Shapell Manuscript Foundation
Shapell Manuscript Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Monica, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $690K.
Shapell Manuscript Foundation at a glance
In short: Shapell Manuscript Foundation gave $690K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $345K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $690,000
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $345,000
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $345,000
- Total assets
- $1,592,554
- +8.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (1% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Shapell Manuscript Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The B Shapell's Family Manuscript Amuta Ra ($680K). Together the top 2 received $690K.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 5 grants of 7 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Shapell Manuscript Foundation gives
- Giving grew 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $555K (2022) to $750K (2020). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $690K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The B Shapell's Family Manuscript Amuta Ra | Research of Historical Documents | $680,000 |
| Jewish Funders Network New York, NY | General | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shapell Manuscript Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,592,554 | $1,674,488 | $1,556,898 | $690,000 | 2 | $690,000 | $64,685 |
| 2024 | $1,474,964 | $1,398,686 | $1,529,775 | $662,000 | 2 | $662,000 | $64,539 |
| 2023 | $1,606,053 | $1,441,245 | $1,469,479 | $590,000 | 1 | $590,000 | $68,601 |
| 2022 | $1,634,287 | $1,414,195 | $1,491,482 | $555,000 | 1 | $555,000 | $67,637 |
| 2021 | $1,711,574 | $1,663,093 | $1,666,132 | $680,000 | 1 | $680,000 | $68,247 |
| 2020 | $1,714,613 | $1,637,624 | $1,646,869 | $750,000 | 1 | — | $66,707 |
| 2019 | $1,723,858 | $1,607,055 | $1,663,524 | $650,000 | 1 | — | $68,924 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shapell Manuscript Foundation reported a distributable amount of $65K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Shapell Manuscript Foundation is led by Benjamin Shapell, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Benjamin Shapell
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Maddalena
CFO
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jennifer Shapell Smith
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Reynolds T. Cafferata
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert Enders (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Stanley Kubrin (2019) — Assistant Secretary
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 Shapell Manuscript Foundation
How much does Shapell Manuscript Foundation give each year?
Shapell Manuscript Foundation gave $690K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $662K across 2 grants.
How large is Shapell Manuscript Foundation?
Shapell Manuscript Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $690K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $65K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Shapell Manuscript Foundation?
Shapell Manuscript Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Santa Monica, CA. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Shapell Manuscript Foundation operate?
Shapell Manuscript Foundation has awarded grants in New York.
What is Shapell Manuscript Foundation's EIN?
Shapell Manuscript Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2159043. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 August 21, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shapell Manuscript Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Aviv Foundation Inc
Washington, DC
Aviv Foundation supports systemic change in child welfare and education, bipartisan cooperation in government, Jewish engagement, and a cohesive society in Israel, with work in the United States and Israel. Its 2024 filing reports one grant of $20.56 million, so typical giving levels are unclear. It does not accept unsolicited requests outside preselected organizations, but its Springboard Prize for Child Welfare accepts applications.
Assets
$10.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$20.6M
The Karp Family Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
Assets
$2K
Grants
1
Total Given
$75K
Jewish Book Council Inc
New York, NY
Jewish Book Council celebrates and champions books that reflect the diversity and richness of jewish experience. By connecting readers, authors, and all who value literature, we create opportunities for essential conversations and vibrant engagement with jewish life and community.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Group 36
Philadelphia, PA
The organization empowers ngos, foundations, and philanthropic organizations to maximize their impact by providing tailored support in organizational consulting, grant management, and fiscal sponsorship. The organization specializes in helping clients drive lasting, positive change through customized solutions, including project design, financial management, and strategic development for a variety of nonprofit initiatives
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$225K
Fohs Foundation
Roseburg, OR
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$290K
Thomas D & Denise R Stern Family
New York, NY
The foundation supports Jewish and Israeli communities, veterans, and education, with 2025 grants going to organizations in New York, Washington, New Hampshire, Florida, and California. Its nine grants totaled $1.49 million, ranging from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.0M
Grants
9
Total Given
$1.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Shapell Manuscript 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.
Shapell Manuscript Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?