Scherman Foundation's New Website & Other News

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Grantees:

We hope that you and your loved ones are all safe and well as we continue to move forward collectively through this challenging year. We are reaching out to share the exciting launch of our new website and branding, which includes a redesign and new language to reflect the Foundation’s current priorities and goals, as well as our dedication to uplifting the great work of our grantees.

In addition to the new site, we would also like to use this opportunity to share additional news and updates:

In response to the Covid-19 crisis this year, the uprising in support of Black Lives and racial equity, and the growing threat to American democracy from voter suppression and manipulation, the Foundation decided to make an additional $1 million in grants in 2020, primarily in support of movement-building organizations and those engaged in election protection and voter education, with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. A small portion of that total has been allocated to small arts organizations particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Half of that additional $1 million in grant spending was offset by a delay of the 2020 round of new Rosin program grants.
 
In the past year, we have welcomed four new members to the Scherman Foundation’s Board: Rini Banerjee, Steve Choi, Marianna Schaffer, and Peter Sollins. You can learn more about them, as well as the rest of our Board, here.
 
We also said goodbye to a beloved Director, Gordon Litwin, who passed in April. For 20 years, Gordon brought good humor and crucial insights to our shared work in the areas of environmental and public policy. We shall miss his counsel, the twinkle in his eye, and his enthusiastic embrace of life.
 
Again, we wish you all well and encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or comments as we continue to fight for a more just, equitable, democratic, and sustainable society.

Signed,
The Staff of the Scherman Foundation