The Silver Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in March 1999 and based in Darien, Connecticut. The organization holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and operates as a private foundation focused on philanthropic giving to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$145.2M
+332.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+29.8% YoY
Grant Count
50
+2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+27.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Silver Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Silver Family Foundation provides financial support to nonprofits that focus on transformative youth development. The foundation seeks organizations with clear goals and measurable outcomes, with specific interest in programs that:
- Mentor school-age youth through structured, ongoing relationships
- Provide academic intervention and support to help students achieve benchmark reading levels
- Inspire, support, and teach students to excel in school and beyond
- Support each child's academic needs along with their social and emotional health
- Prepare students for college and career through college preparatory programs and college retention efforts
Grantmaking
The foundation makes approximately 40 grants annually, with typical grant sizes ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Multi-year grants are considered for programs demonstrating sustained impact.
Grant Range
s ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Multi-year grants are considered for programs demonstrating sustained impact.
Review Cycle
twice per year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus is Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024-2025):
- Total Assets: $145.2 million
- Total Revenue: $2.04 million (2024)
- Total Expenses: $2.89 million (2024)
- Total Giving: $2.75 million (2024)
- Giving Rate: 8.1%
Grant Range: $6,000 to $2,010,000 Median Grant Amount: $35,000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $145,188,736 | $33,551,305 | $34,400,134 |
| Revenue | $115,459,845 | $2,037,973 | $608,400 |
| Expenses | $3,822,414 | $2,886,802 | $7,117,955 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,516,488 | $2,752,560 | $6,971,131 |
| Net Investment Income | $115,116,119 | $1,903,731 | $725,044 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,094,064 | $1,780,158 | $1,869,309 |
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
238 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Silver Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Younglife ($500,000), Friends of the Children Seattle ($250,000), Portland Art Museum ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A VILLAGE FOR ONE OREGON CITY, OR | YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES | $35,000 |
| ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM DRIGGS, ID | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS COLUMBIA NORTHWEST PORTLAND, OR | MENTORING PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| BLAINE COUNTY CHARITABLE FUND HAILEY, ID | COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| BLAINE COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION HAILEY, ID | MENTORING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN | $25,000 |
| CAMP TAMARACK BEND, OR | TO PROVIDE AND SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECTS THAT OFFER AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGE SAFE, PRODUCTIVE AND ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCES WITHIN. | $35,000 |
| CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE PORTLAND, OR | HUMAN SERVICES | $58,333 |
| CITIZENS FOR SAFE SCHOOLS KLAMATH FALLS, OR | MENTORING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN | $25,000 |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE GRESHAM, OR | MENTORING LOW INCOME STUDENTS TO GET INTO COLLEGEMENTORING LOW INCOME STUDENTS TO GET INTO COLLEGE | $110,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL IN PENINSULA VAUGHN, WA | PROMOTE STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH CONNECTING THEM WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES. | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's trustees are:
- Philip and Barbara Silver
- Peter Milo Silver
- Philip Tyler Silver
Sara Merten serves as Manager.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIP AND BARBARA SILVER | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
| PETER MILO SILVER | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
| PHILIP TYLER SILVER | TRUSTEE | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation donated $2 million to the ARCS Foundation and $1 million to expand Career & Technical Education (CTE) in Fredericksburg City Public Schools.
Silver Foundation donates $1 million to expand Career & Technical EducationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Silver Family Foundation fund?
The Silver Family Foundation provides financial support to nonprofits that focus on transformative youth development. The foundation seeks organizations with clear goals and measurable outcomes, with specific interest in programs that: • Mentor school-age youth through structured, ongoing relationships • Provide academic intervention and support to help students achieve benchmark reading levels • Inspire, support, and teach students to excel in school and beyond • Support each child's academic …
How do I apply for a grant from Silver Family Foundation?
The foundation makes approximately 40 grants annually, with typical grant sizes ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Multi-year grants are considered for programs demonstrating sustained impact. **Application Process:** The foundation uses a two-step competitive process: 1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) — Due by specific deadlines twice per year 2. Full Application — By invitation only following LOI review The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or capital funding requests, and does no…
Where does Silver Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's geographic focus is Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
What size grants does Silver Family Foundation award?
In 2025, Silver Family Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $3.2M — an average of about $64K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Silver Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Silver Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Silver Family Foundation's EIN?
Silver Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1532898. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Silver Family 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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