Hermann Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker St. Louis, MO EIN: 43-1616989

The Hermann Family Foundation is a private foundation based in an individual recipient, Missouri. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations in several states, with most grant dollars going to Missouri recipients.

Hermann Family Foundation at a glance

In short: Hermann Family Foundation gave $2.9M across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $62K), mostly in Missouri. 44% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$2,867,352
+40.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
46
+4.5% vs 2023
Average grant
$62,334
+34.3% vs 2023
Median grant
$4,500
Total assets
$67,519,968
+40.0% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
44% first-time grantees (17 of 39, 2024)
Primary geography
Missouri (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Hermann Family Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
Yes
How to Apply

The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a written application. Applicants should provide information about their programs, budget, and requested amount.

Contact

Application contact: Shari Mcvey
Mailing address: 7701 Forsyth Blvd Suite 1000, St Louis, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 863-9200
Email: smcvey@hermcap.com

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Hermann Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

St Louis Children's Hospital Foundation: $1.0MSt Louis Children's HospitalFoundation$1.0MWashington University: $1.0MWashington University$1.0MThe Cleveland Clinic Foundation: $200KThe Cleveland ClinicFoundation$200KMcLaren Northern Michigan Foundation: $120KMcLaren Northern MichiganFoundation$120KMissouri Botanical Garden: $100KMissouri Botanical Garden$100KUnited Way of Greater St Louis: $100KUnited Way of Greater St Louis$100KLaguna Blanca School: $25K across 3 grantsLaguna Blanca School$25K · 3 grantsSanta Barbara Bowl Foundation: $25KSanta Barbara Bowl Foundation$25KMac Sports FOUNDATION(IN-Kind Donation): $23KMac Sports FOUNDATION(IN-KindDonation)$23KMac Sports Foundation: $15K across 3 grantsMac Sports Foundation$15K · 3 grants

The largest 2024 recipient was St Louis Children's Hospital Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.

Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($161,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

243 grants across all recorded years

211<$50K$50–100K24$100–250K3$250–500K1$500K–1M3$1–5M1$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 211 grants of 243 (87%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to Missouri recipients, 7% to Ohio, 4% to Michigan, and 3% to California; New York accounted for 0%. The largest awards were to Missouri organizations, alongside grants to recipients in Ohio, Michigan, and California.

Grant Distribution by State

21states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.

Cities

Saint LouisSanta BarbaraNew YorkPalm BeachPetoskyBooneMontecitoPrincetonSt CharlesWashingtonClevelandDallasFlorissantGlenviewHarbor SpringsWatertownAlexandriaBallwinDenverNew Haven

Is Hermann Family Foundation open to new grantees?

44%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 17 of 39 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $127K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $9K repeat.

  • 49% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 66% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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

$0$2.5M$5M$7.5M$10M37 grants2020 65 grants2021 51 grants2022 44 grants2023 46 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $782K (2020) to $8.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $2.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
St Louis Children's Hospital Foundation St. Louis, MOEstablishing / operating the center for child and family development$1,000,000
Washington University St. Louis, MOResearch Fund for Small Fiber Neuropathy$1,000,000
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OHSupport of cardiovascular imaging and tricuspid valve research projects$200,000
2 grants to individuals Recipients not named —$161,000
McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Petosky, MIBuilding the Future of Healthcare Campaign$120,000
Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MOVisitor Center Campaign$100,000
United Way of Greater St Louis St. Louis, MOGeneral Support$100,000
Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Santa Barbara, CAFounders Program Campaign$25,000
Mac Sports FOUNDATION(IN-Kind Donation) St. Louis, MOIn-Kind Donation$22,917
Laguna Blanca School Santa Barbara, CALaguna Fund$16,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$67,519,968$22,787,076$3,426,991$2,867,35246$2,867,352$11,233,411$3,332,065
2023$48,212,546$4,542,860$2,552,324$2,042,01944$2,042,322$864,133$2,789,460
2022$50,317,718$7,150,356$4,055,387$3,648,17251$3,648,172$1,860,710$2,725,783
2021$60,142,710$16,411,582$8,885,809$8,537,46365$8,537,463$8,794,712$2,804,435
2020$55,102,382$12,765,501$1,014,733$782,46237—$1,761,283$2,016,194

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hermann Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including pediatric care, medical research, education, arts and cultural programming, and community services.

Grantees describe their work in their own terms. An individual recipient Children’s Hospital Foundation says it supports the hospital’s pediatric-care mission, including patient and family experience and access to care. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation describes its work as caring for life, researching for health, and educating those who serve. Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation says it manages and renovates the venue and presents music and performing arts; Laguna Blanca School describes its purpose as operating and providing instruction at a school. United Way of an individual recipient says it mobilizes the community to help people live their best possible lives.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $2,867,352. Grant amounts ranged from $10 to $1,000,000, with a median of $4,500. Its largest listed awards were $1,000,000 each to an individual recipient Children’s Hospital Foundation for establishing or operating the Center for Child and Family Development, and to Washington University for a research fund for small fiber neuropathy. Other notable awards included $200,000 to The Cleveland Clinic Foundation for cardiovascular imaging and tricuspid valve research projects, $160,000 to the University of Missouri–an individual recipient for the World Ecology Award Endowment, and $120,000 to McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation for its Building the Future of Healthcare campaign.

The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It allows church organizations, government organizations, and organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) to submit written funding requests. Applicants are asked to include information about their programs, budget, and amount requested. Awards are restricted to organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3); political donations are not allowed.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Signa Hermann, Robert R. Hermann Jr., Elizabeth Hermann Petersen, Robert Hermann III, and Merrill Hermann as directors. Heather Damalas is listed as secretary/treasurer.

Hermann Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Elizabeth Hermann Petersen

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Merrill Hermann

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Hermann III

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert R. Hermann Jr.

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Signa Hermann

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Heather Damalas

    Secretary & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Hermann Family Foundation

How much does Hermann Family Foundation give each year?

Hermann Family Foundation gave $2.9M across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 44 grants.

What is Hermann Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Hermann Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $4,500, and its average grant was $62,334, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hermann Family Foundation that year got $4K on average.

Where does Hermann Family Foundation give grants?

Hermann Family Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (22 grants), Santa Barbara, CA (8 grants) and Boone, IA (2 grants).

Does Hermann Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 50% of Hermann Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Hermann Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Hermann Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include St Louis Children's Hospital Foundation ($1,000,000), Washington University ($1,000,000) and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($161,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Hermann Family Foundation?

Hermann Family Foundation reported $67.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Hermann Family Foundation fund?

The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including pediatric care, medical research, education, arts and cultural programming, and community services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Hermann Family Foundation?

The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a written application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Hermann Family Foundation's EIN?

Hermann Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1616989. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Hermann Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

Yes, 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 October 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 4, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Hermann Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hermann-family-foundation-morg_2c4f704f90574761920368aba4154090

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431616989_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Hermann Family Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/hermann-family-foundation-morg_2c4f704f90574761920368aba4154090},
  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 Hermann Family 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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