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Adler Schermer Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Adler Schermer Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$445k
Granted FY2024still arriving
4
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$300k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Education$1.5MArts & Culture$610kHealth$343kEnvironment$261kSocial Science$100kReligion$92kPhilanthropy$45kScience & Tech$15kOther$0
02FY2024 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k2 grants · $45k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $100k
  • $250k+1 grant · $300k
$100,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$4.5M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE$300,000
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION$100,000
SPRING FORWARD LEARNING CENTER$25,000
ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER$20,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–23, $4k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 86% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $2k → 14%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $1k → 14%RESPONSE: $300 → 6%RESPONSE HELP FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: $100 → 6%RESPONSE HELP FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: $100 → 6%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
NY
MA
IA
NJ
CA
CO
MO
AZ
KS
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

96%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.8M · 31 repeat orgs$112k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +70% since the first grant, against +26% for those funded once.

31 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2024, 28 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

31
22

Total granted

$2.8M
$87k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+70%
+26%

Still filing today

81%
41%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 94% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $25k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
EducationArts & CultureHealthEnvironmentHuman ServicesFood & NutritionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • RC
    RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE
    3× · 2019–2024 · $800k · revenue +20%
  • SU
    STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION
    5× · 2020–2024 · $560k · revenue +13%
  • MA
    MUSIC ASSOCIATES OF ASPEN INC
    6× · 2017–2023 · $205k · revenue +141%

Funded once

  • AC
    AMAZON CONSERVATION ASSOCIATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $25k · revenue +33%
  • GP
    GENESIS PHILANTHROPY
    one grant, 2019 · $12k
  • STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $10k · revenue +112%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Augustana College

Rooted in the liberal arts & sciences & lutheran expression of the christian faith, & is committed to offering a challenging education that develops qualities of mind, spirit, & body necessary for a rewarding life of leadership & service…

Education
2
American Society of Civil Engineers Inc

To provide essential value to our members, their careers, our partners, and the public, asce will: facilitate the advancement of technology; encourage and provide the tools for lifelong learning; promote professionalism and the profession;…

Science & Tech
3
American Association for the Advancement of Science

Advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all. the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its science family of journals,…

Science & Tech
4
American Geophysical Union

Agu's mission is to advance and support an inclusive community of earth and space scientists and partners dedicated to discovery and solutions to societal challenges. agu seeks to catalyze discovery and solutions to scientific and societal…

Science & Tech
5
Arizona Community Foundation

To lead, serve and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy for a better arizona.

Philanthropy
6
American Astronomical Society

The american astronomical society (aas), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in north america. the basic objective of the aas is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of…

Science & Tech
7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The mission of mit is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Education
8
American Museum of Natural History

The museum's mission statement is: "to discover, interpret, and disseminate - through scientific research and education - knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe."

Arts & Culture
9
Santa Fe Institute

The santa fe institute is a transdisciplinary research community that expands the boundaries of scientific understanding. its aim is to discover, comprehend, and communicate the common fundamental principles in complex physical,…

Science & Tech
10
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

See schedule ouniversity corporation for atmospheric research (ucar), on behalf of, and in cooperation with its member university members, is engaged in the management of long-term atmospheric and related research and educational…

Science & Tech
11
American Gas Association

American gas association's (the association) mission is to develop and advocate for informed, innovative, and durable policy that fulfills our nation's energy needs, environmental aspirations and economic potential. we are committed to…

—
12
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Aspen Institute Inc; the most unlike its peers is Figge Art Museum. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

38 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 38 of the 57 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
38/38
Grantees still filing
28/38
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE: $800,000 · EducationRIVERMONT COLLEGIATESTATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION: $560,000 · EducationSTATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATIONUniversity of Arizona Foundation: $51,500 · Education+8 more: $74,600 · EducationMUSIC ASSOCIATES OF ASPEN INC: $205,300 · Arts & CultureMUSIC ASSOCIATES OF ASP…QUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $167,100 · Arts & CultureQUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCH…ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER: $146,000 · Arts & CultureANDERSON RANCH ARTS CEN…FIGGE ART MUSEUM: $50,000 · Arts & CultureFIGGE ART MUSEUMSMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: $40,000 · Arts & CultureSMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION+2 more: $1,500 · Arts & CultureUNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION: $250,000 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF IOWA F…The Land Institute: $75,000 · OtherThe Land InstituteTEMPLE EMANUEL: $67,643 · OtherTEMPLE EMANUELASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (ACES): $35,000 · OtherASPEN CENTER FOR ENV…THE AMAZON BIODIVERSITY CENTER: $25,000 · OtherAspen Jewish Center: $18,100 · Other+23 more: $60,796 · Other+23 moreNAHANT MARSH EDUCATION CENTER: $91,333 · EnvironmentAMAZON CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: $25,000 · EnvironmentASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: $10,000 · EnvironmentTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $100,000 · Social ScienceASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $75,000 · HealthPathfinders: $4,000 · Health+2 more: $550 · HealthASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $31,550 · PhilanthropyCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA: $1,100 · Philanthropy
Education$1,486,100Arts & Culture$609,900Other$531,539Environment$126,333Social Science$100,000Health$79,550Philanthropy$32,650

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetRIVERMONT COLLEGIATE: $800,000 over 3y, 5.8% of budgetSTATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOUNDATION: $560,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetMUSIC ASSOCIATES OF ASPEN INC: $205,300 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetQUAD CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $167,100 over 6y, 2.4% of budgetANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER: $146,000 over 8y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ASPEN INSTITUTE INC: $100,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetNAHANT MARSH EDUCATION CENTER: $91,333 over 2y, 9.0% of budgetThe Land Institute: $75,000 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $75,000 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetUniversity of Arizona Foundation: $51,500 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetFIGGE ART MUSEUM: $50,000 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetSMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: $40,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $31,550 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetSPRING FORWARD LEARNING CENTER: $25,000 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetTHE AMAZON BIODIVERSITY CENTER: $25,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetAMAZON CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION: $25,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetAspen Jewish Center: $18,100 over 7y, 0.6% of budgetPresident and Fellows of Harvard College: $15,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetUniversity of Illinois Foundation: $15,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: $10,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetSTEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMary Institute and St Louis Country Day School: $6,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetSHARE OUR STRENGTH: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCAMP NEBAGAMON: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPathfinders: $4,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetTHE MOOG CENTER FOR DEAF EDUCATION: $3,200 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCommunity Food Bank Inc: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA: $1,100 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetArizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund Inc: $900 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetResponse - Help for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault: $500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMECP2 DUPLICATION FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetNATIONAL RAILROAD HALL OF FAME INC: $200 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetASPEN CENTER FOR PHYSICS: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE FOUNDATION FOR BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Greater Cincinnat…Marie H Bechtel Chari…Rauch Family Foundati…Hubbell-Waterman FndnThe Rock Island Commu…Scott County Regional…Jewish Community Foun…Quad Cities Golf Clas…Quad Cities Community…Baird Foundation IncAmerican Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…
The Greater Cincinnati FoundationOH14.3× affinity5 shared granteesties to 7 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation · Marie H Bechtel Charitable Trust · Rauch Family Foundation I Inc · Hubbell-Waterman Fndn · The Rock Island Community Foundation · Scott County Regional Authority · Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona · Quad Cities Golf Classic Charitable Foundation · Quad Cities Community Foundation · Baird Foundation Inc · American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Adler Schermer Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Adler Schermer Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →median 7%
  • President and Fellows of Harvard College: 7% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Adler Schermer Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Adler Schermer Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 57 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Adler Schermer’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home