Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP is a private foundation based in Peoria Heights, Illinois. Formed in 2020, its stated purpose is to enhance the lives of Central Illinois residents through community support, including assistance to schools and charitable organizations, youth sponsorships, meal-packing and food-shelter support, and beds for children without one.
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP at a glance
In short: Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP gave $16K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $740.455), mostly in Illinois. 86% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,290
- -15.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $740
- +7.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $94
- Total assets
- $48,169
- -11.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 86% first-time grantees (18 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through online applications. The filing lists the requested materials as organization name, email address, FEIN, website, mailing address, and purpose. The foundation’s website says applications are considered for its listed categories and that qualifying applicants must operate within the Central Illinois community for the Professional Heroes program; individual requests are not accepted for that program.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states no deadline. The website says event requests must be submitted at least three weeks before the event date to be considered.
- Deadline
- The filing states no deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1203 East Marietta Ave, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Phone: (309) 643-6004
Website: https://shermansfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Product of the Project ($4K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $16K.
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 121 grants of 121 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving Central Illinois. In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 15% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP open to new grantees?
86%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 21 grantees (86%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $513; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $59 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 14% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 941% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2021) to $24K (2023). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $16K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria Ms '25 Walk New York, NY | Event Sponsorship | $2,500 |
| Product of the Project Peoria, IL | Product of the project is a 501(c)(3) organizanization. This donation was for a back to school backpack sponsorship. | $2,500 |
| Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center Peoria, IL | Donating Meal Packing Packets | $1,525 |
| Peru Hall Township Food Pantry Spring Valley, IL | Meal Packing Supplies | $1,525 |
| Pilgrims Progress Food Pantry Peoria, IL | Donating Meal Packing Packets | $1,525 |
| Salvation Armysafe Harbor-Shelter Bloomington, IL | Donating Meal Packing Packets | $1,525 |
| Southside Community Center Peoria, IL | Donating Meal Packing Packets | $1,525 |
| Product of the Project Peoria, IL | Donating Meal Packing Packets | $1,525 |
| Peoria Christian Center Peoria, IL | Youth Sports Sponsorship | $1,500 |
| Paws Giving Independence Peoria, IL | Event Donation | $100 |
Ready to take the next step with Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,169 | $14,000 | $20,455 | $16,290 | 22 | $20,455 | $2,174 |
| 2024 | $54,624 | $14,000 | $23,103 | $19,295 | 28 | $23,103 | $2,602 |
| 2023 | $63,727 | $12,000 | $28,232 | $24,417 | 33 | $27,932 | $3,022 |
| 2022 | $79,959 | $22,000 | $23,506 | $20,294 | 26 | $23,376 | $3,894 |
| 2021 | $81,465 | $31,000 | $13,377 | $8,803 | 12 | $11,968 | $3,514 |
| 2020 | $63,842 | $65,000 | $1,158 | — | — | — | $817 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its purpose is to enhance the lives of Central Illinois residents. It lists schools, youth organizations, food banks, churches, shelters, veteran groups, and local benefits and fundraisers among the groups and activities it supports.
Its website describes the Professional Heroes program as offering discounted or donated appliances and mattresses to nonprofit organizations operating in Central Illinois. For Sweet Slumber, children must be ages 3–16, live in Central Illinois, and lack a bed; nominations must come from a school social worker, case manager, church, or other charitable organization.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $16,290. Grant amounts ranged from $29 to $2,500, with a median of $94. The largest listed awards included $2,500 to Peoria MS '25 Walk for event sponsorship and $2,500 to Product of the Project for a back-to-school backpack sponsorship. Other listed grants included $1,525 each to the Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center, Peru Hall Township Food Pantry, Pilgrims Progress Food Pantry, Salvation Army Safe Harbor-Shelter, Southside Community Center, and Product of the Project for meal-packing supplies. Peoria Christian Center received $1,500 for youth sports sponsorship.
The foundation’s website provides online application categories for schools, youth organizations, food banks, churches, shelters, veteran groups, and local benefits and fundraisers. Its filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paul Sherman as president, John Willis as vice president and treasurer, and David Weiss as secretary.
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP is led by Paul Sherman, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paul Sherman
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
David Weiss
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John Willis
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP
How much does Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP give each year?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP gave $16K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $19K across 28 grants.
What is Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's typical grant size?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's median grant in 2025 was $94, and its average grant was $740, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP that year got $513 on average.
Where does Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP give grants?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP gives mostly in Illinois: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Peoria, IL (16 grants) and Bloomington, IL (2 grants).
Does Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Bedding for Kids" (11 grants) and "Donating Meal Packing Packets" (5 grants).
Who are Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's largest grantees?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's largest 2025 grantees include Product of the Project ($4,025 across 2 grants), Peoria Ms '25 Walk ($2,500) and Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center ($1,525), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP reported $48K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP fund?
The foundation states that its purpose is to enhance the lives of Central Illinois residents. It lists schools, youth organizations, food banks, churches, shelters, veteran groups, and local benefits and fundraisers among the groups and activities it supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through online applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's EIN?
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1294707. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Inc
Bloomington, IL
The foundation funds eligible programs in education, health and wellness, youth, Jewish life, civic engagement, the environment, women and girls, arts and culture, and music education, generally serving residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties in Illinois. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, though awards ranged from $5,300 to $1 million. It directs applicants to use its online grant portal; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$27.5M
Grants
66
Total Given
$2.1M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
The Richard & Rossy Shaller Family
West St Paul, MN
The Richard & Rossy Shaller Family funds charitable organizations working in areas represented by its grants, including health, arts and culture, animal welfare, Jewish community life, and services for people with intellectual disabilities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $350 to $5,000, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to Minnesota, with grants also in New York and Washington, DC. It accepts no unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$338K
Grants
22
Total Given
$26K
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Washington, DC
PhRMA funds organizations and initiatives related to biopharmaceutical research, patient access and affordability, health care policy, and public education, with grants mainly going to U.S. recipients. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though awards ranged from $5,250 to more than $6.8 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$349.0M
Grants
461
Total Given
$41.4M
The Bettie Gordon Neale Foundation Inc
Westlake Village, CA
The Bettie Gordon Neale Foundation funds organizations addressing homelessness, veterans and service members, food access, education, and health, with most of its giving going to California organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $260 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.6M
Grants
16
Total Given
$102K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP'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.
Sherman Family Community Foundation NFP down — hundreds of funders to go?