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Hermann Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,553,045 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $497,500
  • Average Grant: $56,846
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Total Assets: $59.4 million - $102 million
  • Grants Awarded in 2024: 68 grants
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts (Boston, Worcester, Cape Cod), with additional focus on California, Connecticut, Maine, Nebraska, and Florida
  • Application Method: Rolling (by letter)

Contact Details

Maryann Copeland, Treasurer/Secretary
Hermann Foundation Inc
89 Shrewsbury Street, Suite 200
Worcester, MA 01604
Phone: (508) 755-7107
Alternate phone: (508) 756-4657

Overview

The Hermann Foundation Inc was established in February 2004 as a private grantmaking foundation in Worcester, Massachusetts. The foundation was created by the estate of Francoise Hermann, a noted philanthropist who wished to establish the foundation upon her death in memory of her father, who acquired the company that built the Statue of Liberty in the 1880s. With assets ranging from $59.4 million to $102 million, the foundation distributed $4.6 million in grants during 2024 across 68 awards. The foundation focuses on supporting education, healthcare and medical research, human services, arts and culture, and philanthropy initiatives, with a geographic emphasis on Massachusetts communities (particularly Boston, Worcester, and Cape Cod), as well as selective funding in California, Connecticut, Maine, Nebraska, and Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Hermann Foundation operates a single grantmaking program with a wide range of funding levels to accommodate diverse organizational needs and project scales:

  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $497,500
  • Average Grant: $56,846
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Application Method: Rolling basis by letter submission
  • Deadline: No fixed deadlines

Priority Areas

The foundation actively funds projects and organizations in the following areas:

  • Healthcare and Medical Research: Including ALS research, health services, and disease-specific support
  • Education: K-12 education, higher education, and educational access programs
  • Human Services: Family services, child welfare, and community support programs
  • Arts and Culture: Including performing arts organizations and cultural institutions
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting grantmaking infrastructure and volunteer programs
  • Land Conservation: Environmental protection and land trust initiatives
  • Housing: Affordable housing and housing assistance programs

Geographic Priorities

  • Primary Focus: Massachusetts (Boston, Worcester, Cape Cod area)
  • Secondary Focus: California, Connecticut, Maine, Nebraska, Florida

What They Don't Fund

  • Eligibility Requirement: Organizations must be Section 501(c)(3) public charities
  • Organizations outside the foundation's geographic focus areas may have limited success

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Staff

Maria Starzyk - President and Director

  • Works 35 hours/week
  • Compensation: $200,000
  • Provides strategic direction for the foundation's grantmaking

Maryann Copeland - Treasurer/Secretary and Director

  • Works 20 hours/week
  • Compensation: $75,000
  • Primary contact for grant applications
  • Oversees financial operations

Kerry Quinnin - Director

  • Works 12 hours/week
  • Compensation: $25,000
  • Participates in grant decision-making

Edward Starzyk - Director

  • Works 12 hours/week
  • Volunteer position (no compensation)
  • Board governance role

Jennifer Starzyk - Director

  • Works 12 hours/week
  • Volunteer position (no compensation)
  • Board governance role

Recent Notable Grant Recipients (2024)

The foundation's largest grants in 2024 demonstrate the breadth of their funding priorities:

  1. Stone Soup Leadership Institute - $497,500 (youth leadership and sustainability education)
  2. Compassionate Care ALS - $200,000 (ALS research and patient support)
  3. Golden State Ballet Foundation - $175,000 (California-based performing arts)
  4. The 300 Committee Land Trust - $175,000 (land conservation)
  5. Housing Assistance Corp of Cape Cod - $150,000 (affordable housing services)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hermann Foundation accepts applications through a letter-based process on a rolling basis:

Application Method: Submit a letter of inquiry/proposal to the foundation
Address: Maryann Copeland, Treasurer, 89 Shrewsbury Street, Suite 200, Worcester, MA 01604
Phone Contact: (508) 755-7107 or (508) 756-4657
Eligibility: Must be a Section 501(c)(3) public charity

Letter Requirements: While specific requirements are not publicly detailed, grant letters should typically include:

