The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer
The Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation incorporated in 1958 and headquartered in Towson, Maryland. The foundation was established by Alvin and Fanny Blaustein Thalheimer to perpetuate their philanthropic tradition. After 65 years of grantmaking, the foundation is currently sunsetting, having distributed over $55 million in philanthropic giving throughout its history.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
-27.7% YoY
Grant Count
15
-21.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$147K
-8.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's work is rooted in tzedakah—the Jewish value of assisting people in need in a dignified way. Through its grantmaking programs, the foundation aims to remove structural and institutional impediments to human development and have a positive lasting effect on people's lives.
The foundation's primary mission focuses on improving the lives of Baltimore residents by supporting:
- Quality public education and literacy initiatives
- Workforce development and job opportunity programs
- Basic needs support for Baltimore's most disadvantaged people
- Jewish continuity and community development in Baltimore, Europe, and the countries of the former Soviet Union
Recent grantmaking priorities have centered on increasing access to quality education for Baltimore residents, with a specific focus on literacy initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants for general support, program grants, and project support to organizations aligned with its mission.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, with particular emphasis on the Baltimore area. Additional funding activity extends to Washington, D.C., Boston, Bronxville, North East, and Philadelphia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $332,394
- Total Revenue: $1,593,651
- Total Expenses: $3,137,216
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 1
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $332,394 | $1,875,959 |
| Revenue | $2,032,682 | $1,593,651 | $267,590 |
| Expenses | $2,366,445 | $3,137,216 | $541,820 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,340,770 | $3,118,185 | $434,940 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,020,888 | $1,574,744 | $163,210 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,753 | $173,961 | $275,796 |
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
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Health Care for the Homeless Inc ($278,314), Fund for Educational Excellence ($250,000), Brooklyn Public Library ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $278,314 |
| MARYLAND FOOD BANK INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $23,313 |
| BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY BROOKLYN, NY | PROGRAM GRANT | $250,000 |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT INC DBA TAKEROOT JUSTICE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $125,000 |
| STEEP ROCK ASSOCIATION INC WASHINGTON, CT | PROGRAM GRANT | $250,000 |
| YOUTH REPRESENT NEW YORK, NY | PROGRAM GRANT | $250,000 |
| ADELANTE LATINA INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ASSOCIATED CATHOLIC CHARITIES INC BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART BALTIMORE, MD | PROGRAM GRANT | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Louis B. Thalheimer — President/Director
- Marjorie T. Coleman — Vice President/Director
- Rebecca Sirody — Executive Director/Secretary
- Deborah T Long — Executive Director (as of 2022)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOUIS B THALHEIMER | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARJORIE T COLEMAN | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIET A EURICH | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA T ROSENBLATT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATRIN WACHS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA SIRODY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 30 | $111,923 |
| REBEKAH T COLEMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced in 2023 that it is sunsetting after 65 years of grantmaking. A full statement regarding the foundation's transition is available on the foundation's grantmaking page. For additional questions, organizations may contact Rebecca Sirody at rsirody@thalheimerfoundation.org.
The foundation's website is www.thalheimerfoundation.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer fund?
The foundation's work is rooted in *tzedakah*—the Jewish value of assisting people in need in a dignified way. Through its grantmaking programs, the foundation aims to remove structural and institutional impediments to human development and have a positive lasting effect on people's lives. The foundation's primary mission focuses on improving the lives of Baltimore residents by supporting: • Quality public education and literacy initiatives • Workforce development and job opportunity programs •…
How do I apply for a grant from The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $3,045,000 • Number of grants: 60 • Typical award range: $500–$500,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Maryland Food Bank: $500,000 (General Support) • Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): $500,000 (Program Grant) • Fund for Educational Excellence: $250,000 (General Support) The foundation makes grants for general support, program grants, and project support to organizations aligned with its mission.
Where does The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, with particular emphasis on the Baltimore area. Additional funding activity extends to Washington, D.C., Boston, Bronxville, North East, and Philadelphia.
What size grants does The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer award?
In 2024, The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer awarded 15 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $147K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer reported a distributable amount of $8K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer's EIN?
The Alvin and Fanny B Thalheimer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6038383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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