Vntc Cottee Alvin Sherman Fam Foundation 011635
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $2.2 million
- Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: $100,000 median grant size
- Geographic Focus: United States
Contact Details
- Address: 9111 NW 13th Street, Plantation, FL 33322
- Phone: Not publicly available
- Email: Not publicly available
- Website: None identified
Overview
The Vntc Cottee Alvin Sherman Fam Foundation 011635 is a private foundation established in 1993 in Plantation, Florida. With total assets of approximately $64 million and annual distributions of $2.2 million, the foundation operates as a family foundation focusing on supporting preselected charitable organizations. The foundation's stated purpose is to "locate qualified tax exempt organizations and donate to them to further their tax exempt purpose." The foundation receives significant annual contributions of approximately $7.3 million, indicating active family involvement in its philanthropic activities.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation operates through trustee-directed grants with no public application process. Recent grants have ranged from $200,000 to $750,000, with a median grant size of $100,000.
Priority Areas
Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation appears to prioritize:
- LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy organizations
- Arts and cultural institutions, particularly theater
- Educational initiatives
- Legal advocacy and civil rights organizations
What They Don't Fund
As an invitation-only funder, the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations outside their preselected pool.
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by:
- Jayne Sherman - Trustee (8 hours/week, $350,000 compensation)
- Lanny Kalik - Management Advisor (5 hours/week, $345,000 compensation)
The foundation operates with a minimal structure, focusing on direct grantmaking to organizations identified by the trustees.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and vetted independently.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - decisions are made internally by trustees for preselected organizations.
Success Rates
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable - organizations are selected by invitation only.
Application Success Factors
Organizations that have received funding from the foundation share several characteristics:
- Strong track records in LGBTQ+ advocacy, arts, or education
- National or regional prominence in their fields
- Alignment with progressive social causes
- Established reputations and proven impact
Recent major recipients include Our Fund Inc ($750,000), Vineyard Theater ($450,000), Lambda Legal ($285,000), and Sage ($200,000), indicating the foundation's preference for organizations with significant capacity and reach.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process
- The foundation supports a limited number of organizations (13 grants in 2024) with relatively large grants
- Focus areas include LGBTQ+ advocacy, arts/theater, and civil rights
- Building relationships with the trustees would be essential for any organization hoping to be considered
- The foundation maintains a consistent giving pattern to its selected beneficiaries
- With $64 million in assets and active contribution inflows, the foundation has substantial capacity for long-term support
References
- Grantmakers.io Profile - Vntc Cottee Alvin Sherman Fam Foundation 011635. Accessed December 31, 2025. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/650419459-vntc-cottee-alvin-sherman-fam-foundation-011635/
- Foundation financial and grant data from IRS Form 990 filings as compiled by Grantmakers.io