The Shapiro-Silverberg Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000 and based in New York City. It operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since April 2001. The foundation is the family philanthropy vehicle of John M. Shapiro and Dr. Shonni J. Silverberg, focusing on strategic grantmaking across multiple sectors with particular emphasis on Jewish causes and higher education.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$45.7M
+30.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.6M
-60.2% YoY
Grant Count
26
+13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$215K
-64.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philanthropy centers on the following priority areas:
- Jewish causes — domestic and international Jewish communities and advocacy for Israel (primary funding priority)
- Higher education — particularly Wesleyan University, the shared alma mater of both founders
- Arts and culture
- Human services
- Health
- Education and youth
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. It takes a highly selective, proactive approach to grantmaking, relying instead on the founders' established networks within the Jewish philanthropic community and their personal institutional affiliations. The foundation tends to support the same grantees year over year, with limited opportunities for new grant seekers.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $1,000,000+
Average Grant
amount: $3,600–$5,000,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations operating in New York City and across the United States, with particular emphasis on the East Coast.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $45,665,790
- 2023: $35,100,000
Annual Giving & Revenue:
- 2024 total giving: $5,588,550
- 2024 total revenues: $20,491,572
- 2024 total expenses: $6,020,476
- 2023 total giving: $14,024,600
- 2023 total revenues: $9,360,000
- 2023 total expenses: $14,600,000
Liabilities: $0 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $45,665,790 | $35,050,293 | $38,314,395 |
| Revenue | $20,491,572 | $9,358,768 | $2,365,912 |
| Expenses | $6,020,476 | $14,592,489 | $5,716,646 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,590,050 | $14,025,350 | $5,291,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,993,942 | $8,249,882 | $1,939,266 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,570,819 | $2,405,068 | $2,657,844 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
116 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
John M. Shapiro — Co-founder. Graduated from Wesleyan University in 1974 and serves on the board of trustees. Cofounded Chieftain Capital Management in 1984.
Dr. Shonni J. Silverberg — Co-founder. Physician-scientist and endocrinologist who has devoted her career to the care of patients with osteoporosis and parathyroid disease. Serves as a professor of medicine at Columbia University, clinical director of the Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, and medical director of The Parathyroid Center at Columbia's College of Physicians & Surgeons.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN M SHAPIRO | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SHONNI J SILVERBERG | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported notable initiatives including the Shapiro-Silverberg Distinguished Writers in Residence Program at Wesleyan University, which launched in 2022-23. The foundation also made a gift to support writing programs at Wesleyan University.
Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces Record $3.06 million in Annual ResearchSubject 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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