Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation
The Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1943 by Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel. Bernard Gimbel was one of the founders of Gimbels, a major American department store corporation that operated from 1887 through the late 20th century. Based in New York City, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking organization with a staff of three employees.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking historically supported education, workforce and economic development, criminal justice, civil legal services, reproductive rights, and environmental causes, with a focus on advocacy in these areas.
In 2019, the foundation began a ten-year spend-down process and shifted its grantmaking strategy. Current funding priorities are now concentrated on two programs:
- Defending and Strengthening Democracy
- Climate and Environmental Justice
Grantmaking
The foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited proposals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily limited to New York City, with some support for organizations operating in New York State and nationally focused advocacy work.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
- Total assets: $31,851,864 – $36,436,327
- Total giving: $6,007,084
- Total revenues (2023): $2,844,026
- Total expenses (2023): $6,412,475
Investment Income (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $831,306
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $2,012,303
| 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 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Neo Philanthropy Inc ($400,000), Common Cause Education Fund ($350,000), New Venture Fund ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350ORG BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| ALL VOTING IS LOCAL WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ALL VOTING IS LOCAL WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| ANDOVER VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY ANDOVER, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| APERTURE FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,500 |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION MINNEAPOLIS, MN | OFFSHORE WIND PROGRAM | $40,000 |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY RESEARCH | $60,000 |
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY RESEARCH | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Leslie Gimbel is identified as managing the foundation as of December 2024.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN D GREENBERG | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LYNN S STERN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LESLIE GIMBEL | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $191,292 |
| NICHOLAS SG STERN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS ST GIMBEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALVA G GREENBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER BLOOM GREENBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HOPE KITTREDGE GIMBEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK P GIMBEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation is in the midst of a ten-year spend-down process that began in 2019. This strategic shift has resulted in a narrowed focus on democracy and climate/environmental justice initiatives, with the foundation no longer accepting unsolicited grant proposals.
Grammy Museum Foundation Grant Awarded for Bernard Herrmann\u2019s CBS Broadcast\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking historically supported education, workforce and economic development, criminal justice, civil legal services, reproductive rights, and environmental causes, with a focus on advocacy in these areas. In 2019, the foundation began a ten-year spend-down process and shifted its grantmaking strategy. Current funding priorities are now concentrated on two programs: • **Defending and Strengthening Democracy** • **Climate and Environmental Justice**
How do I apply for a grant from Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation?
The foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited proposals. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$400,000 • Recent grants include both single-year and multi-year commitments (including 2-year grants) **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** The foundation made grants to organizations including: • 350.org ($150,000) • All Voting is Local ($100,000 and $400,000 two-year grant) • American Constitution Society ($100,000) • BlueGreen Alliance Foundation ($50,000 and $100,000) • Cam…
Where does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily limited to New York City, with some support for organizations operating in New York State and nationally focused advocacy work.
What size grants does Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation award?
In 2024, Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation awarded 79 grants totaling $6.0M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Bernard F & Alva B Gimbel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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