Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family
The Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family is a private foundation based in Ithaca, New York. Its 2025 filing reports $271,500 in grants to 15 organizations, supporting work that includes refugee resettlement, community services, arts, youth activities, and other causes.
Key facts about Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family
In short: Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family gave $272K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in New York. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 45-5339818
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $271,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- Average grant
- $18,100
- Median grant
- $12,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $2,748,089
- Primary geography
- New York (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.7M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$272K
+62.3% YoY
Grant Count
15
-6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+73.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family reported a distributable amount of $172K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 15 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 107% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 158% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas such as refugee and immigrant support, arts, youth development, assistance for people with ALS, social change, and support for people affected by incarceration or homelessness.
The grantees describe their work in their own terms. Ithaca Welcomes Refugees says it fosters a welcoming and fair environment for refugees and immigrants. Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County says it strengthens the arts and works to ensure equitable access. Tioga County Boys & Girls Club says it promotes the health, social, vocational, and character development of youth. Other grantees include The Cherry Arts, which describes its work as theatrical performance, arts space, and training; Compassionate Care ALS, which assists individuals and families with ALS; and More Than Words, which empowers youth facing challenges such as homelessness, foster care, or court involvement through business.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $271,500. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $65,000, with a median grant of $12,000. Its largest reported grants included $65,000 to Ithaca Welcomes Refugees for refugee resettlement in Tompkins County; $46,500 to Tioga County Rural Ministry for unmet needs of poor, sick, and elderly people; $24,000 to Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County to support the arts; and $20,000 to Tioga County Boys & Girls Club for children’s activities.
Other reported grants included $15,000 each to The Cherry Arts and Compassionate Care ALS; $14,000 to OARS of Concord; $12,000 to Center for Transformative Action; and $10,000 each to More Than Words, Opportunities Alternatives and Resources of Tompkins County, Rosie’s Place, and Weave Community.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 18% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $130K (2021) to $272K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $272K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ithaca Welcomes Refugees Inc ($65K). Together the top 10 received $232K.
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 64 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca Welcomes Refugees Inc Ithaca, NY | To Support Refugees Resettling in Tompkins County | $65,000 |
| Tioga County Rural Ministry (TCRM) Owego, NY | To provide unmet needs to the poor, sick and elderly | $46,500 |
| Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County Ithaca, NY | To Support the Arts | $24,000 |
| Tioga County Boys & Girls Club Inc Owego, NY | To Support Childrens' Activities | $20,000 |
| The Cherry Arts Ithaca, NY | To Supports Arts & Entertainment | $15,000 |
| Compassionate Care ALS Falmouth, MA | To support people diagnosed and families coping with als | $15,000 |
| Oars of Concord Concord, MA | To PROTECT,IMPROVE & Preserve Waterways | $14,000 |
| Center for Transformative Action Ithaca, NY | To Support Positive Social Change | $12,000 |
| More Than Words Waltham, MA | To Provide Young Adults with Job Training | $10,000 |
| Opportunities Alternatives and Resources of Tompkins County Inc Ithaca, NY | To Assist Incarcerated Individuals and Their Families | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,748,089 | $285,098 | $289,319 | $271,500 | 15 |
| 2024 | $2,752,310 | $758,693 | $200,910 | $167,275 | 16 |
| 2023 | $2,194,527 | $152,565 | $160,962 | $138,000 | 12 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,748,089 | $2,752,310 | $2,194,527 |
| Revenue | $285,098 | $758,693 | $152,565 |
| Expenses | $289,319 | $200,910 | $160,962 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $271,500 | $167,275 | $138,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $231,306 | $350,373 | $129,602 |
| Distributable Amount | $172,178 | $140,668 | $132,166 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Marcy C. Schaeffer as director and president; Kelsey Jane Gardner as director and treasurer; Leslie D. Wagner as director and assistant treasurer; James R. Franz as director and secretary; Andrea I. Kabcenell as director and assistant secretary; and Julie A. Schaeffer as director and vice president.
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family is led by Marcy C. Schaeffer, Director & President on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marcy C. Schaeffer
Director & President
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea I. Kabcenell
Director & Assistant Secretary
Director & Vice President → Director, 2020
Director → Director & Assistant Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James R. Franz
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie A. Schaeffer
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2020
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelsey Jane Gardner
Director & Treasurer
Director & Assistant Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie D. Wagner
Director & Assistant Treasurer
Director → Director & Assistant Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Steven F. Schaeffer (2019–2022) — Director & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3844, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 723-5341
Frequently asked questions about Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family
How much does Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family give each year?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family gave $272K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $167K across 16 grants.
What is Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's typical grant size?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $18,100, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family that year got $9K on average.
Where does Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family give grants?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family gives mostly in New York: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ithaca, NY (9 grants) and Owego, NY (2 grants).
Does Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's largest grantees?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's largest 2025 grantees include Ithaca Welcomes Refugees Inc ($65,000), Tioga County Rural Ministry (TCRM) ($46,500) and Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County ($24,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $272K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $172K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas such as refugee and immigrant support, arts, youth development, assistance for people with ALS, social change, and support for people affected by incarceration or homelessness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family?
The foundation states that it 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 Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's EIN?
Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5339818. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Steven and Marcy Schaeffer Family 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.
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