Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman is a private foundation based in Brattleboro, Vermont. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including groups working in human rights, refugee support, legal advocacy, abortion access, documentary media, and community land trusts.
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman at a glance
In short: Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman gave $31K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state New York. 62% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,058
- +18.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,389
- -9.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,250
- Total assets
- $36,567
- +215.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (8 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (36% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing lists written requests describing the charitable program as the form and materials, and names Sara P Suchman as the contact for requests.
- Contact
Application contact: Sara P Suchman
Mailing address: 51A Thayer Ridge Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone: (203) 241-1432
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Jewish World Service ($4K). Together the top 10 received $27K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 50 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares were in New York (36%), North Carolina (14%), and Illinois (14%), followed by Vermont (10%) and Maryland (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 13 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 191% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $31K (2022). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Jewish World Service NY, NY | FinancialSupport | $3,500 |
| National Immigrant Justice Center Chicago, IL | FinancialSupport | $3,250 |
| American Friends of Combatants for Peace NY, NY | Financial Support | $3,250 |
| Other Small Donations - Avail Upon Request Brattleboro, VT | FinancialSupport | $3,058 |
| Hias Silver Spring, MD | Financial Support | $3,000 |
| Center for Constitutional Rights New York, NY | FinancialSupport | $2,250 |
| Carolina Abortion Fund Raleigh, NC | FinancialSupport | $2,250 |
| Southern Documentary Fund Burlington, NC | FinancialSupport | $2,250 |
| Doctors without Borders New York, NY | Financial Support | $2,250 |
| Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust Roxbury, MA | FinancialSupport | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman?
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 | $36,567 | $42,837 | $32,717 | $31,058 | 13 | $31,058 | $41,178 | $16,267 |
| 2024 | $11,593 | $30,742 | $27,579 | $26,280 | 10 | $26,280 | $29,443 | $15,271 |
| 2023 | $13,905 | $5,277 | $14,002 | $12,277 | 7 | $12,277 | $3,552 | $15,909 |
| 2022 | $20,959 | $31,831 | $32,956 | $31,360 | 11 | $31,360 | $30,235 | $16,757 |
| 2021 | $22,523 | $23,456 | $27,630 | $26,170 | 9 | $26,170 | $21,996 | $16,513 |
| 2020 | $15,009 | $16,776 | $15,861 | $14,220 | 8 | — | $15,135 | $15,481 |
| 2019 | $8,499 | $20,647 | $18,869 | $17,295 | 9 | — | $19,073 | $14,906 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman reported a distributable amount of $16K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. American Jewish World Service describes its work as advancing human rights and ending poverty in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. HIAS describes its mission as welcoming and supporting forcibly displaced people. The Center for Constitutional Rights says it works to advance and protect constitutional and human rights and to support social justice movements. The Southern Documentary Fund describes itself as cultivating documentary media made in or about the South. The Carolina Abortion Fund says it provides financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortions. The Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust describes work with partners to stabilize neighborhoods and help residents remain in their homes.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $31,058. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $3,500, with a median of $2,250. Among the largest were $3,500 to American Jewish World Service; $3,250 to the National Immigrant Justice Center and $3,250 to American Friends of Combatants for Peace; and $3,000 to HIAS. Other listed grants included $2,250 each to the Center for Constitutional Rights, Carolina Abortion Fund, Southern Documentary Fund, and Doctors Without Borders, and $2,000 each to Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sara P Suchman as president, Mark C Suchman as secretary-treasurer, and Isaiah T Suchman as vice president.
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman is led by Sara P Suchman, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sara P Suchman
President
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark C Suchman
Secr Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Isaiah T Suchman
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Annette Markely (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman
How much does Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman give each year?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman gave $31K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $26K across 10 grants.
What is Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's typical grant size?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's median grant in 2025 was $2,250, and its average grant was $2,389, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman that year got $2K on average.
Where does Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman give grants?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's top state is New York, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (14%) and Illinois (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were NY, NY (2 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "FinancialSupport" (8 grants) and "Financial Support" (5 grants).
Who are Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's largest grantees?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's largest 2025 grantees include American Jewish World Service ($3,500), National Immigrant Justice Center ($3,250) and American Friends of Combatants for Peace ($3,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman reported $37K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. American Jewish World Service describes its work as advancing human rights and ending poverty in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's EIN?
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6134569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Vermont
Vermont Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund supports work on democracy, sustainable development and climate, and peacebuilding, as well as place-based efforts in China, Central America, and the Western Balkans and arts and culture in New York City. Its 2024 grants had a median of $60,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests, but rarely funds them—fewer than 1 percent result in funding.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
646
Total Given
$60.4M
LPL Financial Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Assets
$7.8M
Grants
55
Total Given
$2.3M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
NEO Philanthropy Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy funds social-justice movements and community organizations, including work on immigration, democracy, reproductive, racial and climate justice, and LGBTQ rights. In 2024, its 558 grants ranged from $5,000 to $23.58 million, with a median of $50,000; grants went mainly to Washington state, Washington, DC, North Carolina, California, and New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; potential grantees are generally invited to apply.
Assets
$185.6M
Grants
558
Total Given
$103.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Vermont
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman'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.
Melvin and Sylvia Kafka Foundation co Sara Suchman down — hundreds of funders to go?