
I come from a rather humble background. My father was a sixth grade educated Pennsylvania coal miner who suffered a crushed pelvis in the mines and then worked in a sheltered work shop in Binghamton, NY later in life. My mother worked in a factory putting jackets on books. Together, they never made $20,000 in any year. My father taught me work ethic and to never quit. My mother taught me how to save and manage a budget
Armed with a strong foundation from my parents, educational experiences at St. Lawrence and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and valuable early career experiences at Bache & Co., Shearson Hayden-Stone, and Marine Midland Bank, I was able to start Karpus Investment Management in May of 1986. Thirty years ago, I could never have imagined the success that we have achieved. To me, life is all about friends, family and helping those in need.
Therefore, I have started The Karpus Family Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, with an emphasis on helping people and animals in need. Promoting education is also a goal, with the ultimate objective of helping people live a productive life. My father never realized that the sheltered workshop where he worked was subsidized by donations. He took pride in the fact that he was working and earning a paycheck. This pride and sense of satisfaction is something I hope to rekindle in people who benefit from the Karpus Family Foundation.
Sincerely,
George W. Karpus
President of the Karpus Family Foundation
HOW WE FUND
Eligibility:
The requesting organization must be a 501(c)(3) or equivalent whose programs/projects meet the Karpus Family Foundation’s funding purposes and key factors for funding.
Procedure:
- Letter of Inquiry – LOI submission is required through the online grant management portal which can be accessed by clicking the Application tab on this page. The LOI allows organizations to propose a grant idea that can be assessed for funding eligibility.
- LOIs can be submitted at any time for review & will be reviewed within 21 days of receipt.
The organization will then be contacted regarding the status of the LOI and how to proceed if you are invited to submit a full grant application. - If the organization is invited to submit a full grant application, it will then become accessible in the online grant management portal.
- At that time the organization can begin completing the grant application, save any work in progress as needed, and submit the application at any time.
- Applications are accepted by invitation year-round.
Please note: An invitation to complete an application is not a guarantee of approval.
Timeline:
Applications are considered during one of our three annual grantmaking cycles.
Submission deadlines are due one month prior to that cycle’s Foundation board meeting.
Specific deadline dates will be found on the application form.
Applications can be submitted through the online grant management portal which can be accessed by clicking the Application tab on this page.
Annual Grant Cycles:
1st Cycle: First quarter of the calendar year
2nd Cycle: Late Spring/Early Summer
3rd Cycle: Early Fall
FUNDING PURPOSES
A. Training and assisting disabled individuals and disabled armed forces veterans to become productive workers and lead productive lives.
B. Preventing the abuse to women and children and providing medical and health services to such abused women and children who cannot otherwise afford it.
C. Fostering the role of education in preventing community violence and reducing the threat of criminals to society.
D. Preventing cruelty to animals and caring of displaced animals; provided, however, that no support shall be provided to medical charities that cause suffering to animals.
E. Providing anti-abortion incentives and right to life education to the general Christian/Judeo public.
F. Supporting medical institutions that provide leading edge treatment and research.
G. Providing educational assistance in the form of grants and scholarships to individuals of a charitable class, provided, however that grants or scholarships shall not be awarded either to individuals who are employed by the Foundation or to the children of individuals who are employed by the Foundation.
H. Supporting organizations that promote: sound, conservative economic principals and education, free markets, capitalism, and the United States Constitution.
Key Factors for Funding
Decreased Reliance on Governmental Support:
The foundation focuses on impactful community projects filling gaps not covered by government funding.
Preference is given to organizations with less reliance on governmental support.
Geographic areas:
Preference is given to organizations that are operating in the Greater Rochester area, Florida, and Cleveland, OH. With some consideration for other areas in New York State as well as national organizations that align with our funding purposes.
Responsible Fiscal Management:
The Karpus Family Foundation values responsible fiscal management, a principle reflected in its own establishment through Karpus Investment Management.
The foundation is looking for those organizations that demonstrate efficient use of funds and responsible fiscal management.
Primary decisions are based on an organization’s budget efficiency.
Preference will be given to organizations that spend the majority of their budget on their mission rather than on administrative and fundraising expenses.
Please note: The application process requires specific investment information to assess financial stewardship.
THE GEORGE W. KARPUS '68 SCHOLARSHIP
The Karpus Scholarship supports the best and brightest students from Chenango Forks High School and Greene Central High School in New York State who wish to pursue their undergraduate studies at St. Lawrence University. The Scholarship is awarded to students based on their high school grade point average (GPA) and helps to reduce the overall cost of attending St. Lawrence University.
Additional Information:
For more information on the financial aid packages available and eligibility requirements, please see the full Karpus Scholarship document at the link below:
Scholarship Information
Our Board
George Karpus, President
Kathy Karpus, Vice President / Secretary
Rodd Riesenberger, Treasurer
Debbie Haehl, Director
Donald Haehl, Director
Paul Lipari, Director
Tony Mirrione, Director
Joan Riesenberger, Director
Gerry Wenzke, Director
Kathy May, Administrative Assistant
Our Donations
The statistics below also include the “Karpus Fund” through the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Our yearly goal is to donate $1,000,000 through the RACF in addition to $1,000,000 through KFF.
