Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Its 2024 filing lists 88 grants totaling $48,329,343 to charitable organizations, including educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, and other nonprofits.
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc gave $48.3M across 88 grants in 2024 (avg $549K), mostly in New York. 51% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $48,329,343
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 88
- +20.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $549,197
- -15.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $72,774
- Total assets
- $689,599,455
- +2.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 51% first-time grantees (44 of 87, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5454 Wisconsin Avenue Ste 1205, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Phone: (301) 913-5990
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Union Theological Seminary ($10.0M). Together the top 10 received $40.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
473 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 473 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, recipients in New York received 50% of grant dollars, followed by Illinois (17%), Massachusetts (11%), Connecticut (6%), and Alabama (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 88 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
51%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 44 of 87 grantees (51%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $487K; repeat grants $625K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $93K repeat.
- 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $35.5M (2020) to $58.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 88 grants totaling $48.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Union Theological Seminary New York, NY | Burke Library Renovations | $10,000,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Cryoelectron Microscopy Advancement | $7,500,000 |
| The New 42nd Street Inc New York, NY | General Support FY24-27 | $5,750,000 |
| Bard College AnnandaleonHudson, NY | Two Micro College Endowed Chairs | $5,000,000 |
| Worcester Art Museum Worcester, MA | Conservation and Collections Care | $5,000,000 |
| Equal Justice Initiative Montgomery, AL | General Support | $2,000,000 |
| Yale Divinity School New Haven, CT | Living Village Residential Complex | $2,000,000 |
| Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums San Francisco, CA | General Support | $1,500,000 |
| The Apollo Theater Foundation Inc New York, NY | Multi-Year Program Support | $1,000,000 |
| NXTHVN New Haven, CT | Arts, Entrepreneurship and Community | $750,000 |
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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 | $689,599,455 | $68,762,271 | $55,150,326 | $48,329,343 | 88 | $51,098,381 | $64,293,391 | $49,854,617 |
| 2023 | $676,011,787 | $71,596,138 | $53,332,794 | $47,188,693 | 73 | $49,825,060 | $63,680,846 | $46,837,003 |
| 2022 | $714,467,162 | $58,536,264 | $64,419,576 | $58,109,385 | 95 | $60,685,728 | $53,382,404 | $48,915,054 |
| 2021 | $713,395,159 | $153,778,532 | $51,548,203 | $46,139,594 | 111 | $48,210,676 | $147,058,606 | $61,061,480 |
| 2020 | $608,781,139 | $70,437,193 | $40,643,764 | $35,542,574 | 106 | — | $65,411,595 | $54,359,656 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $49.9M for 2024 — 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 2024 grants show support for universities and colleges, seminaries, museums, performing arts organizations, and community organizations.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Union Theological Seminary describes its work as educating leaders for ministry, advancing social justice, and contributing to teaching and research. Northwestern University says it is committed to teaching, research, and student growth. The Worcester Art Museum describes its mission as connecting people, communities, and cultures through art, while NXTHVN says it trains and develops professional artists and supports New Haven’s arts community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 88 grants totaling $48,329,343. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $10,000,000, with a median grant of $72,774.
Among the largest awards were $10,000,000 to Union Theological Seminary for Burke Library renovations; $7,500,000 to Northwestern University for cryoelectron microscopy advancement; $5,750,000 to The New 42nd Street Inc for general support for FY24–27; $5,000,000 each to Bard College for two micro-college endowed chairs and Worcester Art Museum for conservation and collections care; and $2,000,000 each to Equal Justice Initiative for general support and Yale Divinity School for the Living Village Residential Complex.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc is led by Bonnie Himmelman, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bonnie Himmelman
President & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$530K (2020) → $530K (2024)
Dale Knobel
Chairman & Director
Director → Chairman & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$47K (2020) → $57K (2024)
Bruce Dresner
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $51K (2024)
Carol Folt
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$21K (2020) → $31K (2024)
Dorothy Kosinski
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Jeff Himmelman
Vice President, Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Vice President, Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$143K (2020) → $375K (2024)
Russel Granet
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$21K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Walter F. Burke III
Chief Invest. Officer & Director
Chief Invest. Officer & Chairman → Chief Invest. Officer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$478K (2020) → $478K (2024)
Will McLean
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$42K (2020) → $55K (2024)
Jonelle Procope
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$31K (2024)
Patrick Burke
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
$47K (2024)
Julie McLean
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$208K (2020) → $260K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $530K, to Bonnie Himmelman (President/Director). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc
How much does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc give each year?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc gave $48.3M across 88 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $47.2M across 73 grants.
What is Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $72,774, and its average grant was $549,197, across 88 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc that year got $487K on average.
Where does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc give grants?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (17%) and Massachusetts (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (15 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Portland, OR (3 grants).
Does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 88) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Summer Stipend Program" (7 grants), "Museum Conservation Program" (6 grants) and "SEP Phase XVI" (6 grants).
Who are Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Union Theological Seminary ($10,000,000), Northwestern University ($7,500,000) and The New 42nd Street Inc ($5,750,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc reported $689.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $51.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $49.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for universities and colleges, seminaries, museums, performing arts organizations, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc?
The foundation 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 Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1951698. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sherman-fairchild-foundation-inc-morg_f87f1ddaa72441e89598d902dc8de2e7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131951698_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sherman-fairchild-foundation-inc-morg_f87f1ddaa72441e89598d902dc8de2e7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc'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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