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Schleyer Foundation Under Declaration Of Tr 12022002

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M

Schleyer Foundation Under Declaration Of Tr 12022002

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $923,054 (FY 2023)
  • Total Assets: $17.5 million (FY 2023)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $300,000
  • Number of Grants: 36 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with strong focus on education and New Hampshire/Massachusetts region
  • Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 222, Rye Beach, NH 03871
Phone: (732) 295-1000
EIN: 05-6132358

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Schleyer Foundation Under Declaration Of Tr 12022002 was established in 2002 and received tax-exempt status in April 2004. As of 2023, the foundation holds assets totaling $17.5 million and distributed $923,054 in charitable grants to 36 organizations and individuals. The foundation is managed by two trustees: William T. Schleyer and Mary Zygala. William T. Schleyer is a 1973 graduate of Drexel University (BS in Mechanical Engineering) who earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and had a distinguished career in the cable television industry. The foundation operates as a private family foundation, focusing primarily on educational institutions and charitable organizations, with particular emphasis on higher education, especially Drexel University, and regional nonprofits in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion to selected organizations. Recent funding demonstrates the following patterns:

Major Educational Support

  • Drexel University: $300,000 (2023) - ongoing major beneficiary
  • Berwick Academy: $100,000 (2023)

Regional Nonprofit Support

  • GoodWork: $169,054 (2023) - a Portsmouth, NH nonprofit incubator co-founded by Mary Zygala Schleyer
  • Various other organizations receiving grants ranging from smaller amounts to six figures

Priority Areas

Based on documented grantmaking activity:

  • Higher Education: Primary focus on Drexel University, including scholarship programs and medical school support
  • K-12 Independent Education: Support for preparatory schools like Berwick Academy
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building: Support for organizations that strengthen the nonprofit sector
  • Regional Community Organizations: Organizations serving New Hampshire and Massachusetts communities
  • Healthcare/Medical Education: Historical support for medical students and healthcare initiatives

What They Don't Fund

As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no published exclusions. However, the grantmaking pattern suggests:

  • The foundation focuses on pre-selected organizations with which trustees have established relationships
  • Grants appear limited to educational institutions and established charitable organizations
  • International organizations do not appear in recent grantmaking

Governance and Leadership

Trustees (both uncompensated):

William T. Schleyer - Trustee and primary contact

  • Drexel University Class of 1973 (BS Mechanical Engineering), Honorary Doctorate 2006
  • Harvard Business School MBA
  • Distinguished career in cable television industry
  • Former Drexel University Board of Trustees member (8 years)
  • Member of Drexel 100 (University's alumni hall of fame)
  • Father of two Drexel College of Medicine graduates: Edward Schleyer, MD '12 (orthopedic surgeon) and William T. Schleyer Jr., MD '14 (psychiatrist)

Mary Zygala - Trustee

  • Co-founder of GoodWork, a Portsmouth, NH nonprofit incubator focused on strengthening Greater Seacoast nonprofits

The foundation has zero employees and is managed entirely by the two trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to foundation records, the Schleyer Foundation does not acknowledge or make awards based on unsolicited grant requests. All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: The following represents specific information about this foundation's connections and approach:

  • Drexel University Connection: The strongest connection is through Drexel University, where William Schleyer is a distinguished alumnus and long-time major donor. Organizations affiliated with Drexel or recommended through Drexel networks may have pathways to consideration.

  • Regional Nonprofit Sector: Through Mary Zygala's role as co-founder of GoodWork in Portsmouth, NH, the foundation has demonstrated interest in supporting nonprofit capacity-building organizations. Organizations working in the Greater Seacoast New Hampshire region and connected to the nonprofit infrastructure community may be on the foundation's radar.

  • Educational Institutions: The foundation has shown consistent support for educational institutions, particularly those in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Independent schools and higher education institutions with board members or development staff who have connections to the Schleyer family may have opportunities for relationship building.

  • Board and Trustee Networks: Given that this is a family foundation with discretionary grantmaking, relationships through board networks, alumni connections (particularly Drexel), and regional philanthropic circles appear to be the primary pathway to funding.

Decision Timeline

No public information available. As a private foundation with trustee-discretion grantmaking, decisions are likely made on an ongoing basis throughout the year rather than on fixed cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, the grantmaking pattern reveals the following insights:

Trustee Connections Matter Most The foundation's grantmaking is entirely relationship-driven. Organizations that receive funding either have direct connections to the Schleyer family or align closely with the trustees' personal philanthropic interests.

Long-term Institutional Relationships Drexel University has received substantial, sustained support from the foundation, including the establishment of the Schleyer Scholars Fund in 2007 and multiple subsequent major gifts. In late 2020, the Schleyer family pledged an additional $4 million to support medical students. This demonstrates that the foundation favors long-term partnerships with institutions where they can see sustained impact.

Education-Focused Mission Alignment The overwhelming majority of documented grants support educational institutions and programs. Organizations with strong educational components or student support missions align with demonstrated priorities.

Regional Focus on New Hampshire While Drexel University in Philadelphia receives major support due to the personal connection, the foundation also demonstrates interest in New Hampshire-based organizations, particularly those in the Seacoast region where the foundation is located.

Capacity Building and Leverage The significant grant to GoodWork ($169,054 in 2023) suggests interest in organizations that multiply impact by building capacity across the nonprofit sector rather than just providing direct services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Do not submit cold applications.

  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: All funding decisions are made through trustee discretion based on existing relationships and personal knowledge of organizations.

  • Drexel University Connection: The strongest institutional relationship is with Drexel University, where William Schleyer is a distinguished alumnus and major donor spanning multiple decades.

  • Education is Primary Focus: Educational institutions, particularly higher education and independent schools, represent the core of the foundation's grantmaking portfolio.

  • Significant Multi-Year Commitments: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial, sustained investments in institutions (e.g., $4 million pledge to Drexel medical school, ongoing support for scholarship programs).

  • Regional Nonprofit Interest: Through Mary Zygala's involvement with GoodWork, the foundation has shown interest in strengthening nonprofit infrastructure in the New Hampshire Seacoast region.

  • Family Foundation Model: With only two trustees and zero staff, this is a classic family foundation where personal values, connections, and philanthropic interests drive all funding decisions.

References

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