The Klarman Family Foundation

The Klarman Family Foundation seeks to identify areas of unmet need and to advance solutions to addressing them. Their intention as a Foundation is to help make measurable progress in improving the lives of others. Founded in 1990, The Klarman Family Foundation granted approximately $82 million in 2021 to advance its philanthropic interests.

Their work is guided by the following principles and values:

• Approaching their work with a seriousness of purpose and evaluative rigor, and also with an openness to tackle issues in new ways.
• Approaching their work with a sense of urgency and willingness to invest based on the opportunities to make a difference, rather than the limits of an annual grantmaking budget.
• A belief that the preservation of democratic norms lies at the core of all of their work and that a healthy democracy is crucial to all the Foundation seeks to achieve.
• A commitment to acting in partnership with other funders as opportunities to learn and leverage greater impact.
• Applying what they learn to improve their philanthropic practices and outcomes.

The Foundation’s grantmaking spans several areas of interest:

• Ensuring a healthy democracy.
• Expanding access to vital services and enrichment opportunities in Greater Boston and throughout Massachusetts.
• Advancing understanding of the biological basis of health and illness.
• Supporting the global Jewish community and Israel.

These issues are complicated, requiring new and creative thinking and persistence over time. With a commitment to learning and assessing impact, these categories and strategies may evolve, but the dedication to applying best practices in philanthropy will remain unchanged.