Michael T Sherman Foundation

BOSTON, MA EIN: 27-3842131

The Michael T Sherman Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2011 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation operates as a grantmaking entity with assets exceeding $3 million and focuses its philanthropic efforts across multiple U.S. cities and states.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.5M

+10.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$454K

+51.3% YoY

Grant Count

26

+4.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$17K

+45.5% YoY

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

Grantmaking

The foundation makes approximately 25 grants annually, with a median grant size of $12,000 and a grant range between $2,000 and $24,000. Recent grantees have included Perkins School for the Blind ($24,000), Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund ($20,000), and Sierra Club Foundation ($20,000).

Grant Range

of $12,000 and a grant range between $2,000 and $24,000. Recent grantees have included Perkins School for the Blind ($24,000), Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund ($20,000), and Sierra Club Foundation ($20,000).

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. cities and states, including Atlanta, Boston, New York, and San Francisco. Geographic focus areas also extend to California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Grant Distribution by State

14states
+6 more states

Cities

AtlantaBostonBrightonCharlestownDanversEast BridgewaterMcleanMiamiNew YorkOklahoma CityPhoenixPortlandPrincetonSan FranciscoSeattleSt LouisWashingtonWaterburyWatertownWinchester

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets: $3.49 million (2024); $3.17 million (2023)

Annual Giving: Approximately $300,000 annually

Revenue: $1.05 million (2024); $396,759 (2023)

Expenses: $528,000 (2024); $360,357 (2023)

Liabilities: $0 (2024)

Giving Rate: 9.5% of assets

The foundation reported total grants, contributions, and other revenue of $250,000 in 2023, representing a significant increase from $0 in 2022.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$289K$579K$868K$1M201920202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$3,493,986$3,169,650$3,136,572
Revenue$1,052,307$396,759$240,008
Expenses$528,349$360,357$338,040
Qualifying Distributions$465,588$308,935$284,216
Net Investment Income$213,312$95,948$164,524
Distributable Amount$323,611$254,341$253,763

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$113K$227K$340K$454K20 grants201924 grants202023 grants202122 grants202225 grants202326 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK…$30KPERKINS SCHOOL FOR THE B…$30KCOMPASS WORKING CAPITAL$27KEVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY…$25KMULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARC…$25KSIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION$25KASPCA$20KFRANCISCAN HOSPITAL FOR …$20KHABITAT FOR HUMANITY INT…$20KMASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HO…$20K

Grant Size Distribution

120 grants across all recorded years

120<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is managed by a board of trustees that includes:

  • Michael T. Sherman (serves without compensation)
  • Arthur B. Page
  • Nancy B. Gardiner
  • Mark McCloskey
  • Lee Bodock

Legal and administrative matters are handled through Hemenway & Barnes LLP.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

ARTHUR B PAGETRUSTEE$16KNANCY B GARDINERTRUSTEE$16KMARK MCCLOSKEYTRUSTEE$1KLEE BODOCKTRUSTEE$1K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ARTHUR B PAGETRUSTEE0.5$16,198
NANCY B GARDINERTRUSTEE0.1$16,197
MICHAEL T SHERMANTRUSTEE0.5
MARK MCCLOSKEYTRUSTEE0.2$1,000
LEE BODOCKTRUSTEE0.2$1,000

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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