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Apply
If you are interested in seeking a grant from the Karpus Family Foundation, our Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and application can be completed at our online portal through this link. You will need to complete BOTH the LOI and the application for a grant proposal.
REQUEST INFORMATION
If you’d like to reach out to someone on our board, but aren’t ready to apply or have a different request, please fill out our form.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
We have had the privilege of working with over 30 nonprofit organizations, including…
Miracle Field
Building Homes for Heroes
Camp Good Days
Gigis Playhouse
Veterans Outreach Center
Home Base
Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WASPS)
Building Homes for Heroes
Camp Good Days
Gigis Playhouse
Veterans Outreach Center
Home Base
Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WASPS)
Heritage Home for Women
Angels of Mercy
Angels of Mercy
EDWINS
Cameron Communit
Ministries
Humane Society of Rochester
Homeless Hounds
Satchel’s Last Resort
Puppies Behind Bars
Homeless Hounds
Satchel’s Last Resort
Puppies Behind Bars
Focus Pregnancy Help Center
Alliance Defending Freedom
Caring Choices Pregnancy Help Center
Alliance Defending Freedom
Caring Choices Pregnancy Help Center
NET Research Foundation
Cancer Alliance of Naples
Cancer Alliance of Naples
Hope Hall
Friends of Breakthrough Schools
Immokalee Foundation
Eagle Forum Foundation
Friends of Breakthrough Schools
Immokalee Foundation
Eagle Forum Foundation
Leadership Institute
Media Research Center
Daily Caller
Judicial Watch
Prager University Foundation
Project Veritas
Media Research Center
Daily Caller
Judicial Watch
Prager University Foundation
Project Veritas
George is very proud of his alma mater, St. Lawrence University, and we are proud to have contributed to the realization of the new Athletic Center. Go Saints! ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
George and Kathy, U are the most generous people I know! And I’m so blessed and proud to have U both for friends. What a beautiful , state of the art athletic building , and to have your name on it! So deserving! Congratulations ! God Bless you. Love U both !👏👏🎉❤️
How wonderful! You guys are amazing! Congratulations! Love you!❤
Congratulations ‼️ Kathy and George you are the most amazing people. Always giving. God Bless you both 🙏💞
Thank you so much for this wonderful gift! Andrew Macdonald Class of 1977
Congratulations!
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Some of our KFF board members attended “Elmer’s Moo-ving Party”. Elmer was moved out of the way so that construction of new facilities can begin. This brings us one step closer to making the Karpus Family Foundation Learning Center at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester a reality. ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Super excited 😊
Go Elmer!
KFF Directors, Joan & Rodd Riesenberger stopped in to visit our friends at “WellVentions” from ProsperRochester, Inc. at the Rochester Public Market today. They were hard at work making and selling their products while learning some excellent business skills. Keep up the great work! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentComment on Facebook
Congrats you two, you do good work.❤️🙄👍
Photos from Sunny Mike Foundation's post ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentComment on Facebook
Amazing! Sunny Mike Foundtion is such a great cause. Congrats
If you are interested in a grant from KFF this grant making cycle, LOIs and Applications need to be submitted by next week. Otherwise, applications will be delayed until the next deadline of May 1st.
Please see our website for more information.
Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
If you have not received an email from us acknowledging receipt of your completed application, then it has not been successfully submitted. Please log into the portal and check your status. We have more than a dozen still in “draft”. Thanks, Rodd
Thank you for making our work possible!
Just a wonderful family and organization! Thank you for all you do.
Douglas Thiele
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For our friends at the Chenango Forks Central School District and neighboring Green High School, please see the GWK ‘68 Scholarship flyer. Interested seniors should apply soon as the cut off for the fall SLU semester ends on February 1st. ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
AWESOME!! 👏👏👏👏
Amazing work Karpus
Awesome 👏🏻
Awesome!👍
That’s great! 👏👏👏
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0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Terrific Tuesday Alert ⚠️ 🤩
We are so proud to share that The Karpus Family Foundation has generously awarded The Immokalee Foundation a major gift in their continued effort to support our ground-breaking Career Pathways Program 🎉
"Making our country great requires an investment in our youth. The Karpus Family Foundation continues to be proud to partner with the Immokalee Foundation and we thank them for bringing our attention to this great opportunity to support college educations. These students have the potential to make positive changes in the country and that all begins with values instilled in them by their community and their families." - The Karpus Family Foundation
Thank you, Karpus Family Foundation 🙌
Education 🧡 Empowerment 💙 Hope 🧡 This is where the adventure begins!
#theimmokaleefoundation #majorgifts #grant #philanthropy #nonprofitorganization #communityengagement #studentsuccess #EmpoweringYouth @followers ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Way to go Karpus Family Foundation
Awesome
Wonderful
If you are interested in seeking a grant from the Karpus Family Foundation, our LOI and application can be completed at our online portal through this link.
www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=karpusffdn ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Douglas Thiele will be representing Bella's Bumbas 🙏🥰
Great news and thank you for the update! 👍
Gordon D. Clarke for Heroes on the Water?
Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions. Puppy Mill Rescue Team
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