Eric P And Evelyn Newman Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,744,000 (2024)
• Assets: $59.3 million (2024)
• Grant Range: Varies significantly - from small grants to $1,560,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily St. Louis, Missouri; some national grants
• Average Grant: $119,308
• Application Method: Invitation only - no unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

The foundation does not publish contact information for grant applications as they do not accept unsolicited requests.

Leadership:

• Andrew E. Newman, Director
• Linda N. Schapiro, Director

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

Overview

The Eric P And Evelyn Newman Charitable Foundation was established in 2013 through a trust dated August 1, 2013. Named after the late Eric P. Newman (1911-2017), a prominent St. Louis numismatist, attorney, and business executive, and his wife Evelyn Edison Newman (deceased 2015), the foundation continues the couple's legacy of supporting education, medical research, and cultural institutions. With assets of $59.3 million, the foundation distributed $4.7 million in grants in 2024, representing approximately 95% of its total expenses. The foundation is managed by the Newmans' children, Andrew E. Newman and Linda N. Schapiro, who serve as unpaid directors. Eric P. Newman was an alumnus and longtime benefactor of Washington University in St. Louis, and the foundation continues substantial support to institutions he championed during his lifetime, particularly in the St. Louis region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no formal grant programs. In 2024, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $4,744,000. Major grants included:

• Washington University: $1,560,000 for educational support, COVID research, and tower construction
• Saint Louis Zoo: $1,010,000 for educational support
• Barnes Jewish Hospital: $620,000 for medical support

The foundation's giving has varied significantly over recent years: 94 awards in 2022, 39 awards in 2023, and 18 awards in 2024, suggesting a trend toward fewer but larger grants.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

• Higher Education: Particularly Washington University in St. Louis (School of Medicine, Law, Business, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, and Olin Library)
• Medical Research and Healthcare: Support for medical education centers, hospital facilities, and COVID-19 research
• Cultural Institutions: Museums, arts organizations, and educational cultural programming
• Numismatic Education: Through the separate Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society
• St. Louis Community Institutions: Strong preference for organizations serving the St. Louis region

The foundation's geographic focus shows heavy concentration in Missouri, with additional grants in New York, Massachusetts, and California.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Organizations outside the foundation's existing network of supported institutions are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Directors:

• Andrew E. Newman: Son of Eric P. and Evelyn Newman; serves as Washington University Trustee; serves without compensation
• Linda N. Schapiro: Daughter of Eric P. and Evelyn Newman; serves without compensation

Both directors bring deep knowledge of their parents' philanthropic values and continue support to institutions their parents championed. The family's connection to Edison Brothers Stores (Evelyn's family business, where Eric served as executive vice president until 1987) and Eric's distinguished career in law and numismatics inform the foundation's approach to strategic giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors based on the foundation's established relationships and funding priorities that align with the legacy of Eric P. and Evelyn Newman.

Organizations should not submit grant proposals or funding requests, as they will not be considered.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure. Grants appear to be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year based on board discretion.

Success Rates

For organizations within the foundation's network: Grantable.co reports a 12% funding rate for organizations considered by the foundation, though this metric has limited meaning given the invitation-only structure.

For unsolicited applications: 0% - the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no actionable success factors for applicants. However, examining their funding patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Institutional Focus:

• The foundation demonstrates strong loyalty to institutions Eric and Evelyn Newman supported during their lifetimes, particularly Washington University in St. Louis
• Recent large grants suggest preference for established institutions capable of handling substantial multi-year projects

Areas of Legacy Interest:

• Educational institutions, especially those offering professional education (medicine, law, business)
• Medical research and healthcare delivery institutions
• Cultural and arts organizations with educational missions
• Organizations preserving and advancing numismatic education and scholarship

Geographic Preference:

• Strong preference for St. Louis-based organizations
• Willingness to fund select national institutions in major metropolitan areas

Grant Characteristics:

• Recent trend toward larger, fewer grants suggests focus on significant impact projects
• Multi-year support indicated by continuing relationships with key grantees
• Support for capital projects (e.g., "tower" construction at Washington University)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Access: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Direct application is not possible.
• Legacy-Driven: The foundation continues Eric and Evelyn Newman's philanthropic priorities established during their lifetimes
• St. Louis Focus: Strong geographic preference for St. Louis institutions, particularly Washington University
• Relationship-Based: Grants flow to organizations with established relationships to the Newman family
• Substantial Capacity: With nearly $60 million in assets and $4.7 million in annual giving, the foundation can make significant grants when aligned with priorities
• Trend Toward Larger Grants: Recent giving patterns show movement from many small grants to fewer, larger strategic investments
• Family Management: Both directors are Eric and Evelyn's children, ensuring continuity with founders' values

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Eric P And Evelyn Newman Charitable Foundation (EIN 46-3396538), accessed January 21, 2026: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/463396538
• Grantable.co - Eric P & Evelyn E Newman Charitable Foundation Profile, accessed January 21, 2026: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/eric-p-evelyn-e-newman-charitable-us-foundation-463396538
• Washington University in St. Louis - "Obituary: Eric P. Newman, WashU alumnus, benefactor, 106," The Source, November 2017, accessed January 21, 2026: https://source.washu.edu/2017/11/obituary-eric-p-newman-106/
• Wikipedia - Eric P. Newman biography, accessed January 21, 2026: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_P._Newman
• Cause IQ - Eric P and Evelyn E Newman Charitable Foundation DTD 8 / 1 / 2013 Profile, accessed January 21, 2026: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/eric-p-and-evelyn-e-newman-charitable-foundation-d,463396538/
• Instrumentl - Eric P And Evelyn E Newman Charitable Foundation Dtd 8 1 2013 990 Report, accessed January 21, 2026: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/eric-p-and-evelyn-newman-charitable-foundation