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Sumner M Redstone Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$100K - $35.0M

Sumner M Redstone Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,237,570 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $57.4 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $35,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Northeast United States)
  • Primary Focus: Education, Health & Medical Research, Youth Services, Global Poverty
  • Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 846 University Ave, Norwood, MA 02062

EIN: 22-2761621

Note: The foundation does not have a public website and does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

The Sumner M Redstone Charitable Foundation was established in 1986 by Sumner M. Redstone, the late media mogul who served as Executive Chairman of CBS Broadcasting Inc., Viacom Networks, and National Amusements. Following Redstone's death in August 2020 at age 97, his daughter Shari Redstone now serves as President and Trustee of the foundation. The foundation has distributed over $260 million in charitable grants throughout its history, advancing Sumner Redstone's lifelong commitment to innovation, empowerment, and progress through medical research, education, and efforts to aid the poor and impoverished around the world. In 2024, the foundation reported total assets of $57.4 million and charitable disbursements of $1.2 million. The foundation operates as a private charitable foundation primarily funded through investment income, making strategic high-value grants to select organizations rather than numerous smaller grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs with fixed cycles or deadlines. Instead, it operates on a trustee-discretion basis, making strategic grants aligned with the founder's philanthropic vision. Grant amounts have ranged from $100,000 to multi-year commitments of $35 million.

Priority Areas

Education

  • Higher education institutions, particularly law schools and schools of communication
  • Public service fellowships and scholarships
  • State-of-the-art educational facilities
  • Literacy programs for underserved communities

Health & Medical Research

  • Cancer research and patient care
  • Burn recovery research and treatment
  • Mental health initiatives
  • Health equity programs addressing disparities in underserved populations
  • Medical research institutions and hospitals

Youth Services & Global Poverty

  • Programs benefiting young people in need
  • Child rescue and welfare programs internationally
  • Global poverty eradication initiatives
  • Humanitarian efforts worldwide

Arts & Entertainment Industry

  • Support for entertainment industry professionals and retirees
  • Film and media education facilities

Notable Past Grant Recipients

  • Massachusetts General Hospital: $35 million (2007-2012) for cancer and burn recovery research; establishment of the Sumner M. Redstone Endowed Chair in Health Equity
  • Cedars-Sinai Prostate Cancer Center: $35 million (2007-2012)
  • FasterCures/The Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions: $35 million (2007-2012)
  • Harvard Law School: $10 million for Sumner M. Redstone Fellowships in Public Service (largest gift to Harvard Law School for public service at the time)
  • Boston University School of Law: $18 million for the Sumner M. Redstone Building
  • Motion Picture & Television Fund: $20 million (2013)
  • USC School of Cinematic Arts: $10 million for the Sumner M. Redstone Production Building
  • Global Poverty Project: $2.1 million cumulative for poverty eradication efforts
  • Cambodian Children's Fund: Multiple gifts totaling over $1 million for child rescue center
  • Autism Speaks: $1.7 million cumulative
  • Literacy Inc.: $1 million (2013)
  • Boston University College of Communication: $2.5 million for the Sumner M. Redstone Professorship in Narrative Studies

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Shari Redstone - President and Trustee

Shari Redstone is Chair of Paramount Global and President of National Amusements. She also chairs the Redstone Family Foundation, which has distributed over $2 billion in combined giving with the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation. In leading the Redstone Family Foundation, she guides grants to over 400 organizations annually, focusing on strengthening the Jewish community, advancing health and education, and promoting diversity, tolerance, and mutual understanding. She serves on the boards of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, CASA at Columbia University, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, and BUILD.

On her philanthropic approach, Shari Redstone has stated she "looks for opportunities to have a real-life impact in the fight against racism and intolerance" and focuses on health equity to "ensure underserved patients receive comprehensive, high-quality care."

No officer compensation is reported for the foundation, indicating trustees serve in a voluntary capacity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee based on the foundation's strategic philanthropic priorities and the legacy of Sumner M. Redstone's charitable vision.

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, identifying grant recipients through trustee initiative and existing relationships rather than through a public application process.

Getting on Their Radar

The Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation identifies grant recipients through the trustee's board memberships and involvement with major institutions. Shari Redstone's board service at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, CASA at Columbia University, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, and BUILD provides insight into the types of organizations aligned with foundation priorities.

Organizations aligned with the foundation's documented focus areas that have established track records in:

  • Major medical research institutions with innovative approaches to cancer, health equity, or mental health
  • Premier educational institutions with strong public service components
  • Established organizations addressing global poverty and youth welfare
  • Leading institutions in the entertainment industry supporting professionals in need

may be considered if they come to the attention of the trustee through professional networks or existing relationships with supported institutions.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, analysis of past grants reveals clear patterns in what the foundation values:

Institutional Excellence and Scale The foundation strongly favors major, nationally recognized institutions with proven track records. Grant recipients include Harvard, Boston University, USC, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Cedars-Sinai—all leading institutions in their fields.

Alignment with Founder's Biography Many grants reflect Sumner Redstone's personal history and professional life:

  • His survival of a severe hotel fire in 1979 influenced major support for burn recovery research
  • His legal education led to significant support for Harvard Law School and Boston University School of Law
  • His entertainment industry career resulted in major gifts to USC School of Cinematic Arts and the Motion Picture & Television Fund

Focus on Innovation and Cutting-Edge Work The foundation has prioritized organizations advancing new approaches, as evidenced by the $35 million grant to FasterCures/The Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions, which focuses on accelerating medical breakthroughs.

Multi-Year, Transformational Commitments Rather than making many small grants, the foundation favors large, transformational gifts. The 2007 announcement of $105 million in grants structured as five-year commitments of $35 million each demonstrates this approach.

Public Service and Social Impact Education grants have emphasized public service, such as the Harvard Law School fellowships supporting students committed to public service work, and literacy programs serving underserved communities.

Health Equity and Addressing Disparities Recent grants, particularly under Shari Redstone's leadership, emphasize health equity and ensuring underserved populations receive high-quality care, as demonstrated by the endowed chair at Mass General.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - do not submit proposals or inquiries
  • Grant-making is highly strategic and institution-focused - the foundation favors major, nationally recognized institutions over grassroots organizations
  • Personal connections matter - the trustee's board memberships and professional networks appear to be key pathways for grant consideration
  • Grant sizes are substantial - historically ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars; small grant seekers should look elsewhere
  • Focus areas are clearly defined - education (especially legal and film), medical research (cancer, burn recovery, health equity), global poverty, and entertainment industry support
  • Current leadership priorities - under Shari Redstone's leadership, emphasis includes health equity, combating antisemitism, and supporting diversity and tolerance initiatives
  • Long-term relationships - many recipients receive multiple grants over time, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with proven organizations
  • The foundation operates through the Redstone family's broader philanthropic ecosystem - understanding both the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation and the Redstone Family Foundation provides insight into the family's charitable priorities

References

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