This small family foundation concentrates its giving on supporting local hospital care and clinical excellence, with large gifts directed to a suburban hospital foundation for capital and nursing/ED improvements. It also makes occasional targeted gifts to arts education programs that expand access for low‑income young dancers internationally. Overall, the portfolio signals a primary interest in improving healthcare delivery in the foundation’s community with a secondary interest in equitable access to performing arts opportunities.
Sandra and Gilbert Oken Foundation C/o Stuart Schooler’s recent giving is anchored by repeated support for Suburban Hospital Foundation in Bethesda, including two $50,000 grants in 2025 and another $50,000 grant in 2024 tied to emergency department modernization and nursing excellence. That pattern places hospital care and clinical quality at the center of the foundation’s philanthropy. The foundation also makes smaller, targeted grants across a wider set of charitable organizations, usually at the $5,000 to $10,000 level, with awards reaching healthcare, arts, veterans, and Jewish communal groups. In the healthcare category, its gifts suggest interest in both capital improvements and workforce support, not just general charity. Outside medicine, it has backed an international performing arts program for young dancers with limited means, showing a second track of project-specific support. The mix of repeated hospital funding and selective program grants points to a family foundation that uses concentrated gifts for core priorities and modest awards for aligned nonprofit goals.
Healthcare is the clearest theme in the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, it gave $50,000 to Suburban Hospital Foundation for emergency department modernization and nursing excellence, following a $50,000 grant in 2024 for the same hospital foundation. The stated purposes point to capital improvement, clinical quality, and workforce support. A separate healthcare-related grant went to Jewish Social Service Agency in Rockville, Maryland, with 2024 and 2025 awards of $10,000 and $5,000 described as support for the organization’s stated goal. The foundation also funds direct-service charities beyond medicine. Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC received $10,000 in 2024 and $2,500 in 2025. For arts access, The International Performing Arts Foundation in Rye, New Hampshire received repeated support for an in-residence program in Cuba for young dancers with limited means.
Typical grants cluster in a narrow band: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The portfolio is small and selective, with a few larger awards at $50,000 and many grants at $5,000 or $10,000. The same recipients do recur across years, including Suburban Hospital Foundation, The International Performing Arts Foundation, Humane Rescue Alliance, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and Jewish Social Service Agency, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation gives as a private family foundation and also funds individuals. Its grants are project-specific in some cases and general support in others, but the pattern favors direct program support.
$313K
$2M
$85K
$115K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 24% of grants go to recipients in MA.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated and targeted: very few, relatively large grants (two substantial gifts to the same hospital foundation and one smaller arts grant). Primarily local healthcare funding with occasional one‑off support for arts/education initiatives.
Notable grantees: Suburban Hospital Foundation (emergency department modernization & nursing excellence), Saburban Hospital Foundation (general support), The International Performing Arts Foundation (dance residency for disadvantaged youth)
Most grants stay within the United States, and the recipient map shows a strong concentration in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland appear repeatedly, including Suburban Hospital Foundation and Jewish Social Service Agency. Washington, DC is another frequent recipient city, with gifts to Humane Rescue Alliance, Studio Theatre, Jra Craft, and The Smithsonian Institution. Outside the local region, the foundation also gives in Waltham, Massachusetts and New York, New York. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, while 24% of grants go to recipients in Maryland.
Its giving centers on hospital care and clinical excellence, especially support for Suburban Hospital Foundation in Bethesda. It also makes smaller grants to community charities, arts organizations, Jewish communal groups, and veterans-related nonprofits such as Wounded Warrior Project and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
Most grants are modest. The 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Larger awards do appear, including multiple $50,000 grants to Suburban Hospital Foundation.
Yes. Suburban Hospital Foundation received grants in 2024 and 2025, The International Performing Arts Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Humane Rescue Alliance, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and Jewish Social Service Agency each appear in multiple years as well.
The grant record is entirely U.S.-based. Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland appear repeatedly, Washington, DC is another common recipient location, and there are also grants to Waltham, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Rye, New Hampshire; Arlington, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Potomac, Maryland.
The clearest arts grant is to The International Performing Arts Foundation for an in-residence program in Cuba for young dancers with limited means. That pattern indicates support for access to residential arts education rather than general arts operating support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MODERNIZATION AND NURSING EXCELLENCE |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MODERNIZATION AND NURSING EXCELLENCE |
| THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION | RYE, NH | $10,000 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD. |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| PBS FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| STUDIO THEATRE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| JRA CRAFT | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| BRANDEIS COLLEGE | WALTHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE | WALTHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY | ROCKVILLE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION | RYE, NH | $5,000 | 2025 | TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| STUDIO THEATRE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| FRIENDS OF ALL CRITTERS AT SHELTERS INC | POTOMAC, MD | $2,500 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL. |
| SABURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION | RYE, NH | $15,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD. |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY | ROCKVILLE, MD | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| STUDIO THEATRE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL. |
| THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION | RYE, NH | $7,500 | 2023 | TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD. |
SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$50,000EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MODERNIZATION AND NURSING EXCELLENCE
SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$50,000EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MODERNIZATION AND NURSING EXCELLENCE
THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$10,000TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD.
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
PBS FOUNDATION
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
STUDIO THEATRE
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
JRA CRAFT
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
BRANDEIS COLLEGE
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$5,000TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD.
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
STUDIO THEATRE
$5,000ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
FRIENDS OF ALL CRITTERS AT SHELTERS INC
$2,500ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE
$2,500ASSIST ORGANIZATION WITH ITS STATED GOAL.
SABURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$50,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$15,000TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD.
JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
$10,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
STUDIO THEATRE
$10,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$10,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE
$10,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$10,000ASSIST CHARITY IN ITS STATED GOAL.
THE INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$7,500TO ESTABLISH AN IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN CUBA FOR YOUNG DANCERS WITH LIMITED MEANS FROM THE AROUND THE WORLD.