Teeem Inc (EIN 37-2002172)

Quick Stats

• EIN: 37-2002172
• Annual Giving: $314,103 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 12 grants annually
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $70,000
• Median Grant: $21,000
• Total Assets: $9 million
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Geographic Focus: International (focus on humanitarian organizations)
• Foundation Type: Private foundation

Contact Details

Address: 310 Passaic Ave, Suite 301, Fairfield, NJ 07004

Phone: 201-280-4410

Email: taylor@teeem.org

Website: www.teeem.org

Note: This foundation does not have a public application process. Contact information provided is for the related TEEEM operating organization.

Overview

Teeem Inc (EIN 37-2002172) is a private foundation established in 2022 and based in Fairfield, New Jersey. The foundation is part of the TEEEM family of organizations founded by former photojournalist Jarret Schecter. With assets of $9 million, the foundation awarded $314,103 in grants in 2024 distributed across 12 grants to support international humanitarian organizations. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation is closely aligned with the TEEEM operating charity, which connects students with global humanitarian causes through education programs focused on empathy, equality, and entrepreneurship.

Note: This foundation should not be confused with another TEEEM entity (EIN 26-0255583), also known as the Schecter Foundation, which is a separate private foundation based in New York that provides support to women social entrepreneurs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program without formal application cycles. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees.

Grant Range: $3,000 - $70,000 Median Grant: $21,000 Number of Grants: 12 annually

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant recipients, the foundation prioritizes:

• International Humanitarian Aid: Support for organizations providing direct services in developing countries
• Clean Water Access: Funding for water infrastructure projects in Africa
• Women's Empowerment: Programs supporting women and girls in developing nations
• Education and Youth Services: Organizations supporting orphans and vulnerable children
• Refugee and Displacement Services: Support for refugees and displaced populations
• Healthcare Access: Medical services in underserved communities

Recent Grant Recipients (2023):

• Georgie Badiel Foundation ($40,000) - Clean water projects in Burkina Faso
• Grace Project Inc ($52,000) - Women's empowerment and financial independence
• ACT (Action by Churches Together) ($10,000) - International development
• American Friends of UN TEC ($8,000) - UN-related humanitarian work
• IRC (International Rescue Committee) ($10,000) - Refugee assistance
• Global Ops Group Ukraine ($3,000) - Ukraine humanitarian relief
• Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project - Support for AIDS orphans in Uganda

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not provide information about explicit exclusions, but based on its giving pattern:

• Does not fund organizations outside their established partner network
• Does not fund U.S.-based domestic programs (focus is international)
• Does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership (Schecter Family):

• Jarret Schecter - President and Founder
• Marvin Schecter - Treasurer
• Darrow Schecter - VP/Secretary

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.

About the Founder

Jarret Schecter is a former documentary photographer who worked for 20 years traveling to underdeveloped countries around the world. His experiences observing poverty and inequality, particularly in places like South Africa, motivated him to create TEEEM in 2016 to have more direct involvement in addressing global humanitarian issues. His photojournalism background informs the foundation's focus on visual storytelling and connecting people to global causes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This foundation does not have a public application process and does not accept unsolicited applications.

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations that are already known to the foundation through the TEEEM network of partner organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations can potentially become known to the foundation through the following specific pathways:

1. Partner with TEEEM's Educational Programs: The foundation primarily supports organizations that partner with TEEEM's K-12 educational programs. TEEEM connects schools with humanitarian organizations globally. Organizations that become TEEEM "pod partners" (current partners include Georgie Badiel Foundation, Nyaka, The GRACE Project, One Spirit, Bridges 2030, and Ridgewood Cambodia Project) may be considered for foundation support.

2. Contact TEEEM's Leadership: Organizations working in international humanitarian aid, particularly those led by or supporting women in developing countries, may contact:

   • Taylor DeMaio, Executive Vice President: taylor@teeem.org
   • Tom DeMaio: tom@teeem.org
   • General inquiries: 201-280-4410

3. Attend TEEEM Events: The foundation is connected to TEEEM's annual events:

   • A Taste of TEEEM (annual showcase, typically held in May in Paramus, NJ)
   • Leadership Symposium (annual student leadership event) These events feature TEEEM's partner organizations and provide networking opportunities with foundation leadership.

