The Gershman Foundation is a regional St. Louis-focused funder that concentrates its support on Jewish community life and local social services, with sizable, repeat grants to a small set of organizations. A majority of dollars flow to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, while the next-largest investments support homelessness/transitional housing services and a local university, indicating a mix of communal infrastructure and direct-service priorities. Grants are largely unrestricted/general support, suggesting trust in organizational leadership and an emphasis on sustaining core operations.
Concentrated, local giving with a small number of relatively large, repeat grants; funding is primarily general operating support rather than project-specific awards.
A defining feature of Gershman Foundation (formerly Gershman Charitable Trust) is its sustained support for Jewish communal life in St. Louis, led by repeated general-funding grants to Jewish Federation of St Louis. The foundation’s recent giving also shows a steady commitment to local institutions that serve health, education, and basic needs, including Doorways and Washington University. Rather than spreading funds broadly, it concentrates on a small circle of organizations and often uses unrestricted support, which points to a strategy of helping core operations rather than underwriting narrow projects. Recent grants show that pattern clearly. Jewish Federation of St Louis received multiple awards, including $125,000 and $100,000, alongside another $112,500 grant in 2023. Doorways also appears more than once, with grants of $50,000 and $45,000 in recent years. These awards sit alongside support for Central Reform Congregation, John Burroughs School, Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, and Siteman Cancer Center, indicating a portfolio rooted in St. Louis civic and Jewish community infrastructure.
Jewish communal infrastructure is the clearest thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. Jewish Federation of St Louis received $125,000 for general funding for the organization’s activities, and the same purpose language appears on additional awards in 2023 and 2024. Central Reform Congregation also received general support, including $35,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025. Health and human services are another consistent area. Doorways received $50,000 in 2024 and $45,000 in 2023, both for general funding, while Interfaith Residence Dba Doorways received $50,000 in 2025. Cancer-related organizations appear as well, including $25,000 to Siteman Cancer Center and $15,000 to Cancer Support Community Greater St Louis. Education and campus support also show up in the record. Washington University received $50,000 in 2023 and $26,000 in 2024, both as general funding, while John Burroughs School received $35,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2024.
Grant sizes cluster in the modest-to-midrange range: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent-grants list also shows occasional larger awards at $25,000 to $125,000, but most individual grants sit well below those amounts. The foundation gives through organization-level support, with repeated “general funding” language across the recent record. Recurring relationships are common, especially with a small set of St. Louis institutions that appear in multiple years. The organization is a foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$445K
$5.9M
$303K
$481K
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Doorways / Interfaith Residence (Doorways), Washington University
Giving is overwhelmingly local and centered in Missouri. The foundation’s top state by grant count is MO, and 85% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipients are concentrated in St. Louis and nearby places such as Des Peres, with additional grants outside Missouri going to Washington, DC; Glenview, IL; Madison, WI; and Middleton, CT. In the recent grants list, St. Louis recipients include Jewish Federation of St Louis, Doorways, Washington University, and Central Reform Congregation.
The foundation supports Jewish communal infrastructure, transitional housing and related services, and local higher education. Recent grants include repeated general support for Jewish Federation of St Louis, Doorways and Interfaith Residence Dba Doorways, and Washington University.
Yes. The recent grants list repeatedly uses the phrase “GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES,” including for Jewish Federation of St Louis, Doorways, Washington University, and John Burroughs School. That indicates a strong preference for flexible operating support.
The distribution is centered on smaller awards: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Recent grants also include several larger awards, such as $50,000, $100,000, and $125,000.
Its grantmaking is concentrated in Missouri, which is the top state by grant count. About 85% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recent record is heavily weighted toward St. Louis organizations.
Yes. Jewish Federation of St Louis appears multiple times across 2023, 2024, and 2025; Doorways also appears in more than one year; and Washington University, Central Reform Congregation, and The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital each receive repeated support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOORWAYS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MISSOURI | ST LOUIS, MO | $26,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| SITEMAN CANCER CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CENTRAL REFORM CONGREGATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| NINE PBS | ST LOUIS, MO | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ST JUDES CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ST LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY GREATER ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CRESTON SCHOOL | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| HARVEY KORNBLUM JEWISH FOOD PANTRY | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER ST LOUIS CHAPTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MISSOURI & KANSAS | BALLWIN, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JEFFREY GERSHMAN GRADUATE STUDENT FUND (UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN) | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| FOCUS ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| HABITAT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CORNERSTONE CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JAZZ ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| FRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES | BENTON HARBOR, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| THE MUNY | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ROAST & TOAST FOUNDATION | BOONTON, NJ | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| WILLIAM GREENLEAF ELIOT SOCIETY (WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS) | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| FRIENDS OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY LIVER CENTER | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| INTERFAITH RESIDENCE DBA DOORWAYS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| SITEMAN CANCER CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CENTRAL REFORM CONGREGATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
| CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY GREATER ST LOUIS | DES PERES, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES |
DOORWAYS
$50,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MISSOURI
$26,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
SITEMAN CANCER CENTER
$25,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
CENTRAL REFORM CONGREGATION
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
PLANNED PARENTHOOD ST LOUIS
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ST LOUIS
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN ST LOUIS
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
ST JUDES CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
CRESTON SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
HARVEY KORNBLUM JEWISH FOOD PANTRY
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER ST LOUIS CHAPTER
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
JEFFREY GERSHMAN GRADUATE STUDENT FUND (UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN)
$10,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
FOCUS ST LOUIS
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
HABITAT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI
$5,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
CORNERSTONE CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING
$4,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
FRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
$2,500GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
$2,500GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
ROAST & TOAST FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
WILLIAM GREENLEAF ELIOT SOCIETY (WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS)
$1,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ST LOUIS
$1,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE ST LOUIS
$1,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
FRIENDS OF THE SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY LIVER CENTER
$1,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
INTERFAITH RESIDENCE DBA DOORWAYS
$50,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
CENTRAL REFORM CONGREGATION
$25,000GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES
GENERAL FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES