Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to policy and human rights, the environment, health, human services and Jewish causes. Grantmaking prioritizes New York.
IP TAKE: The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. Tax filings show that this funder tends to provide multi-year support to many of its grantees. It does not appear to run a formal application program, but grantseekers who feel that this funder is a good match for their organizations may wish to write this foundation and introduce your work via snail mail.
PROFILE: The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation was established in New York City in 1986 by the late Morris “Marty” Silverman, who was a businessman and philanthropist. The foundation does not have a website, but tax filings show that it supports organizations whose work relates to democracy, discrimination, health, education, the environment, human services, human rights, civil liberties and Jewish causes. More than half of this funder’s grants stay in New York.
Grants for Civic and Democracy
Tax filings suggest that the foundation broadly funds democracy, civic engagement and voting rights efforts in the United States and Israel. Past grantees include Human Rights Watch, People for the American Way, the League of Women Voters, the Voter Participation Center, the New Israel Fund, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Grants for Environment
The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation’s past tax filings show that the foundation makes regular donations to major national and international environmental nonprofits. Grantees include EarthJustice, Earth Justice Works, the Southern Environmental Law Center, Food and Water Watch and the Council on the Environment.
Grants for Security and Human Rights
Policy and human rights are top top priorities for this funder. The foundation appears to focus on national and international progressive organizations like People for the American Way, the Center for Reproductive Rights and ProPublica, as well as statewide organizations including New York Immigration Coalition, International Rescue Committee, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and the New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation.
Grants for Public Health
Tax filings suggest that the foundation supports greater access to quality health care, especially for the elderly and vulnerable. It also promotes reproductive health and rights. Marty Silverman had a major interest in medical research and bankrolled the $50 million Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, which launched in 2001 and will award a cash prize of $500,000 annually for a century.
Other health grantees include the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, the International Medical Corps, Doctors Without Borders, the Albany Medical Center Foundation, the Carter Burden Network, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Reproductive Health Access Project, Planned Parenthood and the Mount Sinai Health System of New York.
Grants for Jewish Causes
The Silverman Foundation gives to Jewish organizations across all areas of grantmaking. Grantees include Dorot Inc., the New Israel Fund, the Jewish Community Center of Coney Island and the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $25,000 to $575,000.
While the foundation supports organizations across the United States, it does show a preference for those based in New York City.
Tax filings suggest that this funder prefers progressive causes.
Silverman’s largest giving areas are democracy and human rights.
This funder maintains a low profile and does not appear to accept applications for funding.
Contact information for this foundation is provided below.
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CONTACT:
Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation
130 E 59th St, 1102
New York City, NY 10022-1302
(212 832-9170
