#United States #New York #Social Justice #J.M. Kaplan Fund #Innovation Prize

J.M. Kaplan Fund Celebrates a Decade of Innovation with 2025 Prize Winners

On November 20, 2025, the J.M. Kaplan Fund unveiled the winners of its prestigious J.M.K. Innovation Prize, marking an exciting milestone: a decade of supporting groundbreaking projects aimed at addressing pressing social and environmental challenges. This year, the award received a remarkable 3,790 applications, representing an 18% increase from the previous selection cycle. The impressive surge not only signifies the growing need for early-stage philanthropic support but also highlights a vibrant wave of creativity and determination among individuals and organizations across the nation.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize has been invaluable in providing unrestricted funding and additional resources to innovators tackling some of the most urgent issues of our time, including social justice, environmental sustainability, and heritage conservation. Julia Bator, Executive Director of the J.M. Kaplan Fund, emphasized the importance of the prize during this critical moment in history, stating, "At a critical moment in our nation's history, the J.M.K. Innovation Prize reminds us that progress often starts with people who see a problem and decide to do something about it."

This year’s awardees exemplify the spirit of civic courage and ingenuity necessary for creating impactful change in their communities. The ten winners include:

• - Better Data Center Project – Catherine Casomar and Sarah Friedman
• - Center for Land Economics – Greg Miller
• - Entry Points – Kyle Daniel-Bey and Jonathan Rajewski
• - Plantaer – Manuel Benitez Ruiz
• - Redemption Earned – Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb
• - Rooted Futures Lab – Sanjana Paul
• - South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance – Sarah Kills In Water and Rhea Waldman
• - TransYOUniting – Dena Stanley
• - United Stateless – Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough
• - Unmio – Jesus Torres

Each organization will receive $150,000 in unrestricted funding over three years, supplemented by $25,000 for technical assistance. The additional support extends beyond financial resources; awardees will also gain access to strategic guidance, peer learning opportunities, and annual gatherings with fellow innovators. The J.M. Kaplan Fund aims to transform the way philanthropy drives social change, believing that fostering creativity and courage is its highest calling.

In this cycle, the selection process involved a record number of 568 volunteers, including nonprofit professionals and academics, who tirelessly evaluated the applications. This rigorous review process ensured that each proposal received careful consideration, with multiple evaluations contributing to the final selection of the ten winners.

Peter W. Davidson, Chairman of the J.M. Kaplan Fund Board of Trustees, remarked, "The past decade of the Innovation Prize has deepened our conviction that philanthropy's highest calling is to champion creativity and civic courage. This year's awardees embody that spirit, leading work that strengthens communities, protects our planet, and upholds the ideals that have guided our Fund for four generations."

The collaborative spirit that characterizes the J.M.K. Innovation Prize is reflected in its partnerships with other funders, such as the 1772 Foundation, Burnham Family Foundation, and Trinity Church Wall Street. These partnerships foster a robust network of support for grassroots organizations driving meaningful change in their local contexts.

As we celebrate a decade of innovation facilitated by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the announcement of the 2025 winners serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking solutions to today's pressing social and environmental issues. For more information on the prize winners and their projects, visit JMKFund.org.

The J.M. Kaplan Fund was established in 1945 by Jacob Merrill Kaplan, a notable philanthropist and businessman. Over the years, it has invested more than $300 million in initiatives focused on defending human rights, promoting civil liberties, advancing equality and justice, and enhancing the arts and conservation efforts. Today, the J.M.K. Innovation Prize continues the legacy of impactful giving, ensuring that innovative ideas have the opportunity to flourish and effect change in our world.