Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation is a global venture philanthropy firm that identifies, funds, and supports early-stage, high-impact social enterprises tackling complex social and environmental problems. The foundation provides unrestricted capital—typically $300,000 over three years—along with rigorous, ongoing strategic support from its leadership team, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable organizations and scale their solutions for maximum impact. Their model is akin to venture capital, but for non-profit and for-profit social ventures aiming for profound societal change rather than financial return to DRK itself. Since its inception in 2002, DRK has invested in over 200 organizations, representing some of the most exciting new initiatives in the social sector. With the support of 50 donor partners, the foundation is currently deploying its fourth fund: approximately $85 million dedicated to supporting the next generation of 100 social entrepreneurs who will change the world. The foundation's portfolio includes organizations working both domestically and internationally, providing critical access to healthcare, education, food security, social justice, water and sanitation, transparency and accountability, and shelter. The foundation's approach is to find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with capacity, capital, and community. DRK offers deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy. This comprehensive support enables social enterprises to scale their impact and address some of society's most pressing challenges effectively.

Innovative solutions to complex social and environmental problems, Scalable and impactful business models, Strong leadership teams with a clear vision for growth