Schuler Education Foundation
The Schuler Education Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1997 and based in Lake Bluff, Illinois. The foundation operates the Schuler Scholar Program, which provides comprehensive support to high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds to gain access to and succeed at highly selective colleges and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-38.4% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.2M
-38.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation sponsors a scholarship program designed to motivate and support high-potential students in their pursuit of college graduation. The program recognizes that even high-potential students are vulnerable to outside influences during their high school and college years.
The Schuler Scholar Program targets Illinois students who are typically:
- First-generation college-bound
- Students of color
- From low-income families
The program provides:
- Academic coaching and counseling
- Leadership and personal development experiences
- Cultural, social, and civic experiences
- Expert guidance on maximizing financial aid
- College application support
- Professional development services during college and beyond
Grantmaking
The foundation has helped more than 1,800 students on their path to college and beyond. The program works with scholars for four years during high school and continues to provide professional development and supportive services during college and beyond.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Illinois, with emphasis on Chicago and the northern suburbs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total assets: $1,077,449
- Total revenues: -$13,371,430
- Total expenses: $10,593,715
- Total giving: $1,246,436
- Annual revenue: $248,189
Historical (2023):
- Revenue: $24.6 million
- Expenses: $16.3 million
- Total assets: $43.2 million
- Total liabilities: $22.5 million
Staffing:
- Approximately 31-49 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Amanda Marshall: Managing Director (compensation: $107,558 as of 2024)
- Jason Patenaude: Listed in personnel records (2024)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK SCHULER | PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | 10 | — |
| TANYA SCHULER SHARMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | $40,000 |
| THERESE SCHULER HOFFMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| TINO SCHULER | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| STEVEN POZKANZER | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| MICHAEL GORDON | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.25 | — |
| MATTHEW STROBECK | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| JASON PATENAUDE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $210,664 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant major gifts to higher education institutions:
Schuler Education Foundation awards Tufts $25 million challenge grant - The**Tufts University:** Awarded a $25 million challenge grant to increase the number of Pell Grant-eligible students and students with undocumented status (2021)
Schuler Education Foundation awards Tufts $25 million challenge grant - The**Bates College:** The Schuler Access Initiative awarded Bates $50 million in financial aid support to assist Pell-eligible, low-income, and undocumented students
Schuler Education Foundation awards Tufts $25 million challenge grant - TheThe foundation made 37 grants in its most recent reporting year.
Schenectady schools Educational Foundation distributes record amount of grantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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