Herman Goldman Foundation
The Herman Goldman Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Established in New York City in 1943 by attorney Herman Goldman, it supports charitable causes; the foundation’s website says its board continues to support numerous worthy causes, with emphasis on several program areas.
Herman Goldman Foundation at a glance
In short: Herman Goldman Foundation gave $655K across 84 grants in 2026 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $655,000
- +6.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 84
- +3.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $7,798
- +2.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $12,261,028
- +2.4% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- New York (75% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
How to apply to Herman Goldman Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing says applicants are requested to use the New York/New Jersey Area Common Application Form and need not submit a letter of inquiry first. Proposals must include a copy of the applying organization’s IRS notification of tax-exempt status; grants to individuals are not considered. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. The filing says the foundation does not conduct site visits or in-person interviews before considering requests.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time but are considered only at specific times during the year, according to the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time but are considered only at specific times during the year, according to the 2024…
- Contact
Application contact: Foundation Source
Mailing address: 55 Walls Drive 302, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (212) 461-2132
Website: https://hermangoldmanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Herman Goldman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was John Hart Hunter Educational Fndn Inc ($30K). Together the top 10 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
253 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 249 grants of 253 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipients in New York received 76% of grant dollars, followed by Massachusetts at 9%, Pennsylvania at 3%, and Connecticut and California at 2% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 84 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Herman Goldman Foundation gives
- 77% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving fell 37% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $615K (2024) to $1.2M (2022). In 2026 it made 84 grants totaling $655K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| John Hart Hunter Educational Fndn Inc Lansing, NY | General & Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| Berkshire Theatre Group Inc Pittsfield, MA | BTG 2025 Season | $28,500 |
| Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS Inc New York, NY | Dare to Go Beyond Performing Arts Camp Fund | $25,000 |
| Long Island Cares Inc Hauppauge, NY | General & Unrestricted IN MEMORY OF RICHARD BARON | $25,000 |
| Volunteers of Legal Service Inc New York, NY | VOLS Incarcerated Mothers Law Project (IMLP) | $25,000 |
| LSNY Bronx Corporation New York, NY | Access to education law unit, bronx legal services fund | $20,000 |
| The Bridge Inc New York, NY | Clinical risk management, a part of residential critical care services (CCS) fund | $19,700 |
| Humane Society of Westchester Inc New Rochelle, NY | Feeding Shelter Animals Fund | $15,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY | Transforming the future of geriatrics and palliative care expanding the leap fellowship fund | $15,000 |
| New York Shakespeare Festival New York, NY | 2025 Season of Free Shakespeare in the Park Fund | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $12,261,028 | $1,357,511 | $1,073,729 | $655,000 | 84 | $949,746 | $1,241,173 | $732,180 |
| 2025 | $11,977,246 | $994,061 | $1,036,433 | $615,000 | 81 | $930,089 | $887,529 | $725,681 |
| 2024 | $12,019,618 | $579,452 | $1,114,613 | $615,000 | 84 | $1,007,391 | $479,670 | $686,473 |
| 2023 | $14,011,512 | $820,055 | $1,373,508 | $1,048,000 | 2 | $1,154,049 | $579,152 | $713,829 |
| 2022 | $16,273,316 | $998,070 | $1,383,392 | $1,161,900 | 2 | $1,240,119 | $746,594 | $778,070 |
| 2021 | $16,993,037 | $256,500 | $1,370,258 | $1,118,700 | 2 | — | $74,299 | $816,892 |
| 2020 | $16,298,835 | $1,110,421 | $1,546,712 | $1,118,700 | 2 | — | $806,801 | $812,252 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herman Goldman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $732K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website does not list available programs. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including theatre and arts education, social services, education, animal care, housing, medical humanitarian aid, and civil liberties. These are areas reflected in the recipients’ work, not a stated list of the foundation’s program priorities. For example, Berkshire Theatre Group describes its mission as sustaining, promoting, and producing theatre through performances and educational activities; The Bridge says it offers rehabilitative services to vulnerable New Yorkers; and Hobart and William Smith Colleges says it prepares students to lead lives of consequence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded $615,000 across 81 grants. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 84 grants totaling $655,000.
Among the larger 2025 grants were $30,000 to John Hart Hunter Educational Foundation for general and unrestricted support; $25,000 to Berkshire Theatre Group for its 2024 season; $25,000 to Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS for its Dare 2 Go Beyond Performing Arts Camp Fund; $22,700 to The Bridge for its Critical Care Services Fund; and $20,000 each to Hobart and William Smith Colleges for a scholarship fund and LSNY Bronx Corporation for its Education Law Unit. Other listed grants included $20,000 to New Israel Fund, $15,000 each to Humane Society of Westchester and New York Shakespeare Festival, and $12,500 each to Barrington Stage Company and Médecins Sans Frontières USA.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mel P. Barkan, David A. Brauner, Michael J. Clain, Charles A. Damato, John H. F. Enteman, Donald Gibson, David R. Kay, Alan Michigan, and Alan Nisselson as directors. Brauner and Kay are also listed as vice presidents; Kay as president; and Nisselson as secretary and vice president. Kathleen Roselli is listed as assistant secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Roselli as Chief Administrator and lists Christopher C. Schwabacher, Howard L. Simon, and Roy M. Sparber among staff.
Herman Goldman Foundation is led by David R Kay, Director & President since 2026 (on filings since 2020); all 13 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
David R Kay
Director & President
Director & Vice President → Director, Vice President & President, 2025
Director, Vice President & President → Director & President, 2026
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Alan Michigan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Alan Nisselson
Director & Vice President
Director & Secretary → Director, Secretary & Vice President, 2025
Director, Secretary & Vice President → Director & Vice President, 2026
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Charles A Damato
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Christopher C Schwabacher
Director & Secretary
Director & Treasurer → Director, Treasurer & Secretary, 2025
Director, Treasurer & Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $6K (2026)
David A Brauner
Director & Vice President
President & Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Donald Gibson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Howard L Simon
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
John HF Enteman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Mel P Barkan
Director
Treasurer & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Michael J Clain
Director
Imm Past President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Roy M Sparber
Director
Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2023
Director & President → Director, 2026
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2026)
Kathleen Roselli
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2024
19 hrs/week
$48K (2024) → $49K (2026)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Richard K Baron (2024) — Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Michael L. Goldstein (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $49K, to Kathleen Roselli (Assistant Sec). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Herman Goldman Foundation
How much does Herman Goldman Foundation give each year?
Herman Goldman Foundation gave $655K across 84 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $615K across 81 grants.
What is Herman Goldman Foundation's typical grant size?
Herman Goldman Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,798, across 84 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Herman Goldman Foundation give grants?
Herman Goldman Foundation gives mostly in New York: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (35 grants), Brooklyn, NY (7 grants), Bronx, NY (3 grants) and Pittsfield, MA (2 grants).
Does Herman Goldman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Herman Goldman Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 84) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2025/26 Season Fund" (3 grants).
Who are Herman Goldman Foundation's largest grantees?
Herman Goldman Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include John Hart Hunter Educational Fndn Inc ($30,000), Berkshire Theatre Group Inc ($28,500) and New York Shakespeare Festival ($26,500 across 3 grants), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Herman Goldman Foundation?
Herman Goldman Foundation reported $12.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $950K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $732K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Herman Goldman Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website does not list available programs. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including theatre and arts education, social services, education, animal care, housing, medical humanitarian aid, and civil liberties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Herman Goldman Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Herman Goldman Foundation's EIN?
Herman Goldman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6066039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does Herman Goldman Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Herman Goldman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/herman-goldman-foundation-morg_484b3dbbe8c946c38818aea470f151b0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136066039_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Herman Goldman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/herman-goldman-foundation-morg_484b3dbbe8c946c38818aea470f151b0},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Herman Goldman Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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