Sherman Fairchild Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so an organisation without an introduction should not send a cold proposal; a warm introduction through someone who knows its work is the sensible route.
- Most of its grants are modest: about 8 in 10 of its 256 grants to organisations fall between $25,000 and $1,000,000, and half were $82,500 or less, so a request in that region fits its typical practice, though its largest grant was $15,000,000.
- In its most recent filing, 31% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so existing relationships carry real weight.
- Its stated purposes cover universities, museums and cultural bodies, and community and human-services organisations, and the filings show grants mainly in New York, California, Illinois and the United States, although no geographic focus is stated.
Overview
Sherman Fairchild Foundation is a US private foundation based in Chevy Chase, MD.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s recorded grants go to universities and colleges, museums and other cultural organisations, and community and human-services organisations. Their purposes include scientific research and scholar programmes, conservation and collections care, library renovations, education initiatives and emergency services. The portfolio also includes arts and technology programmes, school partnerships, youth support, and general or multi-year institutional funding. Smaller community awards address needs such as domestic violence, homelessness, environmental care and animal welfare. Grants reach organisations in many states, with the largest recorded shares going to New York, California, Illinois and North Carolina.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New York, California, Illinois and the United States.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 31% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 256 grants to organisations were $82,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 9%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 4%
- The largest single recipient received 10% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 31% of grant dollars went to organisations Sherman Fairchild Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 88 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $72,774 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Union Theological Seminary · Burke Library Renovations$10,000,0002024 tax year
- Northwestern University · Cryoelectron Microscopy Advancement$7,500,0002024 tax year
- New 42nd Street · General Support FY24-27$5,750,0002024 tax year
- Worcester Art Museum · Conservation and Collections Care$5,000,0002024 tax year
- Bard College · Two Micro College Endowed Chairs$5,000,0002024 tax year
- Yale Divinity School · Living Village Residential Complex$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Equal Justice Initiative · General Support$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums · General Support$1,500,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jonelle Procope — Director
- Patrick Burke — Director
- Walter Burke III — Chief Investment Officer / Director
- Julie McLean — Treasurer
- Will McLean — Director
- Russel Granet — Director
- Dorothy Kosinski — Director
- Dale Knobel — Chairman / Director
- Carol Folt — Director
- Bruce Dresner — Director
- Jeff Himmelman — Vice President / Secretary / Director
- Bonnie Himmelman — President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $64,419,576 | $58,109,385 | $1,005,288,454 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $53,332,794 | $47,188,693 | $1,049,207,158 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $55,150,326 | $48,329,343 | $1,092,089,078 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Sherman Fairchild Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Chevy Chase, MD
Applying to Sherman Fairchild Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Chevy Chase, MD