Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation
The Leonard and Diane Sherman Family is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2000, it is a supporting organization of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and makes grants to charitable organizations that carry out the Federation’s purposes.
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation gave $764K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), top state Illinois. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $764,000
- -25.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $44,941
- -34.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $43,595,301
- +5.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (3 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (48% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 30 South Wells Street 4049, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 357-4790
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($149K). Together the top 10 received $680K.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 67 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Illinois (48%), New York (32%), New Hampshire (7%), Pennsylvania (5%), and California (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 17 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $36K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 $450K (2020) to $1.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $764K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $148,500 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $130,500 |
| American Society for Technion - Israel Institute for Technology New York, NY | General Operating Support | $118,000 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation New York, NY | General Operating Support | $60,000 |
| Israel Policy Forum Inc New York, NH | General Operating Support | $51,800 |
| Council for Jewish Elderly (CJE Seniorlife) Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth Leisrael Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $46,000 |
| American Friends of the Heschel Center Pittsburgh, PA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Secure Community Network Inc Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Social Good Fund Richmond, CA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,595,301 | $98,052 | $945,697 | $764,000 | 17 | $82,671 |
| 2024 | $41,245,999 | $23,334 | $1,206,737 | $1,030,300 | 15 | $-5,041 |
| 2023 | $37,468,134 | $230,988 | $1,736,877 | $1,481,300 | 16 | $222,643 |
| 2022 | $35,886,447 | $804,063 | $1,832,504 | $1,736,320 | 13 | $67,743 |
| 2021 | $39,724,872 | $85,695 | $637,017 | $591,500 | 6 | $81,277 |
| 2020 | $30,957,229 | $531,669 | $497,554 | $449,500 | 8 | $61,669 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster, promote, support, develop, encourage, and maintain the broad charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the foundation. It says it makes grants to organizations that are tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3) and meet the guidelines of the Federation’s charter and the foundation’s bylaws.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported activities. Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago describes its work as providing resources for food, refuge, health care, education, and emergency assistance. Birthright Israel Foundation says it raises funds to support educational trips to Israel for young Jewish adults. Secure Community Network describes work in community security, including information sharing, training, and incident response. Other grantees describe work in interfaith learning and action (Abrahamic House), Shabbat dinners for Jewish young adults (OneTable), and pluralistic values in American institutions (Interfaith America).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $764,000. Grant amounts ranged from $8,200 to $148,500, with a median grant of $25,000. The listed largest grants were:
The foundation states that staff conduct due diligence on organizations seeking grants and review grant compliance annually.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David A. Sherman as president; Miriam Sherman as vice president; David S. Rosen as treasurer; Eric DeVir as secretary; and James A. Pinkston as assistant treasurer. Directors listed were Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, David T. Brown, Mark Gaines (part year), Max Schrayer, and Larry H. Pachter (part year).
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation is led by David A. Sherman, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David A. Sherman
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David T. Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry H. Pachter
Director -
Director → Director -, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Max Schrayer
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven B. Nasatir
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Gaines
Director -
Director → Director -, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S. Rosen
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Devir
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A. Pinkston
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miriam Sherman
Vice President
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Chiswick
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Leonard Sherman (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Melvin Bloom (2020–2021) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation
How much does Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation give each year?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation gave $764K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 15 grants.
What is Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $44,941, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation give grants?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (32%) and New Hampshire (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($148,500), Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago ($130,500) and American Society for Technion - Israel Institute for Technology ($118,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation reported $43.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $98K.
What does Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster, promote, support, develop, encourage, and maintain the broad charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's EIN?
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4345181. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
The Shimon Ben Joseph Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The foundation supports Jewish education, learning, and talent development for young people and families, including established programs and emerging approaches. Its 2024 grants had a median of $49,000, with awards ranging from $1,800 to $4 million, and it primarily funds U.S.-based work that benefits U.S. Jewish youth or educators. It funds preselected organizations by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
264
Total Given
$63.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/leonard-and-diane-sherman-family-foundation-morg_132a42816e594aaca89be9abdf7c1a11
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364345181_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/leonard-and-diane-sherman-family-foundation-morg_132a42816e594aaca89be9abdf7c1a11},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 Leonard and Diane Sherman 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.
Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?