Scherr Family Foundation
Scherr Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Newton, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $441K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $37K. Net investment income was $75K.
Scherr Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Scherr Family Foundation gave $37K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $36,520
- +292.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,565
- +96.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,750
- Total assets
- $440,616
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Scherr Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dana Farber Cancer Institute ($15K). Together the top 8 received $37K.
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 35 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Scherr Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 92% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2023) to $37K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $37K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| JCC Greater Boston Newton, MA | General Support | $12,800 |
| Ceres Boston, MA | General Support | $2,500 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies Boston, MA | General Support | $2,000 |
| Bob Parson Foundation Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $1,500 |
| The Schwartz Center Boston, MA | General Support | $1,000 |
| 2 Life Communities Brighton, MA | General Support | $1,000 |
| Waterville Adaptive Sports Waterville Valley, NH | General Support | $720 |
Ready to take the next step with Scherr Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $440,616 | $78,496 | $41,916 | $36,520 | 8 | $36,520 | $75,360 | $40,515 |
| 2023 | $408,165 | $18,014 | $15,472 | $9,300 | 4 | $9,300 | $15,878 | $35,359 |
| 2022 | $403,507 | $53,494 | $32,431 | $26,397 | 11 | $26,397 | $50,737 | $33,784 |
| 2021 | $382,416 | $95,960 | $22,460 | $19,040 | 7 | $19,040 | $19,591 | $31,278 |
| 2020 | $342,074 | $41,749 | $15,507 | $9,750 | 5 | — | $19,461 | $24,966 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Scherr Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $41K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Scherr Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elinda S. Scherr
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard A. Scherr
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Scherr Family Foundation
How much does Scherr Family Foundation give each year?
Scherr Family Foundation gave $37K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9K across 4 grants.
What is Scherr Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Scherr Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,750, and its average grant was $4,565, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Scherr Family Foundation give grants?
Scherr Family Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (4 grants).
Does Scherr Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Scherr Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Scherr Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Scherr Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Dana Farber Cancer Institute ($15,000), JCC Greater Boston ($12,800) and Ceres ($2,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Scherr Family Foundation?
Scherr Family Foundation reported $441K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $37K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $41K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Scherr Family Foundation's EIN?
Scherr Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6906119. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Scherr Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Rabe Family Foundation Inc
Chestnut Hill, MA
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including those focused on education, health, food assistance, housing, and animal welfare. In 2025, it made 23 grants totaling $185,800, typically $3,000 (grants ranged from $500 to $36,000), with most funding going to Massachusetts and some to Rhode Island, New York, Illinois, and Washington, DC. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
23
Total Given
$186K
The Plymouth Rock Assurance Foundation
Boston, MA
The Plymouth Rock Assurance Foundation supports nonprofits serving communities in need, with interests in education for underserved students, violence prevention for vulnerable youth, and health and safety advocacy for at-risk populations. Its recent filings show two grants a year totaling about $826,000–$990,000, though the recipients were in South Carolina; its stated community-support region includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$534K
Grants
2
Total Given
$990K
Paul & Elaine Chervinsky
Newton, MA
The foundation supports varied charitable organizations, including senior services, education, zoos, museums, and religious and community groups, with most grant dollars going to Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $200,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
43
Total Given
$406K
James and Ethel Walker Charitable Trust
Auburndale, MA
Assets
$209K
Grants
8
Total Given
$19K
Beth Israel Senior Citizen Housing Inc
Malden, MA
Assets
$4.8M
Grants
8
Total Given
$177K
Nihla & Bob Lapidus Foundation Inc
Ponte Vedra, FL
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
9
Total Given
$85K
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Scherr 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.
Scherr Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?