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Robert I Schattner Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.9M
Grant Range
$80K - $0.8M

Robert I Schattner Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,906,000 (2023)
  • Total Given Since Founding: Over $50 million
  • Number of Grants (2023): 97 awards
  • Grant Range: $80,000 - $750,000+ (based on featured grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia region
  • Application Process: No public application process (invitation-only/trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address:
11200 Rockville Pike
Suite 203
Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: 301-816-7926

Website: www.schattnerfoundation.org

Email: Available through website contact form at schattnerfoundation.org/contact-us/

Overview

The Robert I Schattner Foundation Inc is a private charitable foundation established in 1992 by Dr. Robert I. Schattner, a dentist, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist who created Chloraseptic sore-throat spray and Sporicidin disinfectant products. Dr. Schattner passed away in 2017 from complications of kidney failure, which has deeply influenced the foundation's giving priorities, particularly around kidney disease programs. Since its founding, the foundation has donated more than $50 million to causes that positively impact people's lives. In 2023 alone, the foundation distributed $7,906,000 across 97 grants. The foundation operates primarily in the Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia region, with a strategic focus on health and human services (especially kidney disease and dental care), education and research, and Jewish services. The foundation is known for making substantial multi-year commitments to organizations, often building long-term partnerships rather than one-time grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion and invitation. Featured grants demonstrate the following funding patterns:

  • Major Health Infrastructure: $450,000 - $750,000 (medical facilities, mobile clinics, specialized care centers)
  • Education & Workforce Development: $500,000 (scholarship programs, job training)
  • Multi-Year Health Partnerships: $1,000,000+ over multiple years (ongoing program support)
  • Community Health Services: Amounts vary (dental care expansion, food programs, emergency response)
  • Emergency/Crisis Response: Grant amounts not publicly disclosed (rapid response to urgent needs locally and internationally)

Priority Areas

Health & Human Services:

  • Kidney disease programs (children's programs, patient financial assistance, health screenings, education)
  • Dental care access and education for underserved communities
  • Mobile health clinics and community health centers
  • Spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation
  • Medically-tailored meal programs for individuals with chronic diseases
  • Emergency medical response services

Education & Research:

  • Job training and certification scholarships
  • Workforce development programs
  • Health education programs (dental hygiene, disease prevention)
  • Programs serving students and families in need

Jewish Services:

  • Emergency medical equipment and humanitarian response (United Hatzalah of Israel)
  • Crisis response and international humanitarian efforts
  • Jewish community services and support

Geographic Focus:

  • Primary emphasis on Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia region
  • Selective international grants for emergency/humanitarian response (Israel, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publish explicit exclusions. However, based on their giving history, funding appears focused on:

  • Direct service organizations (not advocacy or policy work)
  • Health, education, and social services (not arts, environment, or animal welfare)
  • Organizations serving the DC/Maryland/Virginia region (limited international giving except for emergency response)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Sidney Bresler - Chairman and President
Sidney Bresler was a lifelong friend of Dr. Schattner and became his close personal confidant, assisting him in developing philanthropic strategy, vetting charitable opportunities, and ensuring charitable wishes were fulfilled. Before becoming Chairman, Sidney practiced law and subsequently ran his family's real estate company. Sidney ensures that the philanthropic endeavors undertaken by the foundation keep Dr. Schattner's spirit alive.

Robert T. Schattner - Board Member
Nephew of founder Dr. Robert I. Schattner.

Robert H. Sievers - Board Member
A CPA who first met Dr. Schattner in 1995 when hired as Controller for the Sporicidin Company. He later became Dr. Schattner's accountant, financial advisor, and friend until Dr. Schattner's death in 2017.

Maria Gomez - Board Member and Secretary
Appointed to the Board of Directors on January 1, 2023, and serves as Secretary of the Schattner Foundation.

Leadership Philosophy

According to the foundation's website, Chairman Sidney Bresler, in conjunction with the other board members, ensures that the philanthropic endeavors undertaken by the foundation keep Dr. Schattner's spirit alive by making a difference in the communities served. Dr. Schattner's personal experience with kidney failure profoundly influences the foundation's focus on kidney disease programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and direct invitation. The foundation appears to proactively identify organizations that align with their mission and geographic focus, rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Organizations that have received grants typically have:

  • An established presence in the Maryland/Virginia/DC region
  • Programs directly aligned with the foundation's focus areas (kidney disease, dental care, education, Jewish services)
  • The capacity to deliver significant community impact
  • Often built relationships over time through multiple grants

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns, the following specific insights may be helpful:

Board Members' Network:
The board members have deep roots in the Maryland/DC business and philanthropic community. Sidney Bresler (Chairman) has a background in law and real estate; Robert Sievers worked as Controller for Dr. Schattner's Sporicidin Company. These connections suggest the board identifies organizations through their professional networks and community involvement.

