Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
OVERVIEW: A venture philanthropy organization focused on early-stage organizations, Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation seeks grantees with the potential to create effective, scalable solutions to pressing social problems in the U.S. and abroad.
IP TAKE: DRK seeks young NGOs to fund. While the foundation supports new organizations, it does not necessarily mean that it will support groups with inexperienced leaders. Those looking to get a foot in the door need to have dynamic and capable leadership.
DRK is also a unique funder in that they are a self-described global venture philanthropy firm. It makes grants both at the national and international levels, often as a new organizations first major funder. This is a great funder to know if you’re just getting started, but have an outstanding team and research-backed work in place and are looking to scale. Securing a grant through DRK typically takes about 6 months from proposal to dispersal.
This is a highly supportive funder that likes to invest in grantees for three year cycles in order to help them scale. it’s also approachable and accessible, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
PROFILE: Venture capitalists William H. Draper III and Robin Richards Donohoe established the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation in 2001. In 2010, the pair partnered with Robert Kaplan and a group of 14 like-minded philanthropists to scale the foundation’s operations. The foundation applies a venture capitalist approach to philanthropy, seeking out groups working to “Find, fund and support exceptional leaders with passion, tenacity and vision.” DRK’s model reflects a predisposition to supporting young organizations and those that are in their formative years, typically between one and three years old; however, grantees must also have the potential to scale and create lasting positive change.
Grants for Global Development, Energy and Climate Change, Food and Agriculture, Civic Engagement, Arts and Culture, Immigrants and Refugees
The DRK Foundation does not list specific programmatic areas of grantmaking focus. While DRK’s funding appears all over the place, it makes grants through distinct themes. Instead, grantseekers are expected to work on meaningful projects that have the potential to enact widespread change for pressing social problems in the U.S. and abroad. This approach opens many opportunities for potential grantees. Grantseekers should keep in mind that DRK is a member of Big Bang Philanthropy, which is an organization of like-minded funders that have banded together to address the most pervasive problems facing the world’s vulnerable populations.
Grants for global development frequently focus on poverty alleviation, education, access to healthcare, and economic empowerment. Global grantmaking prioritizes organizations serving or based in Africa, Europe, India, Latin America, and the United States.
This funder makes grants for work that addresses issues facing refugees at the global level through its social justice theme, often investing in refugee assistance. Grants for the environment and climate change are just as broad, as well as grants for food and agriculture. Despite this funder’s broad approach to funding and lack of strategy focused on specific areas of grantmaking,
Important Grant Details:
DRK does not award many grants annually, so grantees can expect heavy competition. Most grants range from $50,000 to $300,000.
In addition, DRK Foundation typically awards grants on a multi-year basis since the foundation views this as a “[c]ritical success factor in helping these great organizations achieve scale.” In fact, DRK Foundation also offers “[r]igorous and unrelenting on-going support” to its grantees, which includes taking a seat on their boards, networking, and facilitating meetings with DRK contacts.
Grantseekers can apply to the DRK Foundation at any time through its online application system.
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