Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation
The Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation is a private, family foundation established in 1943 and based in New York, New York. It supports organizations working on democracy-related issues and climate and environmental justice.
Key facts about Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation
In short: Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation gave $6.0M across 79 grants in 2024 (avg $76K), top state New York. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-6090843
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,007,084
- Grants made (2024)
- 79
- Average grant
- $76,039
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (11 of 68, 2024)
- Total assets
- $31,851,864
- Primary geography
- New York (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$31.9M
-3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.0M
+10.8% YoY
Grant Count
79
-8.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
+20.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 68 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $89K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 344% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s democracy-related priorities include election integrity and access to voting; the rule of law; government accountability and transparency; and civic engagement and mobilization. It also identifies restoring and expanding reproductive rights and access to abortion as a longstanding area of support. Its climate and environmental justice funding includes legal challenges, policy advocacy, organizing and movement building, campaigns addressing harmful corporate practices, and efforts to protect scientific integrity in government decision-making.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. Common Cause Education Fund says it works through research, outreach, education, and coalition building to increase public understanding of democracy and promote citizen engagement. Earthjustice describes itself as a public-interest environmental law organization working to protect health and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Rainforest Action Network says it works to protect communities, forests, climate, and biodiversity.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 79 grants totaling $6,007,084. Grants ranged from $1,250 to $400,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest were $400,000 to NEO Philanthropy for the State Infrastructure Fund; $350,000 to Common Cause Education Fund for general support; $300,000 to New Venture Fund for the Trusted Elections Fund; and $300,000 to Stand.earth for general support. Other notable grants included $250,000 to Rainforest Action Network and $225,000 to the New York Immigration Coalition, both for general support, and $200,000 to Princeton University for the Bridging Divides Initiative.
Ready to take the next step with Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in New York (36%) and Washington, D.C. (35%), followed by California (13%), Massachusetts (8%), and New Jersey (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 79 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2020) to $6.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 79 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New Venture Fund ($520K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
436 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 194 grants of 436 (44%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Neo Philanthropy Inc New York, NY | State Infrastructure Fund | $400,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $350,000 |
| New Venture Fund Washington, DC | Trusted Elections Fund | $300,000 |
| Standearth San Francisco, CA | General Support | $300,000 |
| Rainforest Action Network San Francisco, CA | General Support | $250,000 |
| The New York Immigration Coalition Inc New York, NY | General Support | $225,000 |
| Climate & Clean Energy Equity Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $200,000 |
| Proteus Fund New York, NY | Piper Fund | $200,000 |
| Trustees of Princeton University Princeton, NJ | Bridging Divides Initiative | $200,000 |
| 350ORG Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,851,864 | $6,089,548 | $7,105,434 | $6,007,084 |
| 2023 | $32,867,757 | $2,844,026 | $6,412,475 | $5,422,250 |
| 2022 | $36,436,327 | $3,376,498 | $6,505,925 | $5,492,250 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $31,851,864 | $32,867,757 | $36,436,327 |
| Revenue | $6,089,548 | $2,844,026 | $3,376,498 |
| Expenses | $7,105,434 | $6,412,475 | $6,505,925 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,617,429 | $6,022,815 | $6,041,191 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,697,660 | $2,460,562 | $2,948,040 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,924,319 | $1,912,318 | $2,046,119 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leslie Gimbel as president and CEO; Stephen D. Greenberg as treasurer; and Lynn S. Stern as vice president. Directors listed are Nicholas S. G. Stern, Thomas S. Gimbel, Alva G. Greenberg, Jennifer Bloom Greenberg, Hope Kittredge Gimbel, and Mark P. Gimbel.
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation is led by Leslie Gimbel, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leslie Gimbel
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $191K (2024)
Alva G. Greenberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hope Kittredge Gimbel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bloom Greenberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas S. G. Stern
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas S. T. Gimbel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark P. Gimbel
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn S. Stern
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen D. Greenberg
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert B. Gimbel (2020–2022) — Director · Filing note: Resigned 83022
- Former: Mark P. Gimbel Elected (2022) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $191K, to Leslie Gimbel (President & CEO).
Contact
Mailing address: 271 Madison Ave Suite 605, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 684-9110
Website: https://gimbelfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation
How much does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation give each year?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation gave $6.0M across 79 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.4M across 86 grants.
What is Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's typical grant size?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $76,039, across 79 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation that year got $89K on average.
Where does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation give grants?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's top state is New York, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (35%) and California (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (28 grants), Washington, DC (17 grants), Boston, MA (5 grants) and San Francisco, CA (4 grants).
Does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 53% of Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 79) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research" (6 grants) and "Trusted Elections Fund" (3 grants).
Who are Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's largest grantees?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include New Venture Fund ($520,000 across 4 grants), Neo Philanthropy Inc ($450,000 across 2 grants) and Common Cause Education Fund ($350,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation reported $31.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s democracy-related priorities include election integrity and access to voting; the rule of law; government accountability and transparency; and civic engagement and mobilization. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's EIN?
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6090843. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health-access initiatives for disproportionately affected populations, including cancer, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation, in the United States and internationally. In 2024, its median grant was $134,090, though awards varied widely; it says application materials are available upon request and advises organizations to contact it about the process, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Freedom Together Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds work to strengthen multiracial democracy and build community and worker power, racial and gender justice, movement infrastructure, reproductive health, medical research, and community institutions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000; its largest shares went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
595
Total Given
$470.0M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports climate and environmental work, human rights, civic engagement, Jewish causes, and some economic-opportunity initiatives, with grants reported across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $9.75 million, with a median of $200,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Los Altos, CA
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds charitable organizations working on just societies, healthy families and communities, and a healthy natural world, including climate solutions, ocean conservation, and science. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, and half of grant dollars went to California recipients. It accepts unsolicited requests, but less than 1% of its grants come from them.
Assets
$8.5B
Grants
1,029
Total Given
$350.0M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
More Funders in New York
Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?