The Forman Family Foundation
The Forman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations in Missouri and Pennsylvania, including a university, a synagogue, a performing arts organization, and community-focused nonprofits.
The Forman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Forman Family Foundation gave $475K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $68K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $475,000
- -75.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -46.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $67,857
- -54.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $51,705,632
- +6.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (63% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Forman Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 201 Rouse Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19112
Phone: (215) 495-1160
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Forman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Washington University ($300K). Together the top 7 received $475K.
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 120 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in Missouri and Pennsylvania. Missouri received 63% of grant dollars and Pennsylvania received 37%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Forman Family Foundation gives
- Giving fell 85% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 23% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $475K (2024) to $13.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $475K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington University St. Louis, MO | Forman Family Foundation Scholarship | $300,000 |
| Rodeph Sholom Congregation Philadelphia, PA | Endowment Campaign - Support the Synagogue | $75,000 |
| Drexel University Philadelphia, PA | Support for Cara Fry Endowment | $50,000 |
| The Cat Collaborative Philadelphia, PA | General support for the cat collaborative's inauglural gala supporting its mission to reduce cat overpopulation and improve feline welfare through community-based programs, rescue partnerships, and affordable care initiatives. | $25,000 |
| Opera Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Women's Way Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $10,000 |
| The Clay Studio Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51,705,632 | $837,894 | $770,561 | $475,000 | 7 | $547,371 | $1,974,142 | $2,340,593 |
| 2023 | $48,460,122 | $2,445,200 | $2,179,496 | $1,953,667 | 13 | $1,323,404 | $2,621,970 | $2,206,724 |
| 2022 | $46,793,519 | $2,386,977 | $8,948,874 | $8,574,688 | 37 | $1,657,034 | $1,395,004 | $2,027,946 |
| 2021 | $54,933,768 | $58,162 | $3,364,037 | $3,157,333 | 45 | $3,086,704 | $3,396,934 | $2,444,412 |
| 2020 | $49,423,957 | $17,722 | $13,820,824 | $13,095,250 | 18 | — | $905,000 | $2,280,061 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Forman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 giving included support for education, a synagogue endowment campaign, opera, gender equity, ceramic arts, and feline welfare. These are areas represented by the grantees, not stated foundation priorities. For example, Drexel University describes its mission as preparing students for professional and civic lives and applying its expertise to societal problems; Opera Philadelphia describes its work as producing grand opera and educational programs; and The Clay Studio says it provides learning opportunities in ceramic arts. Women’s Way says it works to achieve gender equity by building collective power.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 7 grants totaling $475,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest award was $300,000 to Washington University for the Forman Family Foundation Scholarship. Other notable grants included $75,000 to Rodeph Sholom Congregation for its endowment campaign, $50,000 to Drexel University for the Cara Fry Endowment, and $25,000 to The Cat Collaborative for general support. The foundation also gave $10,000 each to Opera Philadelphia and Women’s Way for general support, and $5,000 to The Clay Studio for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Laura Sparks as president; Thomas Trala as treasurer, secretary, and CFO; and Michael C. Forman and Jennifer S. Rice as trustees.
The Forman Family Foundation is led by Laura Sparks, President on the 2024 filing; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laura Sparks
President
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$40K (2024)
Jennifer S. Rice
Trustee
Vice President → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael C. Forman
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Trala
Treasurer, Secretary & CFO
Treasurer & Secretary → Treasurer, Secretary & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$79K (2021) → $43K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $43K, to Thomas Trala (Treasurer/Secretary/CFO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Forman Family Foundation
How much does The Forman Family Foundation give each year?
The Forman Family Foundation gave $475K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 13 grants.
What is The Forman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Forman Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $67,857, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Forman Family Foundation give grants?
The Forman Family Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (37%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (6 grants).
Does The Forman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 57% of The Forman Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Forman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Forman Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Washington University ($300,000), Rodeph Sholom Congregation ($75,000) and Drexel University ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Forman Family Foundation?
The Forman Family Foundation reported $51.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $547K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Forman Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 giving included support for education, a synagogue endowment campaign, opera, gender equity, ceramic arts, and feline welfare. These are areas represented by the grantees, not stated foundation priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Forman Family Foundation?
The foundation 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 The Forman Family Foundation's EIN?
The Forman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-7106076. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Forman Family Foundation 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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Forman Family Foundation funds
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