Decreased Reliance on Governmental Support:

The Karpus Family Foundation values organizations that demonstrate independence, sustainability, and efficient use of resources beyond governmental funding sources. While public funding can play an important role, preference may be given to organizations that maintain diversified revenue streams, strong community or private support, and the ability to address important community needs with limited reliance on ongoing government assistance.

The Foundation particularly values organizations that demonstrate measurable impact, operational efficiency, and strong mission-focused leadership.

Geographic Areas of Focus

The Foundation primarily supports organizations serving:

• The Greater Rochester, New York region;
• Florida;
• The Greater Cleveland, Ohio region.

Additional consideration may be given to organizations operating elsewhere in New York State, as well as select regional or national organizations that closely align with the Foundation’s charitable purposes and funding priorities.

Responsible Fiscal Management

The Karpus Family Foundation believes charitable dollars should be managed with discipline, accountability, and long-term thinking. The Foundation itself was built through decades of prudent investment management and responsible financial stewardship by George W. Karpus, and those same principles continue to guide the Foundation’s philanthropic philosophy today.

The Foundation seeks to partner with organizations that demonstrate strong leadership, operational efficiency, transparent financial practices, and thoughtful stewardship of the resources already entrusted to them. Funding decisions consider not only mission alignment, but also an organization’s ability to responsibly manage assets, control unnecessary overhead, maintain appropriate reserves, and maximize measurable community impact.

Preference may be given to organizations that:

• Demonstrate strong fiscal discipline and budget efficiency;
• Direct the substantial majority of expenditures toward mission-based programs and services;
• Maintain transparent and sustainable financial practices;
• Demonstrate thoughtful reserve, cash, and investment management.

As part of the due diligence process, applicants may be asked to provide information regarding reserves, investments, liquidity, and related financial stewardship practices. While this level of review may be uncommon for some organizations, the Foundation believes responsible management of charitable resources is an important part of long-term nonprofit sustainability and leadership.

The Foundation does not require or recommend the use of any specific investment manager, advisor, financial institution, or investment strategy.