Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $4-6 million
- Success Rate: N/A (Invitation only)
- Decision Time: At trustee discretion
- Grant Range: Average ~$51,000
- Geographic Focus: National (10+ states)
Contact Details
No public contact information available. This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited applications.
Overview
The Specter Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2015 by Shanin Specter and Tracey Specter. With assets of $44.19 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $4-6 million annually through about 90 grants. The foundation has experienced remarkable growth, with assets increasing 6.6x from $6.66 million in 2014. Operating with minimal overhead (99.5% of expenses go to charitable disbursements), the foundation is governed solely by its two trustees who serve without compensation. Shanin Specter, son of the late U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, is a founding partner of Kline & Specter, P.C., one of the nation's leading catastrophic injury law firms.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation makes approximately 90 grants annually with an average size of ~$51,455. All grants are made to preselected organizations at the discretion of the trustees.
Priority Areas
Based on known giving patterns:
- Squash and Sports Development: Major supporter of squash facilities and programs, including the $27 million Arlen Specter US Squash Center at Drexel University
- Education: Universities, law schools, and scholarship programs
- Health/Medical Research: Cancer research and medical centers
- Legal Services: Organizations providing legal aid to underserved populations
- Youth Development: Boys & Girls Clubs and educational programs
- Community Organizations: Various charitable organizations serving diverse communities
What They Don't Fund
The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.
Governance and Leadership
Shanin Specter - Trustee
- Founding partner of Kline & Specter, P.C.
- Member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 of nation's best plaintiffs' attorneys)
- Professor of Practice at multiple law schools including UC Law San Francisco, Berkeley, Stanford, Penn Carey, and Drexel Kline
- Named among "Best Lawyers in America"
- Has obtained more than 200 verdicts and settlements exceeding $1 million
Tracey Specter - Trustee
- Co-trustee and active volunteer in the Philadelphia area community
- Co-lead donor with Shanin to the Arlen Specter US Squash Center
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the two trustees.
Decision Timeline
Decisions are made at the trustees' discretion throughout the year. No specific timeline is publicly available.
Success Rates
Not applicable - invitation only foundation.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - invitation only foundation.
Application Success Factors
As this is an invitation-only foundation, traditional application strategies do not apply. Organizations that have received funding appear to share these characteristics:
- Alignment with the Specter family's personal and professional interests
- Focus on squash/sports as vehicles for youth development
- Connection to educational institutions, particularly law schools
- Service to underserved communities in major urban centers
- Established track record and reputation in their field
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is a closed foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
- The foundation makes substantial grants (average ~$51,000) to preselected organizations
- Strong emphasis on squash and sports programs for youth development
- Geographic reach extends across multiple states but with concentration in Pennsylvania
- Extremely efficient operation with 99.5% of expenses going to charitable disbursements
- Growing foundation - assets have increased 6.6x over the past decade
- Family foundation with direct trustee involvement in all decisions
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Specter Foundation Profile. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/387076393 (Accessed February 2025)
- Charity Navigator - Specter Foundation. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/387076393 (Accessed February 2025)
- Cause IQ - Specter Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/specter-foundation,387076393/ (Accessed February 2025)
- Grantmakers.io - Specter Foundation. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/387076393-specter-foundation/ (Accessed February 2025)
- Candid Foundation Directory - Specter Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SPEC362 (Accessed February 2025)
- Kline & Specter, P.C. - Attorney Profile: Shanin Specter. Various public sources regarding leadership background.
- Drexel University - Arlen Specter US Squash Center dedication and naming gift announcement.
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