Kaphan Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Kaphan Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to policy and civic action, digital rights, education and youth, the environment, health, and global causes.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.

In addition to their funding interests, Kaphan has supported A Jewish Voice for Peace. On a global level, past grantees include Oxfam America and Worldreader, which provides e-books to people in low-income countries.

Kaphan has a range of interests, but keeps a low profile, making it tough to get a handle on what, exactly, he looks for in his grantees. Expect Washington State to feature heavily in his future philanthropy, though.

PROFILE: Established in 2003, the Kaphan Foundation is steered by tech mogul Shel Kaphan, who was vice president and CTO of Amazon.com. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Kaphan Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to policy and civic action, digital rights, education and youth, the environment, health, and global causes.

Shel serves on the board of MapLight, "a nonpartisan research organization that reveals money’s influence on politics," and strongly supports the organization via his foundation.

Grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement

Kaphan serves on the board of MapLight, "a nonpartisan research organization that reveals money’s influence on politics," and strongly supports the organization via his foundation. Other grantees include Democracy Now!, Center for Constitutional Rights, Washington Progress Fund, FairVote, The Innocence Project, and Fuse, which brings "Washington residents together to support progressive causes and leaders." Kaphan seems to prioritize local organizations that work in Seattle and across the state of Washington. 

Grants for K-12 Education, Higher Ed and Youth

Kaphan has supported Bellevue College Foundation, Code for America, Chances for Children, and Year Up. He has also supported Worldreader with grants totaling almost $2 million.

Grants for Media and Journalism

Kaphan has supported Wikimedia Foundation, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Long Now Foundation, a project of computer pioneer Daniel Hillis and Whole Earth founder Stewart Brand to develop The 10,000 Year Clock.

Grants for Environment

Past grantees include Earth Economics, and Seattle Tilth, a "nonprofit organic gardening and urban ecology organization with classes, learning gardens and farms, children's programs and community," both in Washington State. Kaphan has also supported NRDC through his foundation. 

Grants for Health and Community Development

Kaphan supports Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and DESC of Seattle, which serves disabled and vulnerable homeless adults.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $5,000 to $250,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away $3.1 million. Past grantees include Washington Progress Fund, Bellevue College Foundation, Democracy Now!, Town Hall Seattle, University of Washington, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

The Kaphan Foundation
200 W Mercer St, E300
Seattle, WA 98119