The Scheerer Family Foundation
The Scheerer Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Ojai, California. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including contributions for human services, education, and the environment, as well as donor-advised fund contributions.
The Scheerer Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Scheerer Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $274K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,195,730
- +2827.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +166.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $274,466
- +997.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $42,500
- Primary geography
- Maryland (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Scheerer Family 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: 139 Oak Glen Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023
Phone: (805) 640-6961
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Scheerer Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Impactassets Inc ($1.3M). Together the top 8 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 62 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Maryland (60%), New York (19%), and Ohio (17%), with smaller shares going to Texas (3%) and California (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Scheerer Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1657% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 78% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2024) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Impactassets Inc Bethesda, MD | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $1,320,730 |
| American Endowment Foundation Donor Advised Fund New York, NY | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $365,000 |
| Fidelity Charitable Cincinnati, OH | Donor Advised Fund Contribution | $365,000 |
| Thank You Life Austin, TX | To support organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment | $60,000 |
| Deuce Community Inc Venice, CA | To support organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment | $25,000 |
| Amber Waves Farm Amagansett, NY | To support organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment | $20,000 |
| Mott Haven Academy Charter School Bronx, NY | To support organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment | $20,000 |
| Ola of Eastern Long Island Sagaponack, NY | To support organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $38,848 | $2,237,034 | $2,195,730 | 8 | $2,225,963 | $27,777 | — |
| 2024 | $2,198,186 | $-53,186 | $121,191 | $75,000 | 3 | $82,912 | $3,377 | $106,634 |
| 2023 | $2,372,563 | $-40,545 | $160,419 | $121,000 | 15 | $125,609 | $2,522 | $107,887 |
| 2022 | $2,573,527 | $18,235 | $191,101 | $125,000 | 19 | $129,115 | — | $132,315 |
| 2021 | $2,746,393 | $766,044 | $131,119 | $100,000 | 17 | — | $739,490 | $120,076 |
| 2020 | $2,111,468 | $203,863 | $140,417 | $111,000 | 19 | — | $172,958 | $114,649 |
| 2019 | $2,048,022 | $145,883 | $122,568 | $100,100 | 21 | — | $126,110 | $114,707 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. In 2025, it made several grants with the stated purpose of supporting organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment. It also made three large donor-advised fund contributions.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Thank You Life says it provides access to legalized psychedelic therapy and helps cover ketamine-assisted psychotherapy costs for people who cannot afford them. Amber Waves Farm describes its work as providing educational opportunities for aspiring growers, cooks, and eaters. Mott Haven Academy Charter School says it combines family support services with a college-preparatory academic program. OLA of Eastern Long Island describes work advocating for Latino immigrants and building community leadership and connections.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 8 grants totaling $2,195,730. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $1,320,730, with a median of $42,500. The three largest grants were donor-advised fund contributions: $1,320,730 to ImpactAssets Inc., $365,000 to the American Endowment Foundation Donor Advised Fund, and $365,000 to Fidelity Charitable.
Other reported 2025 grants included $60,000 to Thank You Life and $25,000 to Deuce Community Inc. Amber Waves Farm, Mott Haven Academy Charter School, and OLA of Eastern Long Island each received $20,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Laura Whitney as president; Hillary Scheerer and Thomas Scheerer as vice presidents; Jane Parkes as secretary; and Idoline Duke as treasurer.
The Scheerer Family Foundation is led by Laura Whitney, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura Whitney
President
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hillary Scheerer
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Idoline Duke
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Parkes
Secretary
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Scheerer
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Scheerer Family Foundation
How much does The Scheerer Family Foundation give each year?
The Scheerer Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $75K across 3 grants.
What is The Scheerer Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Scheerer Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $42,500, and its average grant was $274,466, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Scheerer Family Foundation give grants?
The Scheerer Family Foundation gives mostly in Maryland: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (19%) and Ohio (17%).
Does The Scheerer Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Scheerer Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donor Advised Fund Contribution" (3 grants).
Who are The Scheerer Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Scheerer Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Impactassets Inc ($1,320,730), American Endowment Foundation Donor Advised Fund ($365,000) and Fidelity Charitable ($365,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
What does The Scheerer Family Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. In 2025, it made several grants with the stated purpose of supporting organizations involved with human services, education, and the environment. It also made three large donor-advised fund contributions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Scheerer Family 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 Scheerer Family Foundation's EIN?
The Scheerer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0552623. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Scheerer Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 15, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Figures come from The Scheerer Family Foundation'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.
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