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Scherman Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$11.7M
Grant Range
$30K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11.68 million (2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (decisions in June for Dec-Feb applications)
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $45,000 (typical two-year general operating grants)
  • Geographic Focus: National (with NYC-only focus for Arts and Strengthening NYC Communities programs)

Contact Details

Address: 16 East 52nd Street, Suite 601, New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-832-3086
Fax: 212-838-0154
Website: www.scherman.org
Online Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=scherman
Grants Manager: Sami Stern (for application support)

Overview

The Scherman Foundation was established in 1941 by Harry Scherman, co-founder of the Book-of-the-Month Club. With assets of approximately $108 million and annual giving of $11.68 million in 2025, the Foundation has undergone a significant transformation since its 80th anniversary in 2021. Following the racial justice uprisings of 2020, the Foundation spent three years reimagining its framework to deepen its commitment to racial justice and equity, releasing new Mission, Vision, and Transformation statements in 2024. The Foundation invests in the economic, political, and cultural transformation necessary for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to reclaim and build power through organizing, movement-building, and systemic change. In response to unprecedented attacks on civil society, the Foundation increased its payout from 6% to 10%, resulting in an additional $10 million in grants over two years through a newly launched Response and Future Fund.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Arts (NYC only): Average $30,000 over two years for general operating support. Supports BIPOC-led arts infrastructure, artivism, narrative change, and artistic expression in Central & South Brooklyn, South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, and Lower East Side of Manhattan.

  • Democracy: Average $45,000 over two years. Focuses on NY, NJ, PA, with expanded support for OH and MI. Supports BIPOC-led structural democratic reforms, integrated voter engagement with racial/reproductive/climate justice frameworks, and rural organizing.

  • Environmental & Climate Justice: Average $45,000 over two years. National scope supporting grassroots climate organizing that embodies racial justice, Just Transition work, multi-issue BIPOC community organizations, and equitable mass transit advocacy.

  • Reproductive Justice: Average $45,000 over two years. National scope. Currently closed to new applicants - focusing on existing grantees only.

  • Strengthening New York Communities (NYC and expanding to NY State): Average $45,000 over two years. Focuses on housing/land use justice and workers' rights for BIPOC and immigrant workers.

  • Response and Future Fund: Rapid, flexible support to frontline organizations and innovative movement-building initiatives. Awarded $4.7 million through this fund as of late 2025.

Priority Areas

  • Organizations accountable to or directed by BIPOC communities (#1 priority)
  • Grassroots organizing and advocacy strategies
  • Movement-building and systemic change approaches
  • Intersectional work connecting racial justice with reproductive justice, climate justice, and democracy
  • Multi-racial coalitions advancing racial justice
  • Narrative change and cultural transformation
  • Community power-building and leadership development

What They Don't Fund

  • Specific event or production grants
  • Direct service work without an organizing strategy
  • Organizations primarily working outside the U.S.
  • One-off events unless part of movement-building strategy

Governance and Leadership

Staff

  • Mike Pratt, President & CEO: Leading the Foundation since 2009, Pratt has 30 years with the organization and announced his retirement effective June 2026. He moved the Foundation's focus from direct service to community organizing, movement-building, and systemic change. Pratt stated: "Leading the Foundation has engaged my whole being—heart and head. I am so grateful to be working in partnership with such dedicated and courageous people, particularly at this challenging time." He also leads the Environmental and Climate Justice program.

  • Gisela Alvarez, Program Director: Leads the program team and manages the Democracy and Reproductive Justice portfolios.

  • Catherine Porter, Director of Operations: Foundation administrator.

  • Kristen Chin, Program Officer: Joined in 2025, bringing background in community development and urban planning.

  • Sami Stern, Grants Manager & Administrative Assistant: Supports grants process, primary contact for application support.

Board of Directors

  • Marianna Schaffer (Chair): Philanthropy leader with 20+ years experience; former VP of Programs at Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; serves on OpenDox board and co-chairs New York Grantmakers in the Arts
  • Peter Sollins (Secretary): Senior Associate Director of Intellectual Property at Harvard University; grandson of Axel and Katharine Rosin
  • Rini Banerjee (Treasurer): Trustee of Mertz Gilmore Foundation; board member of Philanthropy NY
  • Alexis Anderson-Reed: CEO of State Voices
  • Amy Bergtold: Former scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Steven K. Choi: Former Executive Director of New York Immigration Coalition; United Way of NYC board member
  • Rasu Jilani: Executive Director of Brooklyn Arts Council
  • Lucy Mayo: Former Deputy Executive Director of Sierra Club
  • Yolanda Miranda: General Counsel at The Brigid Alliance
  • Miles Rapoport: Executive Director of 100% Democracy; former president of Common Cause; author of "100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting"
  • George Suttles: Executive Director of Commonfund Institute; speaks on philanthropy and governance

Mike Pratt noted about recent board additions: "The addition of three new stellar board members with deep lived and professional experience in the Foundation's areas of concern, as well as the restructuring of our staff to particularly elevate our racial justice work, marks a critical point in our historical trajectory."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts Letters of Intent (LOI) during a single annual application window. For 2025 funding, the window was December 2, 2024 - February 28, 2025.

