The Scherman Foundation Inc
The Scherman Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. It supports economic, political, and cultural transformation so Black, Indigenous, and People of Color can reclaim and build power, with grantmaking guided by racial justice, organizing, and movement-building.
The Scherman Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Scherman Foundation Inc gave $6.7M across 130 grants in 2024 (avg $52K), mostly in New York. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,720,617
- -4.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 130
- -11.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $51,697
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $111,698,013
- +3.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (20 of 107, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (60% 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 Scherman Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through Letters of Intent (LOIs). New applicants are directed to review the program guidelines and priorities, preview the LOI form, and submit through the online grant portal. The Foundation says it primarily supports current grantees and makes a limited number of new grants each year. Current grantees submit renewal applications through the portal; a new LOI is not required. The Reproductive Justice program is closed to new requests, and Strengthening New York Communities is not accepting new Housing and Land Use Justice proposals.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 LOI submission period was February 2 through April 17, 2026, and is past. The Foundation listed June 2026 for LOI decision notifications.
- Deadline
- The 2026 LOI submission period was February 2 through April 17, 2026, and is past.
- Contact
Application contact: Sami Stern
Mailing address: 16 E 52Nd St Ste 601, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 832-3086
Email: info@scherman.org
Website: https://scherman.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Scherman Foundation Inc
Scherman Foundation: Arts Program Grant
The Scherman Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Scherman Foundation: Democracy Program Grant
The Scherman Foundation Inc
Amount
US $40,000 - US $200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Scherman Foundation: Environmental & Climate Justice Program Grant
The Scherman Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Scherman Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New York Foundation ($400K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
740 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 396 grants of 740 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website identifies New York City and New York State as regional priorities for its Environmental & Climate Justice program, and its Strengthening New York Communities program focuses on New York. In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, followed by 14% to Washington, DC, 6% to California, and 4% each to Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 130 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Scherman Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 107 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $5.4M (2020) to $7.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 130 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Foundation San Francisco, CA | Program/Project Support | $225,000 |
| Arabella Advisors' Windward Fund Washington, DC | Program/Project Support | $200,000 |
| In Our Own Voice National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Washington, DC | Program/Project Support | $200,000 |
| United Way of NYC New York, NY | Program/Project Support | $200,000 |
| BVM Capacity Building Institute Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| New York Foundation New York, NY | Youth Organizing & Culture Change Fund | $150,000 |
| New York Foundation New York, NY | Neighborhoods First Fund | $150,000 |
| State Voices Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| National Partnership for New Americans Chicago, IL | Program/Project Support | $125,000 |
| New York City Environmental Justice Alliance Brooklyn, NY | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Scherman Foundation Inc?
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 | $111,698,013 | $13,319,729 | $9,456,059 | $6,720,617 | 130 | $8,132,024 | $12,146,512 | $6,756,021 |
| 2023 | $107,834,343 | $8,828,702 | $9,630,177 | $7,044,472 | 146 | $8,443,655 | $7,720,418 | $6,147,205 |
| 2022 | $108,635,818 | $1,302,378 | $9,382,866 | $6,688,060 | 136 | $7,936,120 | $70,472 | $6,778,077 |
| 2021 | $116,716,306 | $15,385,190 | $7,644,188 | $5,706,165 | 166 | $6,655,893 | $14,237,173 | $7,179,008 |
| 2020 | $108,975,304 | $4,104,386 | $7,346,573 | $5,417,505 | 162 | — | $3,231,904 | $6,231,513 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Scherman Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the economic, political, and cultural transformation necessary for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to reclaim and build power. Its framework emphasizes building intersectional racial justice movements, equitably resourced communities, and the cultural expression and storytelling of BIPOC artists and communities.
Its guidelines prioritize organizations accountable to or directed by BIPOC communities, organizations with intersectional work and practices, and organizations that work with others to build movements toward racial justice. The Foundation’s program areas include Arts, Democracy, Environmental & Climate Justice, Reproductive Justice, and Strengthening New York Communities.
Examples of grantees’ work include Tides Foundation, which says it makes grants to community-led organizations; BVM Capacity Building Institute, which says it helps build the capacity of community-based organizations working toward social justice; and State Voices, which says it uses data, technology, nonpartisan campaigns, and leadership-building to build a multiracial democracy. New York City Environmental Justice Alliance describes itself as a grassroots membership network organizing for environmental justice, while Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition says it works for racial and economic justice through intergenerational community organizing.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 130 grants totaling $6,720,617. Awards ranged from $34 to $225,000, with a median grant of $50,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $225,000 to Tides Foundation for program/project support; $200,000 each to Arabella Advisors’ Windward Fund, In Our Own Voice National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice, and United Way of NYC for program/project support; and $150,000 each to BVM Capacity Building Institute for general operating support, New York Foundation for its Youth Organizing & Culture Change Fund, New York Foundation for its Neighborhoods First Fund, and State Voices for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mitchell C. Pratt as President & CEO. Directors listed on that filing are Alexis Anderson-Reed, Rini Banerjee, Amy Bergtold, Miriam Buhl, Steven K. Choi, Rasu Jilani, Miles S. Rapoport, Marianna Schaffer, and Dr. Peter K. Sollins. Banerjee is also listed as Treasurer, Schaffer as Chair, and Sollins as Secretary.
The Scherman Foundation Inc is led by Mitchell C. Pratt, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mitchell C. Pratt
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$268K (2020) → $335K (2024)
Marianna Schaffer
Director & Chair
Director & Board Chair-Elected June → Director & Board Chair, 2022
Director & Board Chair → Director & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Bergtold
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miles S. Rapoport
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miriam Buhl
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter K. Sollins
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary-Elected June, 2021
Director & Secretary-Elected June → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rini Banerjee
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven K. Choi
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Anderson-Reed
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rasu Jilani
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Ibrahim Abdul-Matin (2023) — Director
- Former: Hillary Brown (2020–2022) — Director-
- Former: David R. Jones (2020–2021) — Director-
- Former: John Wroclawski (2020–2021) — Director-
- Former: Karen R. Sollins (2020–2021) — Director & Board Chair-
- Former: Susanna Bergtold (2020–2021) — Director & Secretary-
- Former: Gordon N. Litwin Esq. (2020) — Director
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 $335K, to Mitchell C Pratt (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Scherman Foundation Inc
How much does The Scherman Foundation Inc give each year?
The Scherman Foundation Inc gave $6.7M across 130 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.0M across 146 grants.
What is The Scherman Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Scherman Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $51,697, across 130 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Scherman Foundation Inc that year got $44K on average.
Where does The Scherman Foundation Inc give grants?
The Scherman Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (46 grants), Brooklyn, NY (21 grants), Washington, DC (9 grants) and Bronx, NY (8 grants).
Does The Scherman Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 77% of The Scherman Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (100 of 130) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program/Project Support" (26 grants).
Who are The Scherman Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Scherman Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include New York Foundation ($400,000 across 3 grants), Arabella Advisors' Windward Fund ($250,000 across 2 grants) and Tides Foundation ($225,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Scherman Foundation Inc?
The Scherman Foundation Inc reported $111.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Scherman Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the economic, political, and cultural transformation necessary for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to reclaim and build power. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Scherman Foundation Inc?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through Letters of Intent (LOIs). Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Scherman Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Scherman Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6098464. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Scherman Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Scherman Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-scherman-foundation-inc-morg_96c626b4646d41118b84c52ce047870f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136098464_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Scherman Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-scherman-foundation-inc-morg_96c626b4646d41118b84c52ce047870f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Scherman Foundation Inc'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 Scherman Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?