The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc
Preselected recipients only
The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2025 it gave $14.2 million in 44 grants; the typical grant was $17,500 and the largest $10.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$14.2 million
- Number of grants44
- Typical grant$17,500
- Largest grant$10.0 million
- Assets$68.9 million
- New grantees31%
Giving in 2025 was up from $7.3 million the year before.
31% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.9 million | 60 | $74.7 million |
| 2024 | $7.3 million | 51 | $75.6 million |
| 2025 | $14.2 million | 44 | $68.9 million |
How to apply
The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 8 | $12.0 million |
| Connecticut | 25 | $2.0 million |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $72,500 |
| Indiana | 1 | $30,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $25,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $10,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $7,500 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $5,000 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $2,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller University | To endow, and support in perpetuity, the Herbert Singer award for collaborative innovation fund | $10.0 million |
| Rockefeller University | Herbert Singer Award fund for collaborative innovation | $1.5 million |
| Building One Community Corp | for the purchase of Building One Community's building | $1.0 million |
| Central Park Conservancy Inc | Improvement to Nell Singer Lilac Walk fund | $350,000 |
| Connecticut Bar Foundation Inc | Singer Public Service Fellowship fund | $155,816 |
| Catholic Charities of Fairfield County Inc | The Thomas Merton Center | $150,000 |
| Clicc Inc | General & Unrestricted | $107,500 |
| American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee Inc | Taub Center for Social Policy Studies-Israel | $100,000 |
| Building One Community Corp | B1C's Immigration Legal Services (ILS) fund | $100,000 |
| Domus Kids Inc | Domus' Juvenile Review Board (JRB) Program | $100,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Fairfield County Inc | Merton Family Center | $50,000 |
| Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Inc | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| New Covenant Center | to provide food for the kitchen and pantry | $50,000 |
| Person to Person Inc | to provide food for the food pantry and food trucks | $50,000 |
| The Open Door Shelter Inc | Emergency fund | $50,000 |
| Harbor Camps Inc | General & Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corp | General & Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| University of Notre Dame | Shaffer Public Service Fellowship-Law School fund | $30,000 |
| Americares Foundation Inc | General Unrestricted Support for AmeriCares Free Clinics | $25,000 |
| Mercy University | CNR Serviam Endowed Scholarship Fund | $25,000 |
| Onegoal | One Goal Massachusetts fund | $25,000 |
| Change Summer Inc | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Shattuck Child Care Center Inc | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Building One Community Corp | Legal Services fund | $10,000 |
| Catholic Academy of Bridgeport Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Center for New American Security Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Empower Spinal Cord Injury Incorporated | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Food Rescue US Inc | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Ecsu Foundation Inc | Presidential Strategic Initiatives Fund | $7,500 |
| Jackie Robinson Park of Fame Inc | General & Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Inc | General & Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| Young Mens Christian Association Camp Belknap | Leaders Scholarship Fund | $7,500 |
| Denver Botanic Garden Inc | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Future 5 Inc | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Hadassah the Womens Zionist Organization of Americ | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Jewish Family Service of Stamford Inc | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Stamford Museum and Nature Center Incorporated | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| The Herren Project | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| The Stamford Emergency Medical Services Inc | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Americares Foundation Inc | AmeriCares Free Clinic - Staff National Conference fund | $4,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Shelley Leibowitz
- David Sandak
- Jay H Sandak
- Mary E Sandak
- Stephen Sandak
Questions people ask
Does The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc give?
$14.2 million in tax year 2025, across 44 grants, with a typical grant of $17,500.
Who runs The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Shelley Leibowitz (Dir), David Sandak (Dir, Sec), Jay H Sandak (Dir, Pres) and Mary E Sandak (Dir, Treas) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and faith communities.