Sy Syms Foundation
The Sy Syms Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1985 by retail entrepreneur and humanitarian Sy Syms, founder of the Syms Corp., a chain of designer clothing retail stores that operated across the United States until 2011. Based in Warren, New Jersey, the foundation functions as a grantmaking organization supporting a diverse range of causes including education, media, Jewish welfare, medical research, and the arts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.5M
-6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-31.2% YoY
Grant Count
39
-31.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
+0.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sy Syms Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on supporting education and advancing progress through philanthropic giving. Primary funding areas include:
- Education: Support for institutions of higher learning, scholarship funds, and leadership development programs
- Media and Broadcasting: Underwriting of public television and radio programming
- Medical Research: Funding for organizations addressing heart disease, neurological conditions, cancer, and other health challenges
- Jewish Organizations and Welfare: Support for Jewish cultural, educational, and social service institutions
- Arts and Culture: Funding for museums, performing arts organizations, and cultural institutions
- Civic and Community Services: Support for social service organizations and community development initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for organizations in education, medical research, public broadcasting, and Jewish causes. Notable recipients have included the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University, Inner City Scholarship Fund, Coro New York Leadership Center, Young People's Leadership Foundation, American Heart Association, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Lincoln Center, WNYC, Museum of Jewish Heritage, American Museum of Natural History, The Jewish Museum, and Amnesty International.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, with a national scope for certain program areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending April 2024:
- Total Assets: $29,540,606
- Total Revenues: $1,135,503
- Total Expenses: $3,233,226
- Total Giving: $2,188,320
- Investment Income and Dividends: $998,010
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $137,493
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since October 1986 EIN: 22-2617727
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,540,606 | $31,638,329 | $35,039,800 |
| Revenue | $1,135,503 | $52,846 | $5,071,944 |
| Expenses | $3,233,226 | $3,454,317 | $3,776,084 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,218,347 | $3,207,663 | $3,447,191 |
| Net Investment Income | $138,161 | $819,036 | $4,779,535 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,588,600 | $1,676,604 | $1,970,764 |
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
189 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include National Public Radio Inc ($300,000), Wnet-new York Public Media ($299,820), Gesher Foundation USA ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MS FOUNDATION WARREN, NJ | CHARITABLE EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| JEWISH FUNDERS NETWORK WARREN, NJ | CHARITABLE EDUCATION | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN New York, NY | Charitable Medical | $50,000 |
| American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic New York, NY | Charitable Arts Musical Grant | $100,000 |
| BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION Phoenix, AZ | Charitable Medical | $100,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW New York, NY | Chariitble Educational | $100,000 |
| EDUCATION FUND OF THE WOMEN'S THE New York, NY | Charitable Educational | $25,000 |
| Forward Foundation NEW YORK, NY | Charitable Media | $100,000 |
| Gesher Foundation USA NEW YORK, NY | Charitable Community Service | $200,000 |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER NEW YORK New York, NY | Charitable Recr Conservation | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's trustees include Marcy Syms Merns and Mark Freiberg.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCY SYMS MERNS | TRUSTEE & PRESIDENT | 5 | $15,500 |
| MARK FREIBERG | TRUSTEE & TREASURER | 5 | $15,500 |
| LYNN TAMARKIN SYMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | $15,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced the launch of the Sy Syms Endowment for Journalistic Excellence in partnership with The Forward, supporting quality journalism and journalistic excellence.
The Forward Announces Launch of the Sy Syms Endowment for Journalistic ExcellenceThe foundation has maintained active engagement with community service initiatives, including support for organizations serving vulnerable populations and advancing social welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sy Syms Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on supporting education and advancing progress through philanthropic giving. Primary funding areas include: • **Education**: Support for institutions of higher learning, scholarship funds, and leadership development programs • **Media and Broadcasting**: Underwriting of public television and radio programming • **Medical Research**: Funding for organizations addressing heart disease, neurological conditions, cancer, and other health challenges • **Jewish Organiz…
How do I apply for a grant from Sy Syms Foundation?
**Grant Amounts**: Typical awards range from $1,500 to $562,500. **Recent Grant Activity** (Fiscal Year Ending April 2024): • National Public Radio (NPR) - $300,000 (Charitable Arts Musical Grant) • American Friends of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra - $100,000 (Charitable Arts Musical Grant) • Barrow Neurological Foundation - $100,000 (Charitable Medical) The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for organizations in education, medical research, public broadcasting, and Jewish causes. N…
Where does Sy Syms Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, with a national scope for certain program areas.
What size grants does Sy Syms Foundation award?
In 2024, Sy Syms Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sy Syms Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sy Syms Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sy Syms Foundation's EIN?
Sy Syms Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2617727. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sy Syms 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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