Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation
The Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1996 and based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and has been tax-exempt since November 1997. It functions as a grantmaking foundation, providing financial support to nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.5M
+2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$915K
-37.2% YoY
Grant Count
17
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$54K
-37.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Environmental conservation and environmental education
- Health care
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Community and school gardens
- Renewable energy
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$15,000 to $472,000
Average Grant
amount: $10,000–$472,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $11,527,308
- Total giving: $915,000
- Revenue: $1,267,319
- Expenses: $1,024,030
Assets & Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $11,278,449
- Total giving: $1,457,000 (17 grants)
- Total revenues: $1,256,537
- Total expenses: $1,556,154
- Investment income and dividends: $383,928
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,527,308 | $11,278,449 | $11,573,356 |
| Revenue | $1,267,319 | $1,256,537 | $1,255,535 |
| Expenses | $1,024,030 | $1,556,154 | $827,367 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $915,000 | $985,000 | $720,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,179,133 | $1,162,175 | $829,198 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,062,711 | $910,078 | $990,131 |
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
86 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Green Forests Work ($100,000), Population Action International ($100,000), Frankfurt Zoological Society ($95,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GREEN FORESTS WORK LEXINGTON, KY | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION | $100,000 |
| POPULATION ACTION INTERNATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC | MEDICAL AWARNESS | $100,000 |
| FRANKFURT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION | $95,000 |
| POPULATION CONNECTION WASHINGTON, DC | MEDICAL AWARNESS | $95,000 |
| HOMELESS PRENATAL PROGRAM SAN FRANCISCO, CA | OPERATING | $90,000 |
| SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER MONTGOMERY, AL | OPERATING | $90,000 |
| AMAZON CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON, DC | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION | $50,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION ANNAPOLIS, MD | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION | $50,000 |
| BEHAVIORAL IDEAS LAB INC NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT OF VOTER CAST INITIATIVE | $50,000 |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN WASHINGTON, DC | FEEDING THE HUNGRY | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHELDON T KATZ | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| MERYL KATZ | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| RUSSELL KATZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| MERYL KATZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 4337, Silver Spring, MD 20914-4337
- Phone: 301-622-0900
- EIN: 52-2006607
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Environmental conservation and environmental education • Health care • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Community and school gardens • Renewable energy
How do I apply for a grant from Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 17 grants in 2023 • Grant range: $15,000 to $472,000 • Median grant size: $70,000 • Average grant amount: $10,000–$472,000 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • The Potomac Conservancy ($120,000) • Nature Forward ($100,000) • Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($100,000) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Where does Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • District of Columbia • Maryland • New York
What size grants does Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation award?
In 2024, Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $915K — an average of about $54K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation's EIN?
Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2006607. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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