Florence and John Schumann Foundation

The Florence and John Schumann Foundation was established in 1961 by Florence Ford and John Schumann. The foundation states its purpose is to renew the democratic process through cooperative acts of citizinship, especially as they apply to governance and the environment.

The foundation reported 2001 assets of $60,963,043 and expenditures of $5,096,495. Recipients of recurring Schumann Foundation grants during the 1990s, ranging from under $100,000 to more than $5 million annually, include Tides Foundation and Tides Center, Environmental Working Group, Union of Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources Defense Council, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, and the Center for Media & Democracy.

John Schumann was a member of the Florida Citrus Commission, he founded several banks and credit unions, and eventually became president of General Motors Acceptance Corporation. Florence Ford brought to the Foundation wealth she inherited from her father, who was one of the founders of IBM. Officers and Trustees include, Robert F. Schumann, Chairman, Bill D. Moyers, President, and W. Ford Schumann, Vice President.

Reported investment holdings include shares in British Petroleum, Columbia Gas Systems, Conoco, Inc., Keyspan Energy, Noble Affiliates (oil and gas exploration and development), Pioneer Natural Resource Company (oil & gas exploration and development), Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, Shell Transportation and Trading Company and Ford Motor Company.