4. Geographic Focus Areas: Organizations with projects in countries where TEEEM currently has partnerships have the best chance of consideration:

   • Africa: Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda
   • Asia: Cambodia
   • Latin America: Ecuador, Peru
   • Eastern Europe: Ukraine
   • United States: South Dakota (Native American communities)

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a discretionary basis without fixed timelines. The foundation appears to make grant decisions annually, with grants described as "sustaining contributions," suggesting ongoing relationships with recipient organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure. Organizations that receive funding appear to receive ongoing support as "sustaining contributions."

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations position themselves if the opportunity for contact arises:

What the Foundation Values

1. Connection to TEEEM's Educational Mission: Organizations that can engage with students through TEEEM's K-12 programs have the strongest connection to the foundation. The foundation supports organizations that partner with TEEEM to provide students with authentic learning experiences about global issues.

2. Women's Leadership: Based on grant patterns and the stated mission of the related Schecter Foundation, organizations led by women social entrepreneurs or focusing on women's empowerment align with foundation priorities.

3. Direct Service Delivery: Recent grant recipients are organizations providing direct services (clean water, education, healthcare) rather than intermediary or advocacy organizations.

4. Established Track Record: All known grant recipients are established organizations with clear programs and measurable impact.

5. Geographic Focus: Organizations working in countries where TEEEM has existing partnerships or student engagement programs.

6. Multi-Year Relationships: Grants are described as "sustaining contributions," indicating the foundation prefers ongoing relationships with proven partners rather than one-time grants.

Alignment with Founder's Vision

Jarret Schecter's background as a photojournalist who witnessed global poverty firsthand shapes the foundation's priorities. Organizations that can:

• Tell compelling stories about their impact
• Connect students to global realities through authentic engagement
• Address poverty and inequality in underserved communities
• Provide opportunities for meaningful student involvement

...are most aligned with the foundation's mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

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

• Relationship-Based Grantmaking: All funding decisions are made based on existing relationships with the foundation and the broader TEEEM network.

• Educational Partnership Pathway: The most viable route to foundation support is becoming a TEEEM educational partner organization that works with K-12 students.

• Focus on International Humanitarian Work: The foundation exclusively supports international humanitarian organizations, with particular emphasis on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

• Median Grant Size: Plan for grants in the $20,000 range, though the foundation has awarded grants ranging from $3,000 to $70,000.

• Family Foundation Structure: This is a family foundation led by the Schecter family, with Jarret Schecter as the founder and driving force behind the mission.

• Sustaining Contributions: The foundation appears to make ongoing "sustaining contributions" to partner organizations rather than one-time project grants, suggesting preference for long-term relationships.

• Strong Women's Empowerment Focus: Organizations led by women or supporting women's empowerment, particularly women social entrepreneurs from developing countries, align with foundation priorities.

References

1. GrantExec - Teeem Inc Foundation Profile (EIN 372002172). Accessed March 2026. https://grantexec.com/foundations/372002172

2. Grantable.co - TEEEM INC Foundation Profile & Grants (EIN 260255583). Accessed March 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/teeem-inc-us-foundation-260255583

3. Charity Navigator - Teeem Inc. Profile (EIN 372002172). Accessed March 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/372002172

4. TEEEM Official Website - About, Programs, and Partners. Accessed March 2026. www.teeem.org

5. Instrumentl - Teeem Inc Formerly The Schecter Foundation 990 Report. Accessed March 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/teeem-inc-formerly-the-schecter-foundation

6. New Jersey Education Association - "Turning empathy into social action with TEEEM." Accessed March 2026. https://www.njea.org/turning-empathy-into-social-action-with-teeem/

7. TEEEM Press Release - "TEEEM Triples Reach with 100 Schools as its Changemaker Movement Grows Nationwide & Abroad." Accessed March 2026. https://www.teeem.org/news/blog-post-title-one-jxex6

8. Ramapo College Press Release - "Ramapo College partners with TEEEM to host Inaugural Leadership Symposium for high school students." Accessed March 2026. https://www.ramapo.edu/news/press-releases/ramapo-college-partners-with-teeem-to-host-inaugural-leadership-symposium-for-high-school-students/

9. PR Newswire - "TEEEM - a Nonprofit Dedicated to Empowering Students to Create a Kinder World - Announces Four New Partnerships." November 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teeem--a-nonprofit-dedicated-to-empowering-students-to-create-a-kinder-world--announces-four-new-partnerships-to-help-more-global-communities-302614672.html

10. Cause IQ - Teeem Formerly the Schecter Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/teeem-formerly-the-schecter-foundation,260255583/