Shmerler Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker White Plains, NY EIN: 13-6067203
EducationPhilanthropyHealthEnd of life careHospice care

Shmerler Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in White Plains, New York. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including universities, camps, health organizations, and community organizations.

Shmerler Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Shmerler Foundation Inc gave $218K across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$218,111
+0.3% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
46
+0.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$4,742
+0.3% vs 2024
Median grant
$1,000
Total assets
$837,670
-3.1% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
11% first-time grantees (5 of 46, 2025)
Primary geography
New York (50% 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 Shmerler 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: 81 Main Street 207, White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: (914) 681-0400

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Shmerler Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

University of Pennsylvania: $56KUniversity of Pennsylvania$56KSurprise Lake Camp: $38KSurprise Lake Camp$38KLehigh University: $20KLehigh University$20KUjafederation of NY: $15KUjafederation of NY$15KWhite Plains Hospital: $15KWhite Plains Hospital$15KAlzheimers Assn: $13KAlzheimers Assn$13KEmily's Entourage: $7KEmily's Entourage$7KCongregation Kol Ami: $6KCongregation Kol Ami$6KDaily Pennsylvanian: $4KDaily Pennsylvanian$4KMount Sinai Bressman's Center: $4KMount Sinai Bressman's Center$4K

The largest 2025 recipient was University of Pennsylvania ($56K). Together the top 10 received $176K.

Grant Size Distribution

225 grants across all recorded years

220<$50K5$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 220 grants of 225 (98%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 40% to recipients in Pennsylvania. Smaller shares went to Illinois (6%), Oklahoma (1%), and Washington, DC (1%).

Grant Distribution by State

14states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.

Cities

New YorkScarsdalePhiladelphiaWashingtonElmsfordBala CynwydBethlehemCherry HillChicagoCos CobMamaroneckMerion StationMiamiMount KiscoNewportOklahoma CityPleasantvilleNew BrunswickSanta Rosa BeachBrewster

Is Shmerler Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

11%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 5 of 46 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $5K. How we count

Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.

  • 89% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+19%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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

$0$100K$200K$300K43 grants2020 36 grants2021 47 grants2022 50 grants2023 46 grants2024 46 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $158K (2020) to $218K (2025). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $218K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAUnrestricted$55,600
Surprise Lake Camp New York, NYUnrestricted$37,500
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAUnrestricted$20,000
Ujafederation of NY New York, NYUnrestricted$15,000
White Plains Hospital White Plains, NYUnrestricted$15,000
Alzheimers Assn Chicago, ILUnrestricted$12,500
Emily's Entourage Merion Station, PAUnrestricted$7,000
Congregation Kol Ami White Plains, NYUnrestricted$6,111
Daily Pennsylvanian Philadelphia, PAUnrestricted$3,500
Mount Sinai Bressman's Center New York, NYUnrestricted$3,500
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Shmerler Foundation Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$837,670$195,638$222,492$218,11146$218,531$191,677$252,784
2024$864,524$229,709$221,659$217,48146$217,901$225,951$240,657
2023$856,474$190,398$208,558$206,10350$206,823$188,663$181,400
2022$874,634$130,801$186,157$183,19547$183,915$128,559$204,689
2021$929,990$134,086$164,100$161,52036$162,230$132,216$191,207
2020$960,004$104,158$160,184$158,44843—$103,132$154,950

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shmerler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $253K for 2025 — 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 grants include support for higher education, health, youth programs, and community organizations. For example, Surprise Lake Camp describes its mission as providing children and young adults with a safe, fun Jewish experience that promotes personal growth. Westchester Children’s Association says it works to improve children’s lives in Westchester County by promoting their needs and well-being. These are grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $218,111. Grants ranged from $250 to $55,600, with a median of $1,000. The largest reported grants included University of Pennsylvania ($55,600), Surprise Lake Camp ($37,500), Lehigh University ($20,000), UJA Federation of New York ($15,000), White Plains Hospital ($15,000), and Alzheimer’s Association ($12,500). The listed grants were designated unrestricted.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists William Shmerler as president and Ford Levy as secretary.

Shmerler Foundation Inc is led by William Shmerler, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • William Shmerler

    President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Ford Levy

    Secretary

    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 Shmerler Foundation Inc

How much does Shmerler Foundation Inc give each year?

Shmerler Foundation Inc gave $218K across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $217K across 46 grants.

What is Shmerler Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Shmerler Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $4,742, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shmerler Foundation Inc that year got $1K on average.

Where does Shmerler Foundation Inc give grants?

Shmerler Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (40%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (13 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants), Elmsford, NY (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).

Does Shmerler Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Shmerler Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Shmerler Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Shmerler Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include University of Pennsylvania ($55,600), Surprise Lake Camp ($37,500) and Lehigh University ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Shmerler Foundation Inc?

Shmerler Foundation Inc reported $838K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $219K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $253K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Shmerler Foundation Inc fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for higher education, health, youth programs, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Shmerler 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 Shmerler Foundation Inc's EIN?

Shmerler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6067203. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Shmerler 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

(3)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 7, 2024)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 27, 2026)
  3. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Shmerler Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in New York

The Ford Foundation

New York, NY

The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$17.5B

Grants

4,007

Total Given

$844.7M

The New York Community Trust

New York, NY

The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.5B

Grants

2,748

Total Given

$193.8M

The Simons Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.5B

Grants

1,727

Total Given

$272.0M

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

New York, NY

LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.

Assets

$1.6B

Grants

1,119

Total Given

$102.8M

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc

New York, NY

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$134.4M

Grants

1,101

Total Given

$326.0M

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Shmerler Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shmerler-foundation-inc-morg_3bbcbe31e3354349ab0020fa461e8200

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136067203_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Shmerler Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/shmerler-foundation-inc-morg_3bbcbe31e3354349ab0020fa461e8200},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Shmerler 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.

Shmerler Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?