The Theosophical Society in Cleveland
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland, based in Parma, Ohio, is a private foundation that supports Theosophical activities and charitable organizations. Its website identifies the local organization as the Theosophical Society of Greater Cleveland, Besant Branch, and says it has been active in the Cleveland area since 1921.
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland at a glance
In short: The Theosophical Society in Cleveland gave $27K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $27,000
- +125.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,250
- +106.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,984,941
- +2.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Theosophical Society in Cleveland
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 2215 Brookpark Rd, Parma, OH 44134
Phone: (330) 467-3784
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Theosophical Society in Cleveland funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Theosophical Society in America ($15K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 61 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website describes annual giving to nonprofit organizations in the Cleveland area and support for The Theosophical Society in America. In 2025, 59% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 41% to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2024) to $64K (2020). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $27K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Theosophical Society in America Wheaton, IL | Donation | $15,000 |
| Cleveland Food Bank Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,500 |
| Hunger Network Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,500 |
| Providence House Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,500 |
| Journey Center for Safety Healing Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
| Salvation Army Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
| Ideastream Public Media-PBS Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
| Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
| Parma Animal Shelter Parma, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
| The City Mission Cleveland, OH | Donation | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,984,941 | $53,199 | $38,665 | $27,000 | 12 | $54,757 | $41,676 |
| 2024 | $1,937,406 | $53,615 | $32,372 | $12,000 | 11 | $57,754 | $45,932 |
| 2023 | $1,799,618 | $21,648 | $35,710 | $32,000 | 12 | $61,304 | $30,502 |
| 2022 | $1,964,911 | $19,009 | $34,435 | $37,520 | 13 | $65,576 | $28,724 |
| 2021 | $2,068,591 | $59,561 | $38,594 | $37,050 | 13 | — | $27,849 |
| 2020 | $1,792,876 | $18,354 | $40,324 | $64,000 | 14 | — | $31,250 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The branch’s stated mission centers on inquiry into religion, philosophy, science, and the arts, alongside spiritual self-transformation and respect for the unity of life. Its website describes activities including programs, classes, a library, a bookstore, a prayer line, and service through the Theosophical Order of Service. It also says it gives to charities consistent with Theosophical ideals.
The 2025 grants show support for Theosophical organizations, human services, public media, and animal welfare. Among the supported grantees, Providence House says it protects at-risk children and supports families in crisis; Cleveland Rape Crisis Center says it supports survivors of sexual violence, promotes healing and prevention, and advocates for social change; Parma Animal Shelter says it provides housing and medical care for lost and abandoned animals and helps place or reunite them; and Valley Save-A-Pet says it works to alleviate animal suffering. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $27,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest award was $15,000 to Theosophical Society in America. Other grants included $1,500 each to Cleveland Food Bank, Hunger Network, and Providence House; $1,000 each to Journey Center for Safety and Healing, Salvation Army, IdeaStream Public Media-PBS, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Parma Animal Shelter, the City Mission, and Theosophical Order of Service; and $500 to Valley Save-A-Pet.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tammy Stefan Shaffer as president; Darlene Boch Zdolshek and Dianna Dusek as co-treasurers; Linda Joy McKee as secretary; and Dianna Dusek as co-vice president.
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland is led by Tammy Stefan Shaffer, President on the 2025 filing; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tammy Stefan Shaffer
President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna Dusek
Co-Treasurer & Co-Vice President
Co-Treasurer → Co-Treasurer & Co-Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Joy McKee
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Boch Zdolshek
Co-Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Joanne Richter (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Carol Marino (2020–2023) — Co-Librarian
- Former: Darlene Boch (2020–2023) — Co-Treasurer
- Former: Michael Murphy (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Richard Denson (2020–2023) — Co-Librarian
- Former: Lleana Ramos (2020) — Co-Librarian
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Theosophical Society in Cleveland
How much does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland give each year?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland gave $27K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $12K across 11 grants.
What is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's typical grant size?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,250, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland give grants?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland gives mostly in Illinois: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (41%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (8 grants) and Wheaton, IL (2 grants).
Does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (12 grants).
Who are The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's largest grantees?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's largest 2025 grantees include Theosophical Society in America ($15,000), Cleveland Food Bank ($1,500) and Hunger Network ($1,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $53K.
What does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland fund?
The branch’s stated mission centers on inquiry into religion, philosophy, science, and the arts, alongside spiritual self-transformation and respect for the unity of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Theosophical Society in Cleveland?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines.
What is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's EIN?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1568174. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland 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 2020–2025
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