← Back to US Funders Directory

Leonard And Helen R Stulman Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.2M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.7-4.7 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (rolling review)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $150,000 (typical range)
  • Geographic Focus: 95% Greater Baltimore and Maryland (5% other locations)
  • Total Assets: $69.6 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.bcf.org/for-grantseekers/other-grant-opportunities/leonard-helen-r-stulman-charitable-foundation/

Executive Director: Cathy Brill Email: cbrill@bcf.org

Address: 901 S Bond St Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21231

EIN: 52-1491609

The foundation is administered through the Baltimore Community Foundation.

Overview

The Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation was established during the Stulmans' lifetimes in 1987 and became operational in 2001 following Leonard Stulman's death in 2000. During their lifetimes, Leonard and Helen Stulman made generous gifts to the Jewish community, the arts, and medical organizations. Mr. Stulman stipulated that after 2000, the foundation would focus on mental health, health, and aging. With total assets of approximately $69.6 million, the foundation distributes $3.7-4.7 million annually through a limited number of grants to organizations primarily in Greater Baltimore and Maryland. The foundation takes a strategic approach to funding, focusing on innovative work that addresses unmet needs and promotes recovery and community integration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Grant Program: $25,000 - $150,000 (typical range)
  • Application method: Rolling basis via letter of inquiry
  • Limited number of new grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

Mental Health (Primary Focus)

  • Research on causes and treatment of mental illness
  • Services for people with mental illness and their families
  • Promoting recovery and participation in community life for people with serious mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression)
  • Increasing access to mental health treatment for underserved populations
  • Integrating mental health care into community and primary care settings
  • Providing services to minority communities, including those with limited English proficiency

Aging

  • Services that allow older adults to remain in their communities
  • Meeting unaddressed health and mental health needs of older adults
  • Home modifications and supportive services (as evidenced by HUBS funding)

General Health

  • Chronic disease prevention and management
  • Access to healthcare for disadvantaged populations
  • Workforce development in healthcare fields (e.g., nursing assistants serving older adults)

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital projects or construction
  • K-12 public education
  • Individual scholarships (though institutional scholarship programs may be considered)
  • Conferences and symposia

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Amy T. Seto, President
  • Sharna Goldseker, Trustee (non-family trustee; also chairs the Goldseker Foundation and founded 21/64)
  • John P. (Jack) Machen, Trustee
  • Walter D. Pinkard, Jr., Trustee
  • Shale D. Stiller, Trustee
  • Tanya J. Terrell, Trustee

Staff

  • Cathy Brill, Executive Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (Required First Step)

  • Submit a 2-page letter of inquiry
  • Must be signed by both the executive director and board chair
  • Include:
    • Requested amount
    • Project summary
    • Brief organizational background
  • Email to: cbrill@bcf.org
  • Rolling deadline (accepted throughout the year)

Step 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

  • Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal
  • Foundation recommends using the Maryland Philanthropy Network Grant Proposal Format, though other formats are acceptable
  • Download PDF guidelines for detailed instructions

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity
  • Must not discriminate based on race, creed, national origin, color, physical handicap, gender, or sexual orientation
  • 95% of funding is reserved for programs in Greater Baltimore and Maryland (5% may go to other locations)

Decision Timeline

  • Not publicly disclosed
  • Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Foundation makes a "limited number of new grants each year"

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation reports distributing $3.7-4.7 million annually through approximately 35 grants, suggesting selective grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Contact the Executive Director for guidance.

Application Success Factors

The Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation seeks innovative programs that address unmet needs in mental health, aging, and healthcare. Based on their funding patterns and priorities:

Alignment with Core Interests

  • Projects focused on serious mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression) are particularly well-aligned
  • Programs that integrate mental health care into community or primary care settings
  • Services for underserved populations, including minority communities and those with limited English proficiency
  • Initiatives that help older adults remain in their communities

Demonstrated Impact Examples The foundation has funded projects such as:

  • HUBS (Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors): $4 million total investment (2015-2021) for home modifications and wraparound services for older adult homeowners. Cathy Brill stated, "The Stulman Foundation supports HUBS because it works."
  • CCBC Nursing Assistant Scholarships: $213,237 over three years to address healthcare workforce needs and improve access for low-income students, with support services including a retention coordinator to help students navigate requirements and gain employment.

Key Success Factors

  • Focus on recovery and community integration rather than just treatment
  • Innovative approaches that address gaps in existing services
  • Programs serving Greater Baltimore and Maryland residents (95% of funding)
  • Evidence of sustainability and continued impact
  • Clear strategies for reaching underserved populations
  • Integration of services (e.g., combining housing modifications with supportive services, or scholarship funding with retention support)

Strategic Priorities

  • The foundation makes contributions specifically in mental health, health, and aging—as stipulated by Leonard Stulman
  • Projects should address "specific interests or issues" within these three areas
  • The foundation values programs that address unaddressed needs in the community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Lead with the stipulated priorities: Mental health, aging, or general health must be the central focus—these were Leonard Stulman's specific directives for the foundation
  • Geographic alignment is critical: 95% of funding goes to Greater Baltimore and Maryland; emphasize your local impact
  • Demonstrate innovation: The foundation seeks programs that address "specific interests or issues" and fill gaps in existing services
  • Focus on integration and access: Programs that integrate mental health into primary care or serve underserved populations (including minority communities and those with limited English proficiency) align with stated priorities
  • Start with a strong letter of inquiry: The 2-page LOI is your first impression; keep it concise and clearly demonstrate alignment with one of the three priority areas
  • Show comprehensive support: Successful grants like CCBC's nursing program included both direct financial aid and supportive services (retention coordinator)
  • The foundation is selective: With approximately 35 grants from $3.7-4.7 million annually, competition is significant; ensure strong alignment before applying

References

  1. Baltimore Community Foundation - Leonard & Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation page https://www.bcf.org/for-grantseekers/other-grant-opportunities/leonard-helen-r-stulman-charitable-foundation/ Accessed January 7, 2026

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Leonard And Helen R Stulman Charitable Foundation Inc (EIN: 52-1491609) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521491609 Accessed January 7, 2026

  3. Cause IQ - Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation profile https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/leonard-and-helen-r-stulman-charitable-foundation,521491609/ Accessed January 7, 2026

  4. Community College of Baltimore County - "CCBC awarded $213,000 grant by the Stulman Foundation to support scholarships for nursing assistant students" (May 12, 2020) https://www.ccbcmd.edu/About-CCBC/Newsroom/press-releases/2020/05/12/12/22/stulman-grant.aspx Accessed January 7, 2026

  5. Mayor Brandon M. Scott - "Mayor Scott Announces $9.6 Million For Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS)" (May 26, 2021) https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2021-05-26-mayor-scott-announces-96-million-housing-upgrades-benefit-seniors Accessed January 7, 2026

  6. Maryland Philanthropy Network - Leonard & Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation profile https://www.marylandphilanthropy.org/redhen/org/4330 Accessed January 7, 2026

← Back to US Funders Directory