The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family
The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2009 and based in Baltimore, Maryland. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private foundation under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
+35.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$344K
+23.1% YoY
Grant Count
39
+18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+4.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family reported a distributable amount of $255K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds unrestricted grants to a variety of organizations. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports:
- Arts and cultural organizations
- Libraries and educational institutions
- Jewish community organizations and causes
Grantmaking
The foundation primarily makes unrestricted grants, allowing recipient organizations flexibility in how funds are deployed.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in the Baltimore, Maryland area, though it also supports national organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,136,258
- Total Revenues: $1,990,402
- Total Expenses: $383,222
- Investment Income and Dividends: $54,194
- Number of Employees: 0
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $4,530,000
- Total Revenues: $155,000
- Total Expenses: $295,000
Tax-Exempt Status: The foundation has been tax-exempt since July 2009 (EIN: 26-3853840). Donations to the organization are tax-deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,136,258 | $4,529,078 | $4,668,542 |
| Revenue | $1,990,402 | $155,410 | $131,275 |
| Expenses | $383,222 | $294,874 | $369,081 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $343,934 | $279,500 | $328,100 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,951,189 | $140,036 | $90,294 |
| Distributable Amount | $255,334 | $267,847 | $286,156 |
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
167 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ($50,000), Beth Am - Carob Tree Fund ($50,000), Planned Parenthood National ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Jewish World Services New York, NY | Unrestricted | $6,000 |
| Baltimore Banner Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Baltimore Clayworks Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Baltimore Jewlery Center Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Baltimore Museum of Art Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Beth Am Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $11,934 |
| Beth Am - Carob Tree Fund Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Blue Water Baltimore Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Fishman | Vice-President | 1 | — |
| Jonathan Fishman | President & Treasurer | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family fund?
The foundation primarily funds unrestricted grants to a variety of organizations. Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports: • Arts and cultural organizations • Libraries and educational institutions • Jewish community organizations and causes
How do I apply for a grant from The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2024, the foundation made 26 grants totaling approximately $256,934 • Recent grantees include: • Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ($50,000) • Enoch Pratt Free Library ($15,000) • National Jewish Fund for Legal Education ($15,000) **Grant Type:** The foundation primarily makes unrestricted grants, allowing recipient organizations flexibility in how funds are deployed.
Where does The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in the Baltimore, Maryland area, though it also supports national organizations.
What size grants does The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family award?
In 2024, The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family awarded 39 grants totaling $344K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family reported a distributable amount of $255K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family's EIN?
The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3853840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nelson & Sara Fishman Family'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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