Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 1955 and incorporated in New York. It is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The foundation was founded by Sherman Fairchild, who served as Chairman of Fairchild Camera and Instrument Company, a manufacturer of semiconductor devices. Sherman Fairchild was also a director of International Business Machines, a company founded by his father. Upon his death on March 28, 1971, he left the bulk of his estate to his foundations. The foundation's current name was adopted in 1974.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$689.6M
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$48.3M
+2.4% YoY
Grant Count
88
+20.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$549K
-15.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation emphasizes support for higher education and fine arts and cultural institutions, with additional support for medical research and social welfare.
Higher Education is the foundation's largest area of giving, supporting a broad range of public and private colleges and universities across the United States. Recent areas of focus include theology, with multi-million-dollar grants supporting institutions such as Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Yale Divinity School. The foundation has also supported Northwestern University, Bard College, and Purchase College. Fostering national and amateur sports competition appears to be an interest, though the foundation does not provide support for equipment or facilities.
Arts and Culture represent a secondary but significant funding area, with support for fine arts and cultural institutions.
Medical Research and Social Welfare receive additional but more modest support.
Grantmaking
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation does not maintain a website or accept proposals for funding. The foundation does not articulate a formal strategy for its giving.
Grant Range
s and Types:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $15,000,000. The foundation provides general support, summer stipend programs, and emergency services funding.
How to Apply
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Prospective applicants are advised to connect with a past grantee or staff member for guidance on how to approach the foundation.
Ready to take the next step with Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation's grantmaking is national in scope, with particular activity in New York, the District of Columbia, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $690,000,000
- 2023: $676,011,787
- 2019: Over $829,000,000
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $55,200,000 (expenses)
- 2023: $48,329,343 (total giving)
- 2019: $35,861,412
Revenue:
- 2024: $68,762,271
- 2023: $71,596,138
Liabilities:
- 2024: $2,430,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $689,599,455 | $676,011,787 | $714,467,162 |
| Revenue | $68,762,271 | $71,596,138 | $58,536,264 |
| Expenses | $55,150,326 | $53,332,794 | $64,419,576 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $51,098,381 | $49,825,060 | $60,685,728 |
| Net Investment Income | $64,293,391 | $63,680,846 | $53,382,404 |
| Distributable Amount | $49,854,617 | $46,837,003 | $48,915,054 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bard College ($5,000,000), Equal Justice Initiative ($2,000,000), Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums ($1,500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny College Meadville, PA | Summer Stipend Program | $99,975 |
| Apex for Youth New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| The Apollo Theater Foundation Inc New York, NY | Multi-Year Program Support | $1,000,000 |
| Bank Street College of Education New York, NY | Bank Street Graduate School | $25,000 |
| Bard College AnnandaleonHudson, NY | Two Micro College Endowed Chairs | $5,000,000 |
| Bates College Lewiston, ME | A&T Phase VI | $44,800 |
| Beloit College Beloit, WI | A&T Phase VI | $93,074 |
| Berea College Berea, KY | Summer Stipend Program | $40,956 |
| Blackstar Organization Los Angeles, CA | LA Youth Soccer | $25,000 |
| The Boys' Club of New York Inc New York, NY | General Support | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Bonnie Burke Himmelman serves as the current president of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation has continued active grantmaking in recent years, with notable recent grants including an $8 million award to New 42 for arts and cultural programming, and support for digital arts and technology initiatives at Hamilton College. The foundation has also supported scientific research and teaching equipment at institutions including Willamette University and summer research programs at Susquehanna University.
Hamilton Receives Digital Arts & Technology GrantSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc fund?
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation emphasizes support for higher education and fine arts and cultural institutions, with additional support for medical research and social welfare. **Higher Education** is the foundation's largest area of giving, supporting a broad range of public and private colleges and universities across the United States. Recent areas of focus include theology, with multi-million-dollar grants supporting institutions such as Union Theological Seminary in New York City and Yal…
How do I apply for a grant from Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc?
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation does not maintain a website or accept proposals for funding. The foundation does not articulate a formal strategy for its giving. **Grant Sizes and Types:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $15,000,000. The foundation provides general support, summer stipend programs, and emergency services funding. **Recent Grant Activity:** • Northwestern University: $7,500,000 for Cryoelectron Microscopy Advancement (2023) • University of Southern California: $5,000,000 f…
Where does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc make grants?
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation's grantmaking is national in scope, with particular activity in New York, the District of Columbia, and Florida.
What size grants does Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc awarded 88 grants totaling $48.3M — an average of about $549K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $49.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Abell Foundation Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Sherman Fairchild Foundation Inc to a real strategy.