The Robert & Christina Silberman
The Robert & Christina Silberman is a private foundation based in Potomac, Maryland. In 2024, it gave $280,736 through 17 grants to charitable organizations.
The Robert & Christina Silberman at a glance
In short: The Robert & Christina Silberman gave $281K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), top state Texas. 82% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $280,736
- +60.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +142.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,514
- -34.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,646,117
- +0.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 82% first-time grantees (14 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Robert & Christina Silberman
- 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: 10828 Alloway Drive, Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: (301) 299-1634
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Robert & Christina Silberman funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Southern Methodist University ($100K). Together the top 10 received $231K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 48 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Among 2024 grant dollars, 38% went to recipients in Texas, 22% to recipients in the District of Columbia, 10% to California, 9% to New York, and 5% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Robert & Christina Silberman open to new grantees?
82%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 17 grantees (82%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 18% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 81% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% 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 (2020–2024). 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 $155K (2021) to $281K (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $281K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX | Operating Gift | $100,000 |
| The National Theatre Foundation Washington, DC | Operating Gift | $26,000 |
| DC Bar Pro Bono Program Washington, DC | Operating Gift | $25,000 |
| MK9 Service Dogs Vienna, VA | Operating Gift | $15,000 |
| Sankaty Head Foundation Siasconset, MA | Operating Gift | $13,975 |
| DC Prepatory Academy Washington, DC | Operating Gift | $11,000 |
| Children's Hospital Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Operating Gift | $10,000 |
| Earth Justice San Francisco, CA | Operating Gift | $10,000 |
| Elevated Access Champaign, IL | Operating Gift | $10,000 |
| Everytown for Gun Safety New York, NY | Operating Gift | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Robert & Christina Silberman?
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 | $3,646,117 | $291,062 | $287,375 | $280,736 | 17 | $280,736 | $290,423 | $302,673 |
| 2023 | $3,642,430 | $99,555 | $183,039 | $175,459 | 7 | $175,459 | $98,975 | $256,741 |
| 2022 | $3,725,914 | $141,251 | $243,003 | $235,432 | 9 | $235,432 | $140,680 | $249,023 |
| 2021 | $3,827,666 | $143,174 | $159,795 | $154,814 | 7 | $154,814 | $142,693 | $266,173 |
| 2020 | $3,844,287 | $89,536 | $182,672 | $178,499 | 8 | — | $85,363 | $235,017 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert & Christina Silberman reported a distributable amount of $303K 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 went to organizations with varied missions. For example, Southern Methodist University describes its mission as education through research and teaching; the National Theatre Foundation says it preserves and oversees the theatre while presenting educational and community programs; and Elevated Access says its volunteer pilots provide free transportation to healthcare. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions involve investigative journalism, support for young men through a summer caddie program, and creating homes for young people who have aged out of foster care.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $280,736. Grants ranged from $3,971 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $100,000 to Southern Methodist University, $26,000 to the National Theatre Foundation, $25,000 to the DC Bar Pro Bono Program, and $15,000 to MK9 Service Dogs. Other recipients included Sankaty Head Foundation ($13,975), DC Preparatory Academy ($11,000), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles ($10,000), Earthjustice ($10,000), Elevated Access ($10,000), Everytown for Gun Safety ($10,000), and ProPublica ($10,000). The filing lists the purposes of these grants as operating gifts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert S Silberman and Christina J Silberman as trustees.
The Robert & Christina Silberman's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christina J. Silberman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robert S. Silberman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Robert & Christina Silberman
How much does The Robert & Christina Silberman give each year?
The Robert & Christina Silberman gave $281K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $175K across 7 grants.
What is The Robert & Christina Silberman's typical grant size?
The Robert & Christina Silberman's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,514, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert & Christina Silberman that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Robert & Christina Silberman give grants?
The Robert & Christina Silberman's top state is Texas, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (22%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Robert & Christina Silberman give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Robert & Christina Silberman's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert & Christina Silberman's largest grantees?
The Robert & Christina Silberman's largest 2024 grantees include Southern Methodist University ($100,000), The National Theatre Foundation ($26,000) and DC Bar Pro Bono Program ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert & Christina Silberman?
The Robert & Christina Silberman reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $281K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $303K (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 Robert & Christina Silberman fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert & Christina Silberman?
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 Robert & Christina Silberman's EIN?
The Robert & Christina Silberman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1500614. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Robert & Christina Silberman 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
Live grants for the work The Robert & Christina Silberman funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert & Christina Silberman's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Maryland
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
The Keith Campbell Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Keith Campbell Foundation funds nonprofits working for equitable, livable communities, especially on watershed health, clean water, agriculture, and related community needs, with a focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and California’s San Francisco Bay watershed. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests, with two application cycles per year.
Assets
$420.2M
Grants
688
Total Given
$27.9M
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funds cystic fibrosis research, drug development, specialized care, and related training and clinical programs. In 2024, its grants had a median of about $150,000, with awards ranging from $2,800 to nearly $12.9 million; it supports work nationwide. Applications are submitted through specific funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$5.0B
Grants
624
Total Given
$189.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert & Christina Silberman funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-christina-silberman-morg_4f2f9aa991874eaaaf99b791d097393a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261500614_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert \& Christina Silberman funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-christina-silberman-morg_4f2f9aa991874eaaaf99b791d097393a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Robert & Christina Silberman'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 Robert & Christina Silberman down — hundreds of funders to go?