Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Bethesda, MD EIN: 81-2972734

The Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. Its 2025 filing reports 11 grants totaling $100,000 to charitable organizations.

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation at a glance

In short: Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation gave $100K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$100,000
+11.1% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
11
+22.2% vs 2024
Average grant
$9,091
-9.1% vs 2024
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$1,989,117
-1.5% vs 2024
Primary geography
Maryland (57% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

How to apply to Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 6500 Rock Spring Drive 200, Bethesda, MD 20817
Phone: (301) 299-5861

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

Who Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Suburban Hospital Foundation: $50KSuburban Hospital Foundation$50KThe International Performing Arts Foundation: $10KThe International PerformingArts Foundation$10KBrandeis National Committee: $5KBrandeis National Committee$5KFriends of the Israel Defense Forces: $5KFriends of the Israel DefenseForces$5KJewish Social Service Agency: $5KJewish Social Service Agency$5KStudio Theatre: $5KStudio Theatre$5KWounded Warrior Project: $5KWounded Warrior Project$5KJRA Craft: $5KJRA Craft$5KPBS Foundation: $5KPBS Foundation$5KHumane Rescue Alliance: $3KHumane Rescue Alliance$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Suburban Hospital Foundation ($50K). Together the top 10 received $98K.

Grant Size Distribution

29 grants across all recorded years

26<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 29 (90%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland (57%), the District of Columbia (12%), New Hampshire (10%), Massachusetts (5%), and New York (5%).

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonRyeBethesdaJacksonvilleNew YorkRockvilleWalthamArlingtonPotomac

How Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation gives

  • 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 1233% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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

$0$50K$100K$150K1 grant2019 1 grant2020 1 grant2021 1 grant2022 7 grants2023 9 grants2024 11 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2019) to $115K (2023). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $100K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Suburban Hospital Foundation Bethesda, MDEmergency Department Modernization and Nursing Excellence$50,000
The International Performing Arts Foundation Rye, NHTo establish an in-residence program in cuba for young dancers with limited means from the around the world.$10,000
Brandeis National Committee Waltham, MAAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces New York, NYAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
Jewish Social Service Agency Rockville, MDAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
Studio Theatre Washington, DCAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
Wounded Warrior Project Jacksonville, FLAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
JRA Craft Washington, DCAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
PBS Foundation Arlington, VAAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$5,000
Humane Rescue Alliance Washington, DCAssist Organization with Its Stated Goal.$2,500
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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
2025$1,989,117$84,666$115,287$100,00011$106,890$77,676$100,133
2024$2,019,738$90,493$101,501$90,0009$93,041$83,932$100,726
2023$2,030,746$607,041$122,371$115,0007$118,610$67,274$97,455
2022$1,546,076$1,504,835$9,500$7,5001$9,500$4,835$11,557
2021$50,741$6$6,000$4,0001$6,000$6$2,692
2020$56,735$11$3,700$2,0001—$11$2,899
2019$60,424$25$3,600$2,0001—$25$3,063

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation reported a distributable amount of $100K 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 included support for a hospital foundation, arts and public broadcasting organizations, veterans services, animal protection, and other charitable organizations. These examples describe the recipients, not a stated mission of the foundation. For example, Suburban Hospital Foundation says it raises and distributes philanthropic gifts for the programs and priorities of Suburban Hospital; PBS Foundation says it seeks philanthropic support for public broadcasting; and Wounded Warrior Project says it focuses on the well-being of post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $100,000. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000, with a median grant of $5,000. The largest was $50,000 to Suburban Hospital Foundation for emergency department modernization and nursing excellence. Other listed grants included $10,000 to The International Performing Arts Foundation for an in-residence program in Cuba for young dancers with limited means, and $5,000 each to Brandeis National Committee, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Jewish Social Service Agency, Studio Theatre, Wounded Warrior Project, JRA Craft, and PBS Foundation.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Stuart Schooler as president; Richard Hill as vice president and treasurer; and Barbara Berlin and Gregory Davis as trustees.

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation is led by Stuart Schooler, President on every filing since 2019; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Stuart Schooler

    President

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2025)

  • Barbara Berlin

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    $500 (2025)

  • Gregory Davis

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    0.5 hrs/week

    $500 (2025)

  • Richard Hill

    Vice President - Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    $2K (2025)

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Richard Hill — VP - Treasurer: $2KRichard HillVP - Treasurer$2KStuart Schooler — President: $1KStuart SchoolerPresident$1KBarbara Berlin — Trustee: $500Barbara BerlinTrustee$500Gregory Davis — Trustee: $500Gregory DavisTrustee$500

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2K, to Richard Hill (VP - Treasurer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation

How much does Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation give each year?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation gave $100K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $90K across 9 grants.

What is Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's typical grant size?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,091, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation give grants?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation gives mostly in Maryland: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (13%) and New Hampshire (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants).

Does Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assist Organization with Its Stated Goal." (9 grants).

Who are Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's largest grantees?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Suburban Hospital Foundation ($50,000), The International Performing Arts Foundation ($10,000) and Brandeis National Committee ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $107K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $100K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for a hospital foundation, arts and public broadcasting organizations, veterans services, animal protection, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's EIN?

Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2972734. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation 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

(8)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 30, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 3, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 18, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 31, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 22, 2025)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 6, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sandra-and-gilbert-oken-foundation-morg_fcfd278d571a495bb28902b98701be83

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_812972734_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/sandra-and-gilbert-oken-foundation-morg_fcfd278d571a495bb28902b98701be83},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Sandra and Gilbert Oken 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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