Barnardfain Foundation
Barnardfain Foundation was a private foundation based in Aspen, Colorado. It has not filed a return since 2019, when it reported $0 in assets, indicating that the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking; its last reported giving was $184,000 across 22 grants in 2019.
Barnardfain Foundation at a glance
In short: Barnardfain Foundation gave $184K across 22 grants in 2019 (avg $8K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2019)
- $184,000
- Grants made (2019)
- 22
- Average grant
- $8,364
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Primary geography
- Illinois (54% of itemized 2019 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2019 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2019; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Barnardfain Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The foundation has not filed since 2019 and reported $0 in assets that year; this application information should not be treated as current.
- Contact
Mailing address: 413 W Smuggler St, Aspen, CO 81611
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Barnardfain Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2019
The largest 2019 recipient was Aspen Science Center ($40K). Together the top 10 received $171K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2019, 54% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 37% to Colorado, 7% to Washington, DC, and 2% to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2019 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2019 it made 22 grants totaling $184K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Science Center Aspen, CO | Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Chicago Shakespere Theater Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| Timeline Theatre Company Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Court Theatre Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Gift | $17,000 |
| Kajx Aspen, CO | Unrestricted Gift | $15,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Gift | $15,000 |
| Aspen Music Festival Aspen, CO | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Dean's Discretionary Fund Phy. Sci. | $10,000 |
| Aspen Institute Washington, DC | Unrestricted Gift | $5,000 |
| National Public Radio Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,153 | $193,892 | $184,000 | 22 | $20,517 | $8,182 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Barnardfain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2019 — 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 for the foundation is provided. Its 2019 grants went to organizations including arts and cultural institutions, a science center, a university, public radio, and a civil liberties organization. These describe the grantees, not a stated mission or focus of the foundation. For example, Aspen Science Center says its mission is to advance public understanding of science through lifelong discovery, exploration, and education. Anderson Ranch Arts Center describes its mission as enriching lives with art, inspiration, and community.
Grantmaking
In 2019, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $184,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $40,000, with a median grant of $3,000. Among the largest were Aspen Science Center ($40,000), Chicago Shakespere Theater ($25,000), Timeline Theatre Company ($25,000), Court Theatre ($17,000), KAJX ($15,000), and Lyric Opera of Chicago ($15,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2019 filing listed Judith Barnard, Michael Fain, and Cynthia Barnard as directors.
Barnardfain Foundation's 2019 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2019 report compensation.
Officers on the 2019 filing
Cynthia Barnard
Director
New on the 2019 filing
No compensation reported
Judith Barnard
Director
New on the 2019 filing
No compensation reported
Michael Fain
Director
New on the 2019 filing
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019. "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 Barnardfain Foundation
How much does Barnardfain Foundation give each year?
Barnardfain Foundation gave $184K across 22 grants in 2019, according to its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Barnardfain Foundation's typical grant size?
Barnardfain Foundation's median grant in 2019 was $3,000, and its average grant was $8,364, across 22 grants on its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Barnardfain Foundation give grants?
Barnardfain Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (37%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (9 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Aspen, CO (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Barnardfain Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of Barnardfain Foundation's 2019 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Barnardfain Foundation's largest grantees?
Barnardfain Foundation's largest 2019 grantees include Aspen Science Center ($40,000), Chicago Shakespere Theater ($25,000) and Timeline Theatre Company ($25,000), according to its 2019 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2019 grant dollars.
What does Barnardfain Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2019 grants went to organizations including arts and cultural institutions, a science center, a university, public radio, and a civil liberties organization. These describe the grantees, not a stated mission or focus of the foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Barnardfain Foundation?
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Barnardfain Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2019, Barnardfain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Barnardfain Foundation's EIN?
Barnardfain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4199957. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019.
Does Barnardfain 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 31, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2019
Live grants for the work Barnardfain Foundation funds
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Barnardfain Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?