OVERVIEW: The James and Agnes Kim Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, arts, culture, and health. It also earmarks funds for other organizations that improve the community.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Down the line, the couple’s children Susan, who is especially civically active, and John, who is active in the family business, should be watched as giving moves to the next generation. This funder takes a proactive funding approach, which requires networking here. It will be difficult to get on this funder’s radar.
PROFILE: Established in 1997, the James and Agnes Kim Foundation was founded by James and Agnes Kim. James Joo-Jin Kim immigrated to the United States from South Korea in 1955. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He taught at Villanova University before going on to found Amkor Technology, which he molded into a world leading independent fabricator of chips and ICs. He also created video computer and video games retailer Electronics Boutique (EB Games). In 1977, Agnes C. Kim and her husband created EB Games. GameStop bought EB Games in 2005 for $1.4 billion in cash and stock. The Kim family netted more than $500 million and have been on the Forbes billionaire list in the past. According to tax filings, the James and Agnes Kim Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, arts, culture, and health. It also earmarks funds for other organizations that improve the community.
Grants for Higher Education and Youth
The Kim Foundation funds schools, universities, and programs that expand access to learning.
- Kim is a steady patron of his alma mater University of Pennsylvania; he is a former member of the board of overseers of the School of Arts and Sciences. Kim has been an advocate and supporter of Korean Studies for a quarter of a century and created the James Joo-Jin Jim Program in Korean Studies at Penn.
- The family also endowed the James Joo-Jin Kim Professorship at the Wharton School, established the James J. Kim Trustee Scholarship, and the James Joo-Jin Kim Professorship in Economics in the School of Arts and Sciences, among other efforts.
- The Kims have also supported Villanova University, where Kim once taught.
- Other grantees have included Dartmouth College, Temple University (where Kim received an honorary degree), Young Scholars Charter School, and Georgetown University.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Grants are directed toward art museums and cultural institutions, helping preserve and promote artistic heritage.
- The couple’s daughter Susan has served on the board of the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, which the family supports.
- Other grantees have included Philadelphia Orchestra Association, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and National Constitution Center.
Grants for Health
The couple’s health-related grantmaking prioritizes larger, established health organizations such as hospitals, as well as medical research and healthcare initiatives, such as the Kim Family Neurovascular Surgery Program at Penn Medicine.
- Past health grantees include Wills Eye Hospital and the Bryn Mawr Hospital Foundation.
- Though not a major priority, health giving may grow down the line.
Grants for Community Development and the Environment
Kim invests in organizations that strengthen local communities, including wellness and advocacy programs.
- Via their foundation, the Kims have given millions to Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia. Susan sits on the board of the institution.
- The foundation supported Natural Lands Trust, a non-profit land conservation organization with headquarters in Media, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the “management, protection, and conservation of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey’s native forests, fields, steams, and wetlands.” Grants here tend to prioritize Philadelphia organizations, as well as Bryn Mawr and Hanover, Pennsylvania.
- Other local grantees have included Philabundance, Salvation Army of Philadelphia, and Chester County Food Bank.
Important Grant Details:
Grants tend to range between $5,000 to around $500,000. The foundation has given million dollar grants to Catholic groups, but its average grant size overall is just $25,000. It awards around $1.5 million annually and holds $68 million in assets. In a recent year, the foundation gave away approximately $2.2 million.
- Grantmaking focuses on the Philadelphia area, including its Main Line suburbs. The foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers.
- However, it often provides general contributions to support local causes in its region of focus.
- The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited applications.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
James and Agnes Kim Foundation
1500 E. Lancaster Ave.
Paoli, PA 1930
610-296-4200
