Investing in extraordinary individuals creating transformative change

Supporting visionaries advancing equity,

human rights, democratic values and

environmental conservation.

Our Mission and Vision

Founded in 2021, the Alfred Kobacker & Elizabeth Trimbach Fund is a nimble donor-advised fund that deploys capital with urgency and trust to support visionary individuals tackling humanity’s most pressing existential threats.

We carry forward the Kobacker family’s long tradition of philanthropy and are one of three active family-established funds.

Underlying all our commitments is a belief in the importance of morality in public life—in business, the professions, and civic institutions.

Alfred Kobacker & Elizabeth Trimbach

Featured Initiatives

For Nature Funds

Guiding Philosophy: Give It All Now

How To Stop A Nuclear War

The Fund’s dedication to supporting exceptional individuals is exemplified by our landmark grant to National Geographic’s For Nature project. This grant supports marine biologist Callie Veelenturf in her groundbreaking work advancing conservation efforts and advocating for the rights of nature. It also includes the establishment of a foundation in her name to ensure long-term backing for her mission. Together, these efforts represent the largest commitments in the Fund’s history.

Guiding Philosophy: Give It All Now

How To Stop A Nuclear War

The Fund’s support for bold truth-telling is reflected in our backing of How to Stop a Nuclear War, an upcoming documentary by journalist and filmmaker Paul Jay, based on Daniel Ellsberg’s The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner and narrated by Emma Thompson. Co-produced by Alfred Kobacker and supported by The AKET Fund, the film reveals how U.S. nuclear policy was shaped by secrecy and deception, and explores what can be done today to reduce the threat.

Guiding Philosophy: Give It All Now

"Give It All Now" is a call to act with urgency in the face of accelerating global crises. Instead of preserving capital for a future that may not arrive, we are intentionally spending down our fund, trusting individuals over institutions, removing bureaucratic friction, and making bold, concentrated bets on people who can truly shift paradigms.

We reject the default caution and delay that dominate philanthropy. Instead we ask: If you were to give it all now, who would you trust to make the difference?

Our Approach

We focus our larger grants on supporting exceptional individuals of unusually high potential—visionaries who are extraordinary within their fields, regardless of institutional affiliations. We look to invest in remarkable people whose talent, vision, and commitment promise transformative impact.

Operating with priorities of flexibility and simplicity, we seek opportunities where our resources can create meaningful impact in areas often overlooked by larger philanthropic institutions.

Areas of Support

Environmental Conservation

Democratic Values & Voter Education

Environmental Conservation

Supporting individuals advancing the protection, restoration, and long-term stewardship of the natural world.

Human Rights

Democratic Values & Voter Education

Environmental Conservation

Investing in efforts that defend human dignity, equity, and fundamental rights in the face of injustice and abuse.

Democratic Values & Voter Education

Strengthening democratic institutions and informed civic participation through education, transparency and accountability.

Documentary Films

Not-for-Profit Healthcare

Democratic Values & Voter Education

Supporting filmmakers whose work illuminates critical social, political, and moral issues for broad public understanding.

Nuclear Risk Reduction

Not-for-Profit Healthcare

Advancing initiatives that expose, challenge, and reduce the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and policy decisions.

Not-for-Profit Healthcare

Supporting mission-driven healthcare efforts that prioritize patient well-being, access, and ethical care over profit.

Information for Grantseekers

The Fund does not solicit or encourage requests for grants. However, we do not ignore legitimate expressions of need. We are open to supporting local and urgent causes, though we limit these gifts in both number and scale.

What We Look For

Exceptional individuals over institutions. We invest in remarkable people whose talent, vision, and commitment promise transformative impact, regardless of institutional affiliations.
Alignment with our priorities. Equity, human rights, democratic values, environmental conservation, and morality in public life.
Opportunities for meaningful impact. We look for areas often overlooked by larger philanthropic institutions.

What We Generally Do Not Fund

The Fund does not generally consider organizational appeals or requests for general operating support.

Submitting a Request

We operate informally and value efficiency. There is no formal application. If you believe your work aligns with our mission, please send us an email that provides everything necessary for us to understand the need and answer our questions without having to ask them.

Tell us who you are, what you're trying to accomplish, why it matters, and how support from the Fund would help. Be thorough, but be concise.

Send inquiries to: alfred@aketfund.org

Our Partners

The AKET Fund is a donor-advised fund of The Columbus Foundation, one of the nation's leading community foundations.

The Fund also works with fiscal sponsors to support projects and individuals. We gratefully acknowledge our partnerships with Falmouth Together We Can, Inc., The Reading Room CLE and Entertainment 2 Affect Change.

Support the Fund

Contributions to The Alfred Kobacker & Elizabeth Trimbach Fund help us continue supporting exceptional individuals and initiatives creating meaningful change in the world.

The Fund is a donor-advised fund held at The Columbus Foundation, one of the nation's leading community foundations. Gifts of any size are welcome and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

To make a contribution to the AKET Fund, please visit The Columbus Foundation's giving page.

Give through the Columbus Foundation

Contact Us

The Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund