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 $615K across 81 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $615,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 81
- -3.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,593
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $11,977,246
- -0.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 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 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS Inc ($31K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $219K.
Grant Size Distribution
171 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 171 (96%).
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 2025 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Herman Goldman Foundation gives
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 47% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 128% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $615K (2024) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 81 grants totaling $615K.
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 2024 Season | $25,000 |
| Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS Inc New York, NY | Dare 2 Go Beyond Performing Arts Camp Fund | $25,000 |
| The Bridge Inc New York, NY | Critical Care Services (CCS) Fund | $22,700 |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY | Herman Goldman Foundation Scholarship Fund | $20,000 |
| LSNY Bronx Corporation New York City, NY | Education Law Unit, Bronx Legal Services Fund | $20,000 |
| New Israel Fund New York, NY | Haqel: Defense of Human Rights; Rabbis for Human Rights, Ofek: The Israeli center for public affairs, and It's time Coalition Funds | $20,000 |
| Humane Society of Westchester Inc New Rochelle, NY | Feeding Shelter Animals Fund | $15,000 |
| New York Shakespeare Festival New York, NY | 2024 GO PUBLIC! Fund | $15,000 |
| Barrington Stage CO Inc Pittsfield, MA | General Operating Fund for 2024 Season | $12,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 $726K for 2025 — 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.
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, Vice President & President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); all 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David R Kay
Director, Vice President & President
Secretary & Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
Director & Vice President → Director, Vice President & President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Roy M Sparber
Director & President
Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Alan Michigan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Alan Nisselson
Director, Secretary & Vice President
Director → Secretary & Director, 2023
Director & Secretary → Director, Secretary & Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Charles A Damato
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Christopher C Schwabacher
Director, Treasurer & Secretary
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
Director & Treasurer → Director, Treasurer & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
David A Brauner
Director & Vice President
President & Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Donald Gibson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Howard L Simon
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
John HF Enteman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Mel P Barkan
Director
Treasurer & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Michael J Clain
Director
Imm Past President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Kathleen Roselli
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2024
19 hrs/week
$48K (2024) → $53K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Richard K Baron (2024) — Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Michael L. Goldstein (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $53K, 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 $615K across 81 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $615K across 84 grants.
What is Herman Goldman Foundation's typical grant size?
Herman Goldman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,593, across 81 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Herman Goldman Foundation give grants?
Herman Goldman Foundation gives mostly in New York: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 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 (4 grants), Bronx, NY (3 grants) and Pittsfield, MA (2 grants).
Does Herman Goldman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 23% of Herman Goldman Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024/25 Season Fund" (3 grants).
Who are Herman Goldman Foundation's largest grantees?
Herman Goldman Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS Inc ($30,500 across 2 grants), John Hart Hunter Educational Fndn Inc ($30,000) and Berkshire Theatre Group Inc ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Herman Goldman Foundation?
Herman Goldman Foundation reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $930K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $726K (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 2020–2025.
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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Herman Goldman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Herman Goldman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 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 2026-10-15. 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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