Shusterman Foundation
The Shusterman Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 1982. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation supporting philanthropic initiatives across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
+4.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$293K
+111.2% YoY
Grant Count
29
+7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+96.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shusterman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $151K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports initiatives in the following primary areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Education
- Human Services
- Higher Education
- Human Rights
- Social Justice
- Renewable Energy
- Community and School Gardens
Grantmaking
The foundation reports being open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Grant Range
$22,000
Average Grant
$22,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states, including:
- California
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Specific cities where the foundation has funded projects include Berkeley, Boca Raton, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (Fiscal Year Ending June 2024):
- Total Assets: $3,130,627 (with some sources reporting $3,279,789)
- Total Revenue: $69,910
- Total Expenses: $213,291
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Expense Ratio: 305.1% of total revenue spent on programming
Year Established: 1982
Tax-Exempt Status: March 1982
EIN: 23-2187215
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,279,789 | $3,130,627 | $3,078,278 |
| Revenue | $726,819 | $69,910 | $188,550 |
| Expenses | $369,319 | $213,291 | $172,726 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $305,739 | $152,820 | $131,025 |
| Net Investment Income | $469,945 | $33,475 | $148,324 |
| Distributable Amount | $151,325 | $157,405 | $152,193 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Temple University ($105,000), American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania ($35,000), Gratz College ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $35,000 |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | "UNRESTRICTED" | $5,200 |
| AMERICAN CONSITUTION SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | "UNRESTRICTED" | $15,000 |
| AMERICAN TECHNION SOCIETY CONSHOHOCKEN, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $6,500 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (NY) NEW YORK, NY | "UNRESTRICTED" | $6,000 |
| ATHENAUEM OF PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $200 |
| BICOL CLINIC FOUNDATION BOCA RATON, FL | "UNRESTRICTED" | $500 |
| EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY HISTORIC SITE PHILADELPHIA, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $1,000 |
| GRATZ COLLEGE MELROSE PARK, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $30,000 |
| HIAS PENNSYLVANIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | "UNRESTRICTED" | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees:
- Robert J. Shusterman
- Melissa Shusterman
Both trustees serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT J SHUSTERMAN | TRUSTEE/MANAGER | 5 | — |
| MELISSA SHUSTERMAN | TRUSTEE/MANAGER | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced significant grant distributions in recent years:
$1.8 million in newly awarded grants (recent announcement)
Shusterman celebrates $1.8 million in newly awarded grants$1 million in grants to Paoli Memorial Hospital (recent announcement)
Shusterman celebrates $1.8 million in newly awarded grantsThe foundation continues to support community initiatives in areas including transportation, parks, pedestrian safety, school mental health, public schools, and public safety.
Grant Memo: Transportation, Parks, Pedestrian Safety, School Mental Health,Frequently Asked Questions
What does Shusterman Foundation fund?
The foundation supports initiatives in the following primary areas: • Arts and Culture • Education • Human Services • Higher Education • Human Rights • Social Justice • Renewable Energy • Community and School Gardens
How do I apply for a grant from Shusterman Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts:** • Total giving in fiscal year 2024: $292,650 • Average grant size: $22,000 • Typical award range: $200–$105,000 • Number of grants awarded in 2024: 27 grants **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Gratz College: $30,000 (unrestricted) • Responsible Preservation: $25,000 (unrestricted) • Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (JFGP): $10,000 (unrestricted) The foundation reports being open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Where does Shusterman Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states, including: • California • District of Columbia • Florida • Illinois • Maryland • New York • Pennsylvania • Virginia Specific cities where the foundation has funded projects include Berkeley, Boca Raton, and New York.
What size grants does Shusterman Foundation award?
In 2025, Shusterman Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $293K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Shusterman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Shusterman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $151K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Shusterman Foundation's EIN?
Shusterman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2187215. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Shusterman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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