Title

Description The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage organizations working on innovative, scalable solutions to critical social and environmental challenges affecting underserved communities. DRK focuses on supporting organizations that are problem-first, systems-thinking, scalable, geographically aligned, independent entities, financially sustainable, and able to demonstrate measurable evidence of impact. DRK Foundation supports its grantees and investees through a combination of capacity, capital, and community. At the core of its model is deep operational and technical support, which includes a dedicated hands-on Board service role and specialist capacity-building resources across leadership and board development, organizational and fundraising capacity building, financial sustainability, and scaling strategy thinking. One of DRK’s senior team members typically takes a board service role for a three-year period, offering guidance and often engaging in weekly conversations to help the organization navigate its path to scale. The broader DRK portfolio support team also provides targeted assistance, such as refining financial models, establishing a talent strategy, or enhancing fundraising capacity, with total in-kind support valued at up to $500,000 USD. In addition to capacity support, DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, typically in multiple tranches. The structure and timing of funding are determined collaboratively with the organization during the closing process. Beyond direct support, DRK fosters community by convening its portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating both in-person and digital connections through small meetings, large gatherings, and a three-day annual portfolio retreat. DRK Foundation primarily funds organizations at the early stage, defined as post-pilot and pre-scale, where the program, product, or service is already in use and showing early impact on the intended beneficiaries. Organizations are typically two to five years old, though younger or older entities may also be considered. For for-profit organizations, DRK usually supports Seed to Series A ventures, generally refraining from leading investment rounds or participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.

Link

Current Logo Update Logo Leave empty to keep current logo