Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation
BARI MILKEN BERNSTEIN & FRED J is a private foundation based in Santa Monica, California. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including community programs, education, human services, and the arts.
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation at a glance
In short: Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation gave $813K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in California. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $812,500
- +3.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,763
- -18.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $13,685,745
- +0.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (10 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (77% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1250 Fourth Street 520, Santa Monica, CA 90401-1304
Phone: (310) 570-4800
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Community Foundation ($300K). Together the top 10 received $685K.
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 87 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 77% of grant dollars, followed by New York (8%), Washington (7%), Nevada (5%), and Michigan (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 19 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $567K (2020) to $813K (2024). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $813K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Community Centers & Programs | $300,000 |
| Milken Institute Santa Monica, CA | Higher Ed & Research Inst. & Progs | $100,000 |
| Brothers for Life Seattle, WA | Community Centers & Programs | $58,000 |
| Los Angeles Ballet Los Angeles, CA | Cultural, Libraries & Museums | $50,000 |
| Cteen Upper West Side Inc Unit 11741 New York, NY | Human Service Programs | $36,000 |
| The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Community Centers & Programs | $36,000 |
| BPS Foundation Las Vegas, NV | Higher Ed & Research Inst. & Progs | $35,000 |
| Brentwood School Los Angeles, CA | Preschool - 12TH Grade Programs | $25,000 |
| Connect Israel Los Angeles, CA | Community Centers & Programs | $25,000 |
| Berkeley Hillel Berkeley, CA | Higher Ed & Research Inst. & Progs | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,685,745 | $869,184 | $843,677 | $812,500 | 19 | $824,715 | $844,913 | $797,131 |
| 2023 | $13,660,238 | $735,053 | $818,215 | $787,000 | 15 | $797,255 | $707,537 | $807,768 |
| 2022 | $13,743,400 | $452,358 | $886,150 | $780,000 | 17 | $792,390 | $419,663 | $759,889 |
| 2021 | $14,177,192 | $2,813,395 | $808,935 | $744,000 | 21 | $759,125 | $2,782,402 | $764,377 |
| 2020 | $12,172,732 | $2,087,260 | $592,585 | $566,500 | 15 | — | $2,060,776 | $643,888 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $797K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for organizations and programs in community services, education, cultural programs, and human services. For example, Brothers for Life says it supports Jewish and Israeli veterans through education, mentoring, social services, and financial aid. Los Angeles Ballet says it presents classical and modern ballet and offers dance education. Berkeley Hillel describes its work as enriching Jewish students’ lives through inclusive community, Jewish identity, and social responsibility.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $812,500 through 19 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median grant of $20,000. Its largest grants included $300,000 to Jewish Community Foundation, $100,000 to Milken Institute, $58,000 to Brothers for Life, and $50,000 to Los Angeles Ballet. Other grants included $36,000 each to CTeen Upper West Side Inc Unit 11741 and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, and $35,000 to BPS Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael Milken as president and director; Lori Milken as secretary, vice president, and director; Ralph Finerman as treasurer and director; and Bari Milken Bernstein and Fred J Bernstein as vice presidents and directors.
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation is led by Michael Milken, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Milken
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bari Milken Bernstein
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred J. Bernstein
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Milken
Secretary, Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Finerman
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation
How much does Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation give each year?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation gave $813K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $787K across 15 grants.
What is Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's typical grant size?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $42,763, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation that year got $25K on average.
Where does Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation give grants?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation gives mostly in California: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (8%) and Washington (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Las Vegas, NV (2 grants).
Does Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Community Centers & Programs" (10 grants) and "Higher Ed & Research Inst. & Progs" (3 grants).
Who are Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's largest grantees?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Community Foundation ($300,000), Milken Institute ($100,000) and Brothers for Life ($58,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation reported $13.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $825K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $797K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for organizations and programs in community services, education, cultural programs, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's EIN?
Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3190334. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bari-milken-bernstein-and-fred-j-bernstein-foundation-morg_66b0cc12c2c34a81beedc700bc9903fe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_453190334_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bari Milken Bernstein \& Fred J Bernstein Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bari-milken-bernstein-and-fred-j-bernstein-foundation-morg_66b0cc12c2c34a81beedc700bc9903fe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bari Milken Bernstein & Fred J Bernstein Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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