Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc
The Solon E. Summerfield Foundation, Inc. (SESF) is a private foundation established in 1929 and incorporated in 1939 in New York. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that has been tax-exempt since October 1942. The foundation was conceived by Solon E. Summerfield as a memorial to his father, Marcus Summerfield, a University of Kansas law professor and scholar.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.8M
+7.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.7M
-20.1% YoY
Grant Count
61
-16.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$110K
-4.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation engages in grant partnerships in the NYC-Metro area that seek to transform systems and pathways of opportunity so that young people most impacted by social, racial, and economic injustice can live choice-filled lives.
Since its inception, SESF has championed and supported nonprofit organizations dedicated to the holistic development of underserved children and youth. Solon E. Summerfield believed that a college degree was a crucial driver of social and economic mobility—a conclusion that continues to have urgent relevance today.
Current Grantmaking Priorities:
Careers that address young people's top priorities, including:
- Climate change and the environment
- Mental and behavioral health
Youth participation in civics and government, including:
- Youth-led research and other efforts that elevate youth voice in public discourse or budgetary and policy priorities
- Youth organizing, advocacy, and engagement with system leaders and policymakers on policymaking and system-level change
Historical Funding Areas:
The foundation gives primarily for education, youth development, human services, the arts, and environmental education.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the NYC-Metro area, though historical giving patterns suggest broader national reach. The foundation is based in Bethesda, Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $31.5 million
- Revenue: $5.23 million
- Expenses: $9.62 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Assets (2024): Approximately $33.8 million
The foundation maintains a significant endowment primarily invested in securities that generate dividend income and capital gains to support its philanthropic activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,823,777 | $31,545,609 | $31,529,268 |
| Revenue | $6,923,325 | $5,228,175 | $672,398 |
| Expenses | $8,085,578 | $9,615,437 | $7,529,728 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,018,108 | $9,139,750 | $7,026,736 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,674,306 | $4,702,265 | $933,709 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,469,493 | $4,183,045 | $4,506,021 |
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
245 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fund for the City of New York Inc ($771,936), Nyc Health Hospitals ($372,000), Green City Force ($338,322).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND HUNTINGTON, WV | ENDOWMENT/GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,921 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | PROGRAM SUPPORT - NATIVE PATHWAYS PROGRAM | $102,452 |
| ARBOR RISING NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,729 |
| AT THE TABLE INC BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BOTTOM LINE BROOKLYN, NY | EMERGENCY FUND ENDOWMENT | $151,247 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IRVING, TX | ENDOWMENT/GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,921 |
| BROOKLYN NAVY YARD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BROOKLYN, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT - STEAM CENTER | $50,000 |
| CHANGE IMPACT EAST ROCKAWAY, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT - PEER LEARNING PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| COLLEGE ACCESS RESEARCH & ACTION (CARA) NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT - IMPLEMENTING COLLEGE BRIDGE IN NEWARK | $118,009 |
| COLLEGE ACCESS RESEARCH & ACTION (CARA) NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT - COLLEGE ACCESS: RESEARCH & ACTION (CARA) | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by a five-member board of directors:
- Cynthia Rivera Weissblum – Director, President
- Mark A. Cogen – Director, Treasurer
- Anne E. Treeger – Director, Secretary
- Karen P. Balliett – Director, Vice President
- Randolph Moore – Director
Board members receive modest annual compensation of $5,000 each.
Additional Contact: Alyssa N. Cogen is listed as a Director.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYNTHIA RIVERA WEISSBLUM | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 12 | $5,000 |
| KAREN P BALLIETT | DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | $5,000 |
| ANNE E TREEGER | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 5 | $5,000 |
| MARK A COGEN | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 5 | $5,000 |
| RANDOLPH MOORE | DIRECTOR | 5 | $5,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation engages in grant partnerships in the NYC-Metro area that seek to transform systems and pathways of opportunity so that young people most impacted by social, racial, and economic injustice can live choice-filled lives. Since its inception, SESF has championed and supported nonprofit organizations dedicated to the holistic development of underserved children and youth. Solon E. Summerfield believed that a college degree was a crucial driver of social and economic mobility—a conclus…
How do I apply for a grant from Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc?
**Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed approximately $7.5 million in charitable grants in 2024, with annual expenses of $9.62 million reported in 2023. **Grant Information:** Specific grant programs, amounts, and ranges are not publicly disclosed. Grant-making appears to be at the discretion of the board of directors. The foundation does not maintain a public-facing website with published grant guidelines, suggesting a more traditional approach to philanthropy focused on trustee-directed…
Where does Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the NYC-Metro area, though historical giving patterns suggest broader national reach. The foundation is based in Bethesda, Maryland.
What size grants does Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc awarded 61 grants totaling $6.7M — an average of about $110K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $4.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc's EIN?
Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1797260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Solon E Summerfield Foundation Inc'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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