The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation
THE PEARLE W & MARTIN M SILVERSTEIN is a private foundation based in Providence, Rhode Island. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, with all reported grant dollars going to recipients in Rhode Island.
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation at a glance
In short: The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation gave $31K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $30,800
- -31.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,800
- +37.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $836,675
- +3.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (100% 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 Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 123 Dyer Street Ste 135, Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 861-0200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Gamm Theatre ($7K). Together the top 10 received $31K.
Grant Size Distribution
111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 111 grants of 111 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to organizations in Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation gives
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 65% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2020) to $96K (2022). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Gamm Theatre Warwick, RI | General Charitable Activities | $6,500 |
| City Year Providence Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $5,000 |
| Trinity Repertory Company Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $5,000 |
| Jewish Alliance of Greater RI Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $4,800 |
| The Wilbury Theatre Group Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $2,500 |
| United Way Rhode Island Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $2,500 |
| Rhode Island Legal Services Corporation Providence, RI | General Chartiable Activities | $1,500 |
| Mixed Magic Theater Pawtucket, RI | General Charitable Activities | $1,000 |
| Providence Promise Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities | $1,000 |
| Temple Beth-El Providence, RI | General Charitable Activities - Brotherhood | $750 |
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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 | $836,675 | $85,104 | $56,163 | $30,800 | 11 | $41,121 | $74,140 | $63,061 |
| 2023 | $807,734 | $60,637 | $69,210 | $44,750 | 22 | $59,342 | $50,769 | $56,376 |
| 2022 | $816,307 | $46,294 | $141,294 | $95,625 | 36 | $124,607 | $35,281 | $61,048 |
| 2021 | $911,307 | $136,660 | $81,020 | $53,775 | 41 | $69,166 | $123,316 | $67,582 |
| 2020 | $858,150 | $3,485 | $40,971 | $15,700 | 1 | — | $20,454 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $63K 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 grants included support for arts and theater organizations, education-related organizations, legal services, and other charitable organizations. These examples describe grantees, not the foundation’s own stated mission: Trinity Repertory Company says it uses dramatic art and educational programs to engage its community; The Wilbury Theatre Group says it creates professional theater that is affordable and accessible; Rhode Island Legal Services says it provides legal assistance to low-income people and eligible groups; and Providence Promise says it promotes educational opportunities for Providence public school students.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation gave 11 grants totaling $30,800. Grants ranged from $250 to $6,500, with a median of $2,500.
Among the largest reported grants were $6,500 to The Gamm Theatre, $5,000 each to City Year Providence and Trinity Repertory Company, and $4,800 to Jewish Alliance of Greater RI. Other grants included $2,500 each to The Wilbury Theatre Group and United Way Rhode Island, $1,500 to Rhode Island Legal Services Corporation, and $1,000 each to Mixed Magic Theater and Providence Promise.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Samuel Zurier as trustee.
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation is led by Samuel Zurier Trustee, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samuel Zurier Trustee
Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$13K (2021) → $12K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Samuel D. Zurier (2020) — Trustee
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 $12K, to Samuel Zurier Trustee (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation
How much does The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation give each year?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation gave $31K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $45K across 22 grants.
What is The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's typical grant size?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,800, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation give grants?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation gives mostly in Rhode Island: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Providence, RI (9 grants).
Does The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's largest grantees?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Gamm Theatre ($6,500), City Year Providence ($5,000) and Trinity Repertory Company ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation reported $837K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $41K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $63K (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 Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for arts and theater organizations, education-related organizations, legal services, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's EIN?
The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0442756. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Pearle W & Martin M Silverstein 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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