Strengthening New York Communities
What began as a direct response to the struggles of underserved New York communities has evolved into a deeper mission to support the organizing and advocacy targeting the root of those issues, envisioning lasting systemic change.
33%
of Scherman Foundation Giving in 2021
A passion for New York City has informed the Scherman Foundation’s grantmaking since the beginning. In our first five decades, the Foundation assisted disadvantaged people in New York City by supporting charities that provided direct social services, including healthcare; medical cost and rent assistance; resources for homeless people, people in prison, and formerly incarcerated citizens; and employment training.
However, it became increasingly clear that these small grants were not likely to make a significant difference to direct-service organizations, which are often more well-funded than grassroots efforts. Even more important, new realizations about what brings about systemic change necessitated a new approach. We believe that supporting grassroots mobilization that engages and empowers community residents to define the problems (and solutions) that directly affect their neighborhoods—and enables them to influence related policies and practices—is a more effective way to achieve long-term benefits.
The Foundation now focuses entirely on community-based advocacy and grassroots organizing around affordable housing, sustainability, civil rights, low-income community empowerment, and economic and environmental justice, among other emerging issues rooted deeply in the causes of inequity in New York City.