Established Partnerships:
The foundation favors building long-term relationships with grantees. For example, they have supported American Kidney Fund with over $1 million since 2018, and Mary's Center has received "multiple rounds of funding." This suggests that rather than seeking new applicants, they deepen existing partnerships.

Geographic Proximity:
Being based in Rockville, MD, the foundation shows strong preference for organizations serving the DC/Maryland/Virginia region. Local visibility and impact in this area appears important.

Contact Approach:
The foundation maintains a contact form on their website (schattnerfoundation.org/contact-us/) and lists a phone number (301-816-7926). While they don't accept unsolicited proposals, organizations may contact them to introduce their work, though there is no indication this leads to funding opportunities.

Decision Timeline

No public information is available about decision timelines, as grants are made at the discretion of the trustees rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation awards grants by invitation only.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation rather than application, traditional "success factors" don't apply. However, analyzing their featured grants reveals what the foundation values:

Personal Connection to Kidney Disease:
Dr. Schattner died from kidney failure, and this has profoundly shaped the foundation's priorities. LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of American Kidney Fund, noted: "We are deeply grateful to the Schattner Foundation for their generous support over the years." The foundation has given over $1 million to American Kidney Fund since 2018, supporting children's programs, health screenings, educational sessions, and financial assistance for kidney patients in DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Founder's Professional Legacy - Dental Care:
Dr. Schattner was a dentist, which explains the foundation's strong support for dental care access. Mary's Center received multiple grants for dental care expansion. The Girl Scouts Nation's Capital received funding to create the Big Smile Patch Program focused on dental hygiene education. Richard Gesker, DMD from Mary's Center, acknowledged: "The expansion, largely made possible by the generous support of the Schattner Foundation."

Scale and Infrastructure:
The foundation makes substantial investments in infrastructure and capacity-building:

  • $750,000 to open the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury's third location
  • $500,000 to establish the Robert I. Schattner Job Training and Certification Scholarship at Montgomery College
  • $450,000 for operating expenses of a new mobile health clinic at Casa Ruben

Direct Service to Vulnerable Populations:
Organizations serving people facing health crises, economic challenges, or chronic diseases receive priority. Carrie Stoltzfus, Executive Director of Food & Friends, noted when receiving a two-year grant: "The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has the highest rate of chronic kidney disease," demonstrating alignment with both geographic focus and health priorities.

Measurable Community Impact:
Featured grants emphasize specific numbers and outcomes:

  • Mary's Center serves over 65,000 people in the DC metro area
  • Food & Friends receives funding for 15,000 medically-tailored meals annually for individuals with stage 5 renal disease
  • Montgomery College scholarship provides up to $4,000 per student for tuition, fees, books, and career support

Emergency Response Capacity:
The foundation responds to urgent crises. United Hatzalah of Israel received emergency grants following October 7, 2023 events, with Founder Eli Beer stating: "The Robert I. Schattner Foundation has played an important role in ensuring the safety of lives."

Long-Term Partnership Approach:
Organizations receiving multiple rounds of funding over years (American Kidney Fund since 2018, Mary's Center with "multiple rounds") suggest the foundation values sustained relationships over one-time grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder - Do not submit unsolicited proposals. The foundation identifies and approaches organizations that align with their mission.

  • Geographic focus is critical - Nearly all featured grants serve Maryland, Virginia, and/or District of Columbia. Organizations outside this region (except international emergency response) are unlikely to be considered.

  • Personal mission connection matters - Dr. Schattner's death from kidney failure and career as a dentist directly shaped priorities. Organizations working in kidney disease or dental care access for underserved populations align strongly with the foundation's mission.

  • Think infrastructure and capacity, not small projects - Featured grants range from $80,000 to $750,000+, supporting major initiatives like opening new facilities, establishing scholarship programs, or funding operating expenses for new services.

  • Multi-year relationships are preferred - The foundation builds long-term partnerships rather than making one-time grants. First-time funding may lead to sustained support if impact is demonstrated.

  • Demonstrate scale and measurable impact - Grants support organizations serving thousands of people with specific, quantifiable outcomes (15,000 meals, 65,000 patients served, $4,000 per scholarship recipient).

  • Be prepared to act quickly in crisis situations - The foundation has shown capacity to provide rapid emergency response funding for urgent humanitarian needs both locally and internationally.

References

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