Mather Fund
The Richard Mather Fund is a private foundation based in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1958, it operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization focused on supporting nonprofit organizations primarily in the central New York region, with particular emphasis on Syracuse.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.4M
+5.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$261K
+8.0% YoY
Grant Count
27
+3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+4.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mather Fund reported a distributable amount of $237K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation prioritizes support for cultural organizations, including visual arts, theater, music (including opera), and museums. Organizations focused on children and youth, social services, and education also receive funding consideration.
The foundation's grantmaking encompasses:
- Arts and creative endeavors
- Historic buildings and preservation
- Journalism
- Community health
- Human services
- Education
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation utilizes program-related investments (PRIs) as an integral part of its exempt programs to complement and extend its grantmaking activities.
Grant Range
$1,000–$50,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the central New York region, with emphasis on Syracuse. However, grants have also been made to organizations in Florida, including the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $3,449,233
- Total revenues: $498,192
- Total expenses: $311,566
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,449,233 | $3,263,784 | $3,335,529 |
| Revenue | $498,192 | $215,993 | $153,959 |
| Expenses | $311,566 | $287,090 | $275,161 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $261,300 | $242,000 | $230,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $448,014 | $170,927 | $114,008 |
| Distributable Amount | $236,891 | $219,491 | $216,881 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Everson Museum of Art ($40,000), John Hopkins All Childrens Hospital ($30,000), Syracuse Stage ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CAZ CARES CAZENOVIA, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $2,000 |
| CLEAR PATH FOR VETERANS CHITTENANGO, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $7,800 |
| CNY JAZZ CENTRAL SYRACUSE, NY | ARTS | $2,500 |
| CORTLAND REPERATORY THEATRE CORTLAND, NY | ARTS | $10,000 |
| DUNBAR ASSOCIATION SYRACUSE, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $1,500 |
| EMMAUS MINISTRY SYRACUSE, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| ERIE CANAL MUSEUM SYRACUSE, NY | EDUCATION | $7,500 |
| EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART SYRACUSE, NY | ARTS | $40,000 |
| FRANCIS HOUSE SYRACUSE, NY | SOCIAL SERVICES | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY SYRACUSE, NY | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAY M POMEROY ESQUIRE | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ELIZABETH H SCHAEFER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MR S STERLING MCMILLAN III | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| JENNIFER A SCHAEFER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY MARIE HOSMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 440 S Warren St Ste 400 Syracuse, NY 13202-2601
Telephone: 315-233-8223
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mather Fund fund?
The foundation prioritizes support for cultural organizations, including visual arts, theater, music (including opera), and museums. Organizations focused on children and youth, social services, and education also receive funding consideration. The foundation's grantmaking encompasses: • Arts and creative endeavors • Historic buildings and preservation • Journalism • Community health • Human services • Education • Philanthropy and voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from Mather Fund?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: $261,300 • Typical grant range: $1,000–$50,000 • Recent grants made: 22 grants in 2024 **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Everson Museum of Art: $40,000 • Syracuse Stage: $30,000 • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay: $20,000 **Program Approach:** The foundation utilizes program-related investments (PRIs) as an integral part of its exempt programs to complement and extend its grantmaking activities.
Where does Mather Fund make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the central New York region, with emphasis on Syracuse. However, grants have also been made to organizations in Florida, including the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.
What size grants does Mather Fund award?
In 2024, Mather Fund awarded 27 grants totaling $261K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mather Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mather Fund reported a distributable amount of $237K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mather Fund's EIN?
Mather Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 15-6018423. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mather Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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