Meyer And Deanne Sharlin Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information in Form 990-PF filings
• Success Rate: N/A - No public application process
• Decision Time: N/A - Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Varies by organization
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Washington DC area and New York

Contact Details

No public contact information available. Foundation operates through trustee relationships.

Overview

The Meyer and Deanne Sharlin Foundation is a private family foundation established by Meyer H. "Mickey" Sharlin and Deanne Hammond Sharlin, passionate art collectors who passed away in 2018 and earlier. The foundation has made 102 grants in its most recent reporting year, focusing primarily on arts and culture organizations, particularly contemporary public art, and Jewish institutions. As a private foundation with no public application process, it makes grants through trustee discretion to established organizations with which it has existing relationships. The foundation's philanthropy directly reflects the founders' lifelong passion for art collecting and their commitment to Jewish community support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formal grant programs but provides support in two main areas:

• Arts and Culture Grants: Major multi-year support to institutions like Public Art Fund
• Jewish Community Support: Grants to organizations like Union for Reform Judaism

Priority Areas

• Contemporary public art and visual arts
• Cultural institutions with national impact
• Reform Judaism and Jewish community organizations
• Arts education and accessibility

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on grant patterns the foundation does not appear to fund:

• Individual artists
• Small grassroots organizations without established track records
• Organizations outside arts/culture and Jewish sectors

Governance and Leadership

Following the death of founder Deanne Hammond Sharlin in October 2018 (predeceased by her husband Meyer), the foundation is now managed by trustees whose names are available in Form 990-PF filings. The founders were Washington DC-area residents who traveled the world collecting original art, which informed their philanthropic focus.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion to organizations with existing relationships to the foundation or its trustees.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations already supported by the foundation include Public Art Fund (major ongoing supporter for exhibitions 2023-2026) and Union for Reform Judaism. The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through existing relationships in the arts and Jewish philanthropic communities, particularly organizations that align with the founders' passion for contemporary art collecting.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made at trustee discretion without public timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - relationship-based grant-making.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through relationships rather than applications, organizations that receive support typically:

• Are established institutions with national recognition (Public Art Fund, Union for Reform Judaism)
• Demonstrate excellence in contemporary art or Jewish community service
• Have multi-year track records of impact
• Align with the founders' documented interests in art collecting and Jewish life
• May have board members or leadership connected to the foundation's trustees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation with no public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The foundation made 102 grants in its most recent year, indicating active but targeted grant-making
• Focus areas directly reflect founders' personal interests: contemporary art (particularly public art) and Reform Judaism
• Known recipients are major, established institutions rather than emerging organizations
• Multi-year support is provided to select organizations (Public Art Fund has ongoing major support 2023-2026)
• Full financial details and trustee information available in Form 990-PF filings through ProPublica or IRS database
• Organizations seeking support would need introductions through existing grantees or trustee networks

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings for EIN 923830845
• CauseIQ Private Foundations Directory - Maryland foundations data showing 102 grants
• Public Art Fund website - Major supporters listings for exhibitions 2023-2026
• Legacy.com/Sagel Bloomfield Funeral Home - Deanne Sharlin obituary, October 28, 2018
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search - Foundation status verification