The Sherman Family Foundation
The Sherman Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2006 and based in Mission Woods, Kansas. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation focused on philanthropic investments in nonprofits serving vulnerable young people.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.7M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.5M
+4.3% YoY
Grant Count
116
+0.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+3.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sherman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Sherman Family Foundation invests in nonprofits that serve vulnerable young people who are the hardest to reach, with the greatest obstacles to overcome on their way to leading a productive adult life. The foundation's investments help organizations grow their reach and strengthen their programs to benefit the greatest number of young people in the most positive way possible.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Early Childhood: Expanding early learning that is affordable, accessible, and high quality; infant and maternal health; and family supports
- K-12 Education: Improving outcomes in schools in literacy and mathematics achievement; promoting teacher pipelines; supporting opportunities in STEM and the arts; and longitudinal youth programs
- Children, Youth, and Families: Supporting children and families through approaches that leverage the strengths of multiple generations and affirm youth and young people
Grantmaking
The foundation is highly active in grantmaking, with 113 grants awarded in 2023 totaling approximately $5.2 million. Grant sizes range from $3,000 to $640,000, with a median grant of $20,000.
Grant Range
s range from $3,000 to $640,000, with a median grant of $20,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Missouri, Kansas, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $39,005,248
- Total Revenues: $2,769,846
- Total Expenses: $5,944,440
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Annual Giving Rate: 13.2% of assets
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $1,001,369
- Investment income and dividends: $1,045,348
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,657,521 | $39,005,248 | $41,548,194 |
| Revenue | $6,716,826 | $2,769,846 | $14,481,973 |
| Expenses | $6,274,544 | $5,944,440 | $6,242,875 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,994,367 | $5,686,063 | $5,962,709 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,992,614 | $1,561,976 | $2,278,165 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,901,367 | $2,625,953 | $2,219,022 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cristo Rey Kansas City ($450,408), Cornerstones of Care ($100,595), Earlystart ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCELERATED SCHOOLS OF OVERLAND PARK OVERLAND PARK, KS | TO SUPPORT A NON-TRADITIONAL, ACCREDITED SCHOOL. | $40,000 |
| ALIGNED SHAWNEE MISSION, KS | TO SUPPORT BROAD-BASED EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS IN MO AND KS. | $20,000 |
| AMETHYST PLACE KANSAS CITY, MA | TO SUPPORT A HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR TRAUMA. | $80,000 |
| ARTISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS KANSAS CITY, MO | PROVIDE AID AND SERVICE FOR THE HOMELESS. | $7,500 |
| ARTS ENGAGEMENT FOUNDATION OF KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | SUPPORTS THE CITY'S ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. | $2,500 |
| AVENUE OF LIFE KANSAS CITY, KS | TO SUPPORT URBAN FAMILIES TO REDUCE THE DROP OUT RATE. | $23,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS KANSAS CITY, MO | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH. | $30,000 |
| BISHOP MIEGE FOUNDATION SHAWNEE MISSION, KS | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. | $50,000 |
| BISHOP WARD HIGH SCHOOL KANSAS CITY, KS | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. | $50,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - HEART OF AMERICA KANSAS CITY, MO | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH. | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key trustees include John Sherman, Mary Sherman, and Amy Donnelly. The foundation maintains one employee and can be reached at 913-258-2203.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN SHERMAN | FOUNDATION MANAGER | 1 | — |
| MARY SHERMAN | PRESIDENT - FOUNDATION MANAGER | 1 | — |
| AMY DONNELLY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH ALLEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $105,392 |
| JOSEPH ALLEN | TREASURER | 10 | $76,116 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant recent commitments to major institutions:
**Baltimore Symphony Orchestra:** Received a $5 million grant to build and sustain family and educational programming
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Receives $5 Million from The Sherman Family**University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC):** Received a $21 million gift to support PreK-12 research, teaching, and learning initiatives
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Receives $5 Million from The Sherman FamilySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sherman Family Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Sherman Family Foundation invests in nonprofits that serve vulnerable young people who are the hardest to reach, with the greatest obstacles to overcome on their way to leading a productive adult life. The foundation's investments help organizations grow their reach and strengthen their programs to benefit the greatest number of young people in the most positive way possible. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Early Childhood:** Expanding early learning that is affordable, accessible…
How do I apply for a grant from The Sherman Family Foundation?
The foundation is highly active in grantmaking, with 113 grants awarded in 2023 totaling approximately $5.2 million. Grant sizes range from $3,000 to $640,000, with a median grant of $20,000. Recent notable grants include: • UMKC Foundation: $640,127 (to support urban education) • Rockhurst High School: $349,757 (to further education at an accredited school) • Operation Breakthrough: $182,580 (to support early childhood education) **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicit…
Where does The Sherman Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Missouri, Kansas, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does The Sherman Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Sherman Family Foundation awarded 116 grants totaling $5.5M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Sherman Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Sherman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sherman Family Foundation's EIN?
The Sherman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5667031. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sherman Family Foundation'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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