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The Silver Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Silver Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$71k
Granted FY2024still arriving
35
Grants FY2024still arriving
13
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0195% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Crime & Legal$106kEducation$101kCivil Rights$31kEnvironment$17kHealth$10kFood & Nutrition$6kPublic Benefit$3kHuman Services$2kOther$0
02FY2024 · 35 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 35 grants below total $69,620, the rows itemized in this filing. The $71,095 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $1,475 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k34 grants · $20k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
$200
Median grant
13
States reached
$200k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Brennan Center for Justice NYU School of Law$50,000
CAASE - Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation$8,500
Care For Real c/o Karen Feiler$2,000
Hampshire College$2,000
Climate Mobilization Project$800
Mississippi Center for Justice$500
Southern Poverty Law Center$500
NRDC - Natural Resources Defence Council$500
Earthwatch Institute$500
Earthjustice$500
Environmental Defense Fund$500
Friends of the Earth DC$400
Japanese American Foundation$300
League of Conservation Voters Education foundation$300
Center for Reproductive Rights$200
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

54%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$149k · 41 repeat orgs$130k to everyone else

41 repeat relationships: 27 still active in FY2024, 14 since wound down; 7 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

41
28

Total granted

$149k
$77k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+27%
+41%

Still filing today

63%
46%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 24% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $53k went to new ones.

50%100%’18’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’18’22’23’24
EnvironmentEducationCivil RightsHealthInternationalPublic BenefitOther
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

  • WILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC
    3× · 2018–2023 · $17k · revenue +211%
  • CARE FOR REAL
    2× · 2022–2023 · $5k · revenue +28%
  • ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED
    4× · 2018–2024 · $2k · revenue +111%

Funded once

  • TU
    THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION CURE VIOLENCE
    one grant, 2018 · $55k
  • TR
    THE ROGER BALWIN FOUDATION OF ACLU INC
    one grant, 2018 · $5k
  • NE
    NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH
    one grant, 2018 · $3k
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.

03Its 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
Center for International Environmental Law Inc

To investigate, research, write, publish, present conferences and teach with respect to global, regional, transboundary, and comparative environmental issues and to make the findings from such activities available to the general public; to…

International
2
Third Way

To research and develop centrist policy ideas.

Civil Rights
3
Competitive Enterprise Institute

Competitive enterprise institute (cei) is a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government. we believe that consumers are best helped not by government regulation but by being…

—
4
World Resources Institute

Wri is committed to creating change that improves people's lives and ensures the natural world can thrive. (see schedule o)wri's bold vision requires a formula for success we call "count it. change it. scale it.":- count it: our work is…

International
5
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
6
Open Markets Institute

The open markets institute works to help people relearn how to use competition policy to build stronger democracies, more just and equitable societies, more innovative and sustainable economies, and a more secure and peaceful world.

Education
7
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

Founded in 1889, the national association of regulatory utility commisioners (naruc) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the state public service commisions who regulate the utilities that provide essential services such…

—
8
Cdp North America Inc

Cdp north america, inc. 's ("cdp-na") vision for the future is a thriving economy that works for people and planet in the long term. we focus investors and companies on taking urgent action to build a truly sustainable economy by measuring…

Environment
9
National Opinion Research Center

See schedule onorc at the university of chicago conducts research and data science on critical societal issues to guide decision-making and the development of programs and public policy. our experts identify relationships and trends, and…

Social Science
10
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
11
National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

The national caucus of environmental legislators empowers a nonpartisan network of legislative champions to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment.

Education
12
Watttime Corporation

To raise awareness about the potential to reduce environmental harm by shifting electricity use to particular times; to encourage the development and spread of common protocols for this practice.

Science & Tech
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is People for the American Way; the most unlike its peers is Institute for Energy & Environmental Research. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

41 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. 41 of the 77 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)
3
Early backer (in before they grew)
41/41
Grantees still filing
30/41
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION CURE VIOLENCE: $55,000 · OtherTHE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION CURE VIOLENCEBrennan Center for Justice NYU School of Law: $50,000 · OtherBrennan Center for Justice NYU School of LawCAASE - Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation: $18,000 · OtherCAASE - Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation+50 more: $28,640 · Other+50 moreHAMPSHIRE COLLEGE TRUSTEES: $82,000 · EducationHAMPSHIRE COLLEGE TRUSTEESWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $16,650 · EducationWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC+3 more: $2,500 · EducationClimate Mobilization Project Inc: $3,275 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $2,025 · EnvironmentEARTHJUSTICE: $2,025 · EnvironmentNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $1,000 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF THE EARTH: $500 · EnvironmentTHE CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION INC: $500 · Environment+1 more: $105 · EnvironmentGLOBAL LYME ALLIANCE INC: $3,250 · HealthPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $1,000 · HealthPlanned Parenthood of Illinois: $525 · HealthTHE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION: $400 · HealthCARE FOR REAL: $4,950 · Human ServicesChicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation: $2,000 · Civil RightsAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $975 · Civil RightsTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $650 · Civil RightsHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION: $255 · Civil RightsPEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY FOUNDATION: $200 · Civil RightsSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $1,525 · Crime & LegalMISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE: $1,225 · Crime & Legal
Other$151,640Education$101,150Environment$9,430Health$5,175Human Services$4,950Civil Rights$4,080Crime & Legal$2,750

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetHAMPSHIRE COLLEGE TRUSTEES: $82,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetWILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC: $16,650 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCARE FOR REAL: $4,950 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetClimate Mobilization Project Inc: $3,275 over 3y, 0.5% of budgetGLOBAL LYME ALLIANCE INC: $3,250 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $2,025 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetEARTHJUSTICE: $2,025 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetChicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INC: $1,525 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetGIVE N KIND: $1,250 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE: $1,225 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetEARTHWATCH INSTITUTE INC: $1,025 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC: $975 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetINSTITUTE FOR ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH: $700 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INC: $650 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetPlanned Parenthood of Illinois: $525 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE EARTH: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND: $400 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION: $400 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetFOOD & WATER WATCH: $385 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND: $305 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetHUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION: $255 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPUBLIC CITIZEN FOUNDATION INC: $255 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY FOUNDATION: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CARTER CENTER INC: $185 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetFAMILY MATTERS INC: $155 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetWINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS INC: $155 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetSIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION: $105 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetWOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL: $105 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFOOD ALLERGY RESEARCH & EDUCATION INC: $105 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCAMFED USA FOUNDATION: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SIERRA FOUNDATION: $100 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetNATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INC: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCerqua Rivera Dance Theatre: $20 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 Chicago Community…AbbVie FoundationJpmorgan Chase Founda…Morgan Stanley Global…National Philanthropi…Donor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
The Chicago Community TrustIL15.4× affinity6 shared granteesties to 7 of 7Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · AbbVie Foundation · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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.

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 77 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.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2025) is on record and reports $48k of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2024, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Silver’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