  • Organization background and mission
  • Description of the project or program seeking funding
  • Budget and funding request amount
  • Expected outcomes and impact
  • Documentation of 501(c)(3) status

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a rolling application process with no fixed deadlines, the foundation likely reviews applications throughout the year. Applicants should expect the review process to take several weeks to months depending on the request size and board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

With 68 grants awarded in 2024 and total annual distributions of approximately $4.6 million, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Specific data on total applications received or success rates is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations may submit applications on a rolling basis as the foundation does not have fixed deadlines.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grantmaking patterns and foundation priorities, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation shows strong preference for Massachusetts-based organizations, particularly in Worcester, Boston, and Cape Cod regions, with selective California funding. Organizations in these areas have higher likelihood of success.

Diverse Grant Size Strategy: With grants ranging from $1,000 to nearly $500,000 but an average of $56,846, the foundation funds organizations of varying sizes. Consider that the median grant of $50,000 suggests most awards cluster in the $25,000-$100,000 range, with occasional large transformational grants.

Focus Area Fit: Recent major grants show support for leadership development (Stone Soup Leadership Institute - $497,500), healthcare research (Compassionate Care ALS - $200,000), arts and culture (Golden State Ballet - $175,000), environmental conservation (The 300 Committee Land Trust - $175,000), and housing services (Housing Assistance Corp of Cape Cod - $150,000). Applications aligned with these demonstrated priorities have stronger potential.

Established Organizations: The foundation's large grants to well-established organizations suggest they support proven entities with track records, though smaller grants may be available to emerging organizations.

Mission-Driven Legacy: Understanding the foundation's origin story—created in memory of Francoise Hermann's father who acquired the company that built the Statue of Liberty—may provide insight into values of lasting impact, community building, and honoring legacy through philanthropy.

Multi-Year or Capital Support: The Camp Sunshine case study (where the foundation provided a $200,000 matching challenge for an endowment and capital campaign) demonstrates willingness to support capital projects and matching grant structures, not just annual operating support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic positioning is critical: Organizations in Massachusetts (especially Worcester, Boston, Cape Cod) and California have the strongest alignment with funding patterns

  • Wide funding range offers flexibility: With grants from $1,000 to $497,500 and an average of $56,846, the foundation can accommodate requests of various sizes—tailor your ask appropriately to your organization's scale and project scope

  • Rolling applications allow strategic timing: No fixed deadlines mean you can apply when your project is ready and when you have the strongest case to present

  • Diverse portfolio approach: Recent grants span healthcare, education, arts, environment, and human services—demonstrating the foundation's broad interests rather than narrow focus

  • Simple application process: Letter-based applications suggest a less burdensome process than full proposals, but ensure your letter is comprehensive and compelling

  • 501(c)(3) requirement is non-negotiable: Ensure your organization has current public charity status documentation ready

  • Contact for guidance: With a small staff team led by Maryann Copeland, consider reaching out by phone to discuss fit before submitting a formal application

References

  1. Grantmakers.io - Hermann Foundation Inc Profile. Retrieved from https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/562385301-hermann-foundation-inc/ (January 2026)

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hermann Foundation Inc (EIN: 56-2385301). Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/562385301 (January 2026)

  3. Instrumentl - Hermann Foundation Inc 990 Report. Retrieved from https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/hermann-foundation-inc (January 2026)

  4. Cause IQ - Hermann Foundation Profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/hermann-foundation,562385301/ (January 2026)

  5. Candid Foundation Directory - Hermann Foundation Inc. Retrieved from https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HERM414 (January 2026)

  6. Wolfe News - "Camp Sunshine Receives $200,000 Matching Challenge from the Hermann Foundation to Help Complete Endowment & Capital Campaign" (May 2013). Retrieved from http://www.wolfenews.com/releases/Camp-Sunshine-Receives-200000-Matching-Challenge-from-the-Hermann-Foundation-to-Help-Complete-Endowment--Capital-Campaign/02978/ (January 2026)

  7. Grantable - Hermann Foundation Inc Foundation Profile & Grants. Retrieved from https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/hermann-foundation-inc-us-foundation-562385301 (January 2026)

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