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 2026 (avg $2K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $27,000
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 12
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $2,250
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $2,250,945
- +13.4% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Ohio (59% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
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
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 60 (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 2026 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Theosophical Society in Cleveland gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−16%). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2024) to $64K (2020). In 2026 it made 12 grants totaling $27K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 12 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $27,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Theosophical Society in Cleveland?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,250,945 | $64,779 | $39,780 | $27,000 | 12 | $28,184 | $55,581 |
| 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, an individual recipient 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 an individual recipient, Hunger Network, and an individual recipient; $1,000 each to Journey Center for Safety and Healing, an individual recipient, 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. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 12 grants totaling $27,000.
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 every filing since 2025; none of the 5 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Tammy Stefan Shaffer
President
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna Dusek
Co-Treasurer
Co-Treasurer → Co-Treasurer & Co-Vice President, 2025
Co-Treasurer & Co-Vice President → Co-Treasurer, 2026
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
Noy Chounramany
Co-Vice President
New on the 2026 filing
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, 2020–2026. "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 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $27K across 12 grants.
What is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's typical grant size?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's median grant in 2026 was $1,500, and its average grant was $2,250, across 12 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland give grants?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland gives mostly in Ohio: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (41%).
Does The Theosophical Society in Cleveland give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (12 grants).
How large is The Theosophical Society in Cleveland?
The Theosophical Society in Cleveland reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $65K.
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 2020–2026.
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 November 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 2026 (received by the IRS August 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Other open foundation grants in Ohio
Ohio Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Theosophical Society in Cleveland's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Swagelok Foundation
Solon, OH
The Swagelok Foundation supports a broad range of charitable, community, education, and public organizations in places where Swagelok associates live and work, primarily in Ohio. In 2025 it made 222 grants totaling about $1.37 million, ranging from $20 to $201,000, with a median grant of $1,905. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
222
Total Given
$1.4M
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
United Way of Greater Cleveland funds nonprofit programs that advance economic mobility and financial stability, including work on income, housing stability, and child care, primarily in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100,000 to $175,000, with a median of $112,500. It accepts applications through a scheduled Community Impact grant process, beginning with an RFI; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside that process.
Assets
$41.3M
Grants
18
Total Given
$2.2M
Murphy Family Foundation
Solon, OH
The Murphy Family Foundation primarily funds nonprofit programs addressing poverty in greater Cleveland, especially food assistance, shelter, and educational support for disadvantaged people. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000; applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and the foundation’s application guidelines describe how to apply.
Assets
$6.5M
Grants
83
Total Given
$451K
Mt Sinai Health Care Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Mt Sinai Health Care Foundation funds health and well-being in Greater Cleveland, including Jewish community health, equitable health outcomes, academic medicine and bioscience, and health policy. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000. It asks prospective applicants to contact a program officer before applying; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$189.6M
Grants
69
Total Given
$7.4M
Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds social-welfare, religious, educational, security, and community programs, with a focus on Cleveland and Ohio as well as Jewish needs in Israel and around the world. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,250, though amounts varied widely; the available information does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited institutional requests.
Assets
$680.2M
Grants
425
Total Given
$72.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Theosophical Society in Cleveland'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 Theosophical Society in Cleveland down — hundreds of funders to go?