The Scherman Foundation Allocates $2.2 M in June 2026 Grantmaking
Today, the Scherman Foundation is pleased to announce a total of $2.2 million in new grants as part of a special June docket. Funding supports organizations in two of our core program areas—Arts and Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ)—but most of the funding is allocated to grantees under the Response Fund and Future Fund, which were launched in August 2025. These are part of the Foundation’s two-year, $10 million pledge to bolster organizations in crisis and support non-profit partners fighting to preserve civil society and defend diverse communities under attack.
Scherman made nine core grants totaling $970,000 this June.
Most of the June funding—a total of $1.24 million to 19 organizations—is allocated to Response Fund grantees. The Response Fund provides special, one-time grants to organizations subjected to punitive policies or being unduly scrutinized or attacked. Organizations receiving this funding may also be core grantees.
In total, there are five organizations working to protect democracy and build power among historically marginalized communities. These organizations are conducting election protection work, leading voter access and engagement efforts, and preparing for election defense and litigation.
Most of this June’s Response Fund portfolio is dedicated to organizations that are defending immigrant communities outside of New York City. This includes nine new partners working in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, the Catskills, and Western New York. As the federal government increases attacks on immigrants with false narratives, arrests, detentions, and deportations, some of the most vulnerable people are facing stark consequences. Scherman is proud to partner with nonprofits that remain committed to serving communities—with mutual aid, legal services, advocacy, and a range of health services—even when their own safety is on the line.
The Future Fund, which seeds innovation and supports movement building, is providing one grant.
With this round of funding, the Response Fund and Future Fund have provided $7.33 million toward the $10 million pledge.
“With nearly three-fourths of the Response Fund and Future Fund money now committed, there are zero regrets,” said program director Gisela Alvarez. “Our partners are on the ground and in the trenches every single day, working to protect their communities and build a more vibrant, multiracial democracy that values diversity.”
The full list of June 2026 grantees is as follows:
Core Grants
Bronx Documentary Center
Bronx Museum of Art
Earth Justice
IndieSpace
La Mama ETC
Laundromat Project
National Black Theatre
People’s Action Institute
Relative Arts, Indigiqueer
Response Fund Grants
Bronx Documentary Center
Columbia County Sanctuary Movement
Funders for Reproductive Equity
Long Island Immigrant Justice Alliance, Enlace Services, Inc.
Make the Road New York
Michigan Voices
New York Community Trust, Long Island
Ohio Voice
Organización Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island
Pennsylvania Voice
Playwrights Horizons
Rural & Migrant Ministry
State Voices
Unlocal
VOCAL-NY
Civic Nation, We the Action
Workers’ Center of Central New York
Worker Justice Center of New York
Future Fund Grants
Leadership for Democracy & Social Justice
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The Scherman Foundation invests in the economic, political, and cultural transformation necessary for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to reclaim and build power. Learn more about our vision and current grantmaking priorities.
While our Response and Future Fund grants are by invitation only, the LOI process for our Core Grantmaking will next open in February 2027. More information will be posted to our website. We invite funding partners and press to contact us with questions at info@scherman.org.