Application Steps:

  1. Review program guidelines thoroughly and confirm alignment with funding focus areas
  2. Preview the LOI form before creating an account
  3. Visit the online grant portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=scherman
  4. Create a new account (first-time applicants only)
  5. Complete all required sections of the Letter of Intent form
  6. Submit before the February 28 deadline

Important Notes:

  • Only one submission period per year for new grant requests
  • The Reproductive Justice program is closed to new applicants
  • Current grantees use a different process with access codes and do not need to submit a new LOI for renewals
  • The Foundation makes a limited number of new grants each year and primarily supports current grantees
  • Contact Grants Manager Sami Stern via email for technical assistance

Decision Timeline

  • Application Window: December - February (approximately 3 months)
  • Decision Notifications: June
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation notes it makes "a limited number of new grants each year" and "primarily supports current grantees," suggesting a competitive process for new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. Potential applicants should contact the Grants Manager for guidance on reapplication timing and requirements.

Application Success Factors

Leadership and Accountability (#1 Criterion): Organizations must be accountable to or directed by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, with BIPOC communities having clear influence and decision-making power over strategy, direction, and finances.

Strategic Approach: The Foundation prioritizes movement-building, long-term general operating grants, and funding groups led by and serving BIPOC communities whose work addresses and dismantles systemic racism. As stated in their materials: "Scherman's grantees use organizing and movement-building to strengthen the power of communities to drive political, economic, and cultural transformation."

Intersectional Frameworks: Successful applicants take intersectional approaches, particularly connecting racial justice with reproductive justice, climate justice, and democracy work. The Foundation considers "grantees whose work incorporates or focuses on narrative and culture shift related to their priorities."

Grassroots Organizing Focus: The Foundation looks for organizations that "primarily use grassroots organizing and advocacy" rather than direct service models. Direct services are only supported when part of a broader movement-building strategy.

Recent Grantee Examples:

  • 651 Arts (Arts program - Brooklyn)
  • Advocates for Youth (national reproductive justice)
  • BRIC (Arts - Brooklyn)
  • Community Voices Heard (NYC organizing)
  • Push Buffalo (environmental/climate justice)
  • WeAct (environmental justice)
  • Weeksville (cultural heritage)
  • MinKwon Center for Community Action (Democracy - voter organizing)
  • The Good Neighbor Initiative's "We Are Long Island" (Strengthening NYC Communities)

Arts Program Philosophy: "Movements cannot exist without artistic power, and art and creation itself is a form of power—both must be prioritized." Arts applicants should demonstrate how their work builds community power, not just creates art.

Geographic Alignment:

  • Arts and Strengthening NYC Communities: Must be NYC-based (Arts focuses on specific neighborhoods: Central & South Brooklyn, South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, Lower East Side)
  • Democracy: Primarily NY, NJ, PA, with expanded support for OH and MI
  • Environmental & Climate Justice: National
  • Reproductive Justice: National (but closed to new applicants)

Required Status: Must have 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • BIPOC leadership is non-negotiable: Organizations must be accountable to or directed by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities with clear BIPOC decision-making power - this is the Foundation's #1 criterion.

  • Emphasis organizing over services: Frame your work as grassroots organizing, advocacy, and movement-building rather than direct service delivery. Show how your work contributes to systemic change and power-building.

  • Connect to multiple priorities: Successful applicants often integrate racial justice with climate justice, reproductive justice, and/or democracy work. Demonstrate intersectional approaches in your LOI.

  • Plan for a competitive process: The Foundation makes a "limited number of new grants each year" and "primarily supports current grantees," making new applicant slots highly competitive. Ensure strong alignment before applying.

  • Timing is critical: There is only one application window per year (December-February), and you'll wait until June for decisions. Miss the window and you'll wait another full year.

  • General operating support philosophy: The Foundation emphasizes long-term general operating grants averaging $30,000-$45,000 over two years, allowing flexibility for grantees to advance their missions.

  • Current transformation moment: The Foundation is in a significant period of growth and change, having increased its payout to 10% and launched the Response and Future Fund to support organizations facing unprecedented challenges to civil society - emphasize how your work addresses current threats while building long-term movement infrastructure.

References

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