Mission and History

The Scherman Foundation supports the arts and organizations that use community organizing and advocacy to build a more just, sustainable, and equitable New York, as well as those that strengthen democracy and advance environmental and reproductive justice nationwide. In its grantmaking, the Foundation prioritizes movement-building, long-term general operating grants, and funding groups led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color whose work addresses and dismantles systemic racism. The Foundation has a special commitment to New York City, focusing its Arts and Strengthening New York Communities programs exclusively there.

The Foundation was founded in 1941 by Harry Scherman, founder of the Book-of-the-Month Club, as a small family foundation with average annual giving of about $100,000. He led the Foundation for almost 30 years, providing critical support to a broad range of organizations including the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Young Concert Artists, Mannes College of Music, the Little Orchestra Society, the New York Public Library, and several Jewish philanthropies.

Upon Scherman’s death in 1969, Axel Rosin, the husband of Katharine Scherman Rosin—Harry Scherman’s daughter—became President of the Foundation. Mr. Rosin also served as President, and then Chairman of the Board, of the Book-of-the-Month Club from 1960 until its merger with Time Inc. in 1977. A portion of the merger proceeds went to the Foundation, as did substantial bequests from Harry Scherman, his wife Bernardine, and their son Tom, increasing its endowment and annual giving ten-fold. These bequests enabled the hiring of a professional staff and the expansion of giving to include support for organizations in the fields of conservation, peace and disarmament, community action and social welfare, human rights and liberties, family planning, and the arts. During this period, the Foundation provided early support to pioneering organizations including the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Physicians for Social Responsibility, as well as special projects including the creation and distribution in 1975 of a Vietnamese/English language and life guide for newly arrived immigrants. Distinguished Board members have included William Allen White, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Felix Rohatyn, Helen Edey, George Gallup, and Archibald Murray.

In 1993, Rosin became Chairman, and Dr. Karen Rosin Sollins succeeded her father as President. Dr. Sollins assumed the role of Chair in 1997 when the roles of President and Executive Director were merged into a single professional position. In 2021, Marianna Schaffer succeeded Dr. Sollins as Chair. Staff leadership has been provided by David Freeman (1978-1993), Sandra Silverman (1993-2009), and Mike Pratt (2009-present).

The Scherman Foundation focuses on five issue areas: Arts, Environmental and Climate Justice, Democracy,  Reproductive Justice, and Strengthening New York Communities.