Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker New York, NY EIN: 51-0264122

Arts and culturePerforming artsTheaterEducationPhilanthropy

Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $6.0M. Net investment income was $2.3M.

Key facts about Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation

EIN: 51-0264122
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $5,977,067
Grants made (2024): 5
Average grant: $1,195,413
Median grant: $1,488,642
Primary geography: New York (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation's 5 itemized 2024 grants were New York (50%), Florida (25%) and Vermont (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants). None of its 5 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Charitable Exempt Purpose" (5 grants).

How Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation gives

Giving grew 595% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

-100.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$6.0M

+491.8% YoY

Grant Count

-37.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1.2M

+846.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $317K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Arts and culturePerforming artsTheaterEducationPhilanthropy

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

New York $3.0M (50%)

Florida $1.5M (25%)

Vermont $1.5M (25%)

Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Florida Idaho New Hampshire New York Vermont

Cities

New YorkWoodstockBoiseBronxMiami BeachWillistonLos AngelesShelburneHanoverInglewoodKetchumSan Francisco

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	$3,339,291	$4,047,522
Revenue	$2,346,708	$394,866	$587,038
Expenses	$6,049,179	$1,139,440	$1,228,541
Qualifying Distributions	$5,987,765	$1,076,107	$1,135,329
Net Investment Income	$2,270,189	$301,179	$472,011
Distributable Amount	$316,678	$299,694	$377,571

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

February 28, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

42 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Pesky Family Foundation ($1,501,142), The Robert Stern Family Foundation ($1,488,642), The Morris & Bessie Altman Foundation ($1,488,642).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
PESKY FAMILY FOUNDATION Miami Beach, FL	TO FUND CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE	$1,501,142
THE ROBERT STERN FAMILY FOUNDATION New York, NY	TO FUND CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE	$1,488,642
THE MORRIS & BESSIE ALTMAN FOUNDATION Shelburne, VT	TO FUND CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE	$1,488,642
THE BIG WOOD FOUNDATION New York, NY	TO FUND CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE	$1,488,641
BIRD ON A CLIFF THEATRE COMPANY Woodstock, NY	TO FUND CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE	$10,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2023 IRS filing

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Wendy Pesky	V. Pres	—	—
Peter Stern	Director	—	—
Robert Stern	Director	—	—
Michael Stern	President	—	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Arts and culturePerforming artsTheaterEducationPhilanthropy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation?

Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in New York, NY. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.

Where does Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation operate?

Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation has awarded grants in California, Florida, Idaho, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont.

What size grants does Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation award?

In 2024, Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $6.0M — an average of about $1.2M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $317K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation's EIN?

Bernice and Milton Stern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0264122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.