The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $87.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $2.0M. Net investment income was $2.6M.
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $404K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,021,724
- +21.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $404,345
- +142.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $87,136,569
- +8.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust ($2.0M). Together the top 5 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 42 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 1153% from 2021 to 2024. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $161K (2021) to $2.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust New York, NY | To Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $1,999,624 |
| The Mental Health Association Frederick, MD | To Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $15,000 |
| Save a Limb Foundation Bethesda, MD | To Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $2,500 |
| Frederick Rescue Mission Inc Frederick, MD | To Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $2,500 |
| Hope Connections Bethesda, MD | To Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $2,100 |
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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 | $87,136,569 | $10,776,099 | $9,649,131 | $2,021,724 | 5 | $2,730,896 | $2,587,436 | $3,501,984 |
| 2023 | $80,593,727 | $16,784,726 | $9,029,298 | $1,665,180 | 10 | $2,238,808 | $9,718,149 | $3,062,109 |
| 2022 | $60,039,524 | $12,132,077 | $8,477,469 | $2,267,090 | 11 | $3,929,331 | $4,363,259 | $3,041,765 |
| 2021 | $56,348,200 | $10,185,625 | $5,278,434 | $161,400 | 8 | $2,956,011 | $4,642,563 | $2,940,387 |
| 2020 | $52,112,339 | $6,659,474 | $5,875,537 | $602,562 | 8 | — | $1,290,458 | $2,753,338 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc is led by Robert B. Herman, Director & President From since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert B. Herman
Director & President From
Director & Vice President → Director & President From, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sylvan C. Herman
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Scott Ogden
Director
Director → Director & Executive, 2022
Director & Executive → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$259K (2022) → $267K (2024)
Caroline Cantrell
Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$192K (2023) → $207K (2024)
Michael Knable
Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$285K (2023) → $299K (2024)
Beth Stone
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C. Richard Beyda
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dwayne Holt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mindy Herman
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard F. Levin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Levine
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Steven Sharfstein (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 $299K, to Dr Michael Knable (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc
How much does The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc give each year?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 10 grants.
What is The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $404,345, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc give grants?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Frederick, MD (2 grants) and Bethesda, MD (2 grants).
Who are The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust ($1,999,624), The Mental Health Association ($15,000) and Save a Limb Foundation ($2,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc reported $87.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (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 is The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Sylvan C Herman Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3265230. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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