The Karen and Herbert Lotman
The Karen and Herbert Lotman is a private foundation based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It makes direct contributions to qualified charities; its 2025 filing lists grants to organizations in Pennsylvania and New York, including arts, community, and health-related organizations.
The Karen and Herbert Lotman at a glance
In short: The Karen and Herbert Lotman gave $334K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $334,316
- +15.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $41,790
- +72.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,023
- Total assets
- $1,304,906
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Karen and Herbert Lotman
- How to Apply
-
Send a letter to Shelly Lotman Fisher stating the grant request, the reason funds are needed, and the purpose for which they will be used.
- Review Cycle
- August 31 of each fiscal year.
- Deadline
- August 31 of each fiscal year.
- Contact
Application contact: Shelly Lotman Fisher
Mailing address: 1127 W Lancaster Avenue, Suite U-3, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Phone: (610) 234-0090
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Karen and Herbert Lotman funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Breakthrough T1D FKA JDRF ($140K). Together the top 8 received $334K.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 47 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 42% to recipients in New York. The listed awards include organizations in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, as well as New York recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Karen and Herbert Lotman gives
- Giving fell 69% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 490% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2019) to $1.1M (2022). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $334K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough T1D FKA JDRF New York, NY | Contribution | $139,521 |
| The Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Contribution | $125,000 |
| The Philly Service Awards Brun Mawr, PA | Contribution | $25,000 |
| Main Line Art Center Haverford, PA | Contribution | $20,000 |
| Catering by Design Philadelphia, PA | Contribution | $16,045 |
| Main Line Heart Center Wynnewood, PA | Contribution | $5,000 |
| Say New York, NY | Contribution | $2,500 |
| The Barnes Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Contribution | $1,250 |
Ready to take the next step with The Karen and Herbert Lotman?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,304,906 | $191,551 | $336,513 | $334,316 | 8 | $334,316 | $40,579 | $68,273 |
| 2024 | $1,490,487 | $150,330 | $291,502 | $289,986 | 12 | $289,986 | $45,859 | $73,816 |
| 2023 | $1,532,985 | $160,390 | $384,640 | $380,295 | 8 | $383,202 | $44,327 | $79,949 |
| 2022 | $1,688,913 | $259,699 | $1,072,469 | $1,068,300 | 8 | $1,071,150 | $49,096 | $117,437 |
| 2020 | $3,071,848 | $145,678 | $244,046 | $237,825 | 11 | — | $63,187 | $148,159 |
| 2019 | $2,996,082 | $93,843 | $16,692 | $11,000 | 2 | — | $70,857 | $122,725 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Karen and Herbert Lotman reported a distributable amount of $68K for 2025 — 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 grants include support for organizations with varied purposes. The Main Line Art Center describes its mission as inspiring artistic creativity for all ages and abilities and strengthening the role of visual art in community life. The Philadelphia Foundation says it works with individuals, families, and businesses to address community needs. The Barnes Foundation describes its purpose as advancing education and appreciation of fine arts and horticulture.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 8 grants totaling $334,316. Grant amounts ranged from $1,250 to $139,521, with a median of $18,022. The largest awards were $139,521 to BREAKTHROUGH T1D FKA JDRF and $125,000 to The Philadelphia Foundation. Other listed grants included $25,000 to The Philly Service Awards, $20,000 to Main Line Art Center, and $16,045 to Catering by Design.
In 2024, the foundation gave $50,000 to The Philadelphia Foundation, $20,000 to Main Line Art Center, and $1,250 to The Barnes Foundation.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. It requests a letter stating the grant request, why the funds are needed, and how they will be used. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Lotman as president, George Ginader as assistant secretary, Jeffrey Lotman as treasurer, and Shelly Lotman Fisher as secretary.
The Karen and Herbert Lotman is led by Karen Lotman, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen Lotman
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Ginader
Ass't Secretary
Ass't Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2022
Assistant Secretary → Ass't Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Lotman
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Lotman Fisher
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jeffery Lotman (2022–2023) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about The Karen and Herbert Lotman
How much does The Karen and Herbert Lotman give each year?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman gave $334K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $290K across 12 grants.
What is The Karen and Herbert Lotman's typical grant size?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman's median grant in 2025 was $18,023, and its average grant was $41,790, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Karen and Herbert Lotman give grants?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (42%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Karen and Herbert Lotman give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Karen and Herbert Lotman's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Contribution" (8 grants).
Who are The Karen and Herbert Lotman's largest grantees?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman's largest 2025 grantees include Breakthrough T1D FKA JDRF ($139,521), The Philadelphia Foundation ($125,000) and The Philly Service Awards ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Karen and Herbert Lotman?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $334K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $68K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Karen and Herbert Lotman fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied purposes. The Main Line Art Center describes its mission as inspiring artistic creativity for all ages and abilities and strengthening the role of visual art in community life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Karen and Herbert Lotman?
Send a letter to Shelly Lotman Fisher stating the grant request, the reason funds are needed, and the purpose for which they will be used. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Karen and Herbert Lotman's EIN?
The Karen and Herbert Lotman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2429821. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Karen and Herbert Lotman's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Carole Landis Foundation for Social
Haverford, PA
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$405K
The Forman Family Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Forman Family Foundation’s 2024 grants supported education, arts and culture, gender equity, religious institutions, and community organizations in Missouri and Pennsylvania; these grants do not establish formal funding priorities. It awarded 7 grants totaling $475,000, ranging from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. The foundation funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$51.7M
Grants
7
Total Given
$475K
Daniel M Tabas Family Foundation
Haverford, PA
The foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including conservation, healthcare, education, and community services, primarily in Pennsylvania. In 2024, its grants ranged from $180 to $35,000, with a median of $2,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
9
Total Given
$86K
The Saul and Bernardine Kaplan
Philadelphia, PA
The Saul and Bernardine Kaplan funds charitable organizations across varied areas, with most of its grants going to Pennsylvania and a smaller share to Maryland. Recent awards ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$316K
Grants
13
Total Given
$70K
Neubauer Family Charitable Trust
Mountain View, CA
The Neubauer Family Charitable Trust funds education, arts and culture, and youth development, with recent grants concentrated in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $44,640 to $4.5 million, with a median of $112,500; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$290.5M
Grants
14
Total Given
$10.0M
Richard Allan Barry Family Charitable Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The foundation supports organizations in education, health, human rights, and public media, with 2024 grants ranging from $5,000 to $185,000 and a median grant of $25,000. Based in Los Angeles, it funded organizations across several states, especially California, Massachusetts, and New York. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.8M
Grants
17
Total Given
$696K
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Karen and Herbert Lotman's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Karen and Herbert Lotman down — hundreds of funders to go?