STATEMENT OF POLICY

The Scherman Foundation was founded in 1941 by Harry Scherman, founder of the Book-of-the-Month Club, as a small family foundation. From a modest giving program, averaging about one hundred thousand dollars a year, the Scherman Foundation has grown and broadened its interests. To date, it has made more than 6,761 grants, totaling almost 110 million dollars.

The giving program of the Foundation emphasizes long-term general support,  reflecting the Directors' commitment to sustained support for current grantees, and the belief that strong nonprofit leaders who are closest to the issues can best decide on the most effective use of grant funds.

The main areas of interest of the Scherman Foundation are the environment, human rights and liberties, peace and security, reproductive rights and services, the arts, and social welfare. In the last two areas particularly, preference is given to organizations in New York City. The Foundation does not fund colleges, universities or professional schools. No grants are made for medical, science or engineering research, nor does the Foundation make grants to capital campaigns, individuals, or in support of conferences, specific media or arts productions.