The Brian and Dafna Berman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Rockville, Maryland. The foundation operates as a family philanthropy vehicle focused on two primary areas: Jewish causes and Gaucher disease research and awareness.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$203K
-63.5% YoY
Grant Count
67
-23.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-52.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Brian and Dafna Berman Family reported a distributable amount of $835 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities center on:
- Jewish Causes: Jewish education, temples, cultural programs, and Jewish arts, with particular emphasis on the Jewish community in Maryland, Washington D.C., the New York City area, and Israel
- Gaucher Disease: Research and advocacy related to this rare genetic disorder, which affects approximately 1 in 60,000 Americans, primarily those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- Human Services: General human services funding
- Education: Educational initiatives
- Philanthropy & Grantmaking: Support for federated giving programs and philanthropic infrastructure
In Israel specifically, the foundation has supported orphanages and organizations that assist burn victims.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s**: Typical awards range from $5 to $130,300.
How to Apply
**: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of intent. Prospective grantees must pursue funding through networking and direct contact with the family.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding areas include:
- Maryland
- New York
- New Jersey
- Israel
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $0 (as of most recent 2023 filing)
Total Giving: $203,245 (most recent year on record)
Tax-Exempt Status: Granted in July 2019
EIN: 83-2547362
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $37,001 | $2,284 |
| Revenue | $171,244 | $596,776 | $526,211 |
| Expenses | $208,245 | $561,959 | $529,302 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $203,245 | $556,918 | $527,486 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $835 | $2,606 | $4,743 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Melvin J Berman Hebrew Academy ($61,550), Chabad Shul of Potomac ($11,063), American Friends of Shalva Israel ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 412 FRIENDS OF ZAHAL PITTSBURG, PA | CHARITABLE | $250 |
| ALEF BET MONTESSORI SCHOOL ROCKVILLE, MD | CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| AMERICA GIVES NEW YORK, NY | CHARITABLE | $5 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ASCENT TZFAT WEST ORANGE, NJ | CHARITABLE | $967 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LEKET ISRAEL TEANECK, NJ | CHARITABLE | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SHALVA ISRAEL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVA HAKOTEL BERGENFIELD, NJ | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YESHIVAT KEREM BEYAVNE BROOKLYN, NY | CHARITABLE | $2,000 |
| BAIS HAMEDRASH & MESIVTA OF BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD | CHARITABLE | $250 |
| BEIS MENACHEM CHABAD JEWISH STUDENT CENTER COLLEGE PARK, MD | CHARITABLE | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Brian Berman serves as president and CEO of the National Gaucher Foundation. He was diagnosed with Gaucher disease at age four and has become an advocate for disease awareness and treatment advancement.
Dafna Berman is co-founder of the family foundation.
Dennis Berman (Brian's father) is the founder of the family's philanthropic efforts. He is a graduate of Cornell University with degrees in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance. Dennis Berman joined his family's business, Berman Enterprises, in the 1970s and is the son of a prominent Maryland land developer.
Dr. Robin Ely (Brian's mother) co-founded the National Gaucher Foundation with Dennis Berman to increase awareness about Gaucher disease and advocate for new treatments.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAFNA BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DENNIS BERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation filed a final return in 2023, indicating the conclusion of its grantmaking activities. The family's philanthropic work has been characterized as "laser-focused" on its two primary funding streams of Jewish causes and Gaucher disease support, with no public website or formal grant guidelines directing potential applicants.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brian and Dafna Berman Family fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities center on: • **Jewish Causes**: Jewish education, temples, cultural programs, and Jewish arts, with particular emphasis on the Jewish community in Maryland, Washington D.C., the New York City area, and Israel • **Gaucher Disease**: Research and advocacy related to this rare genetic disorder, which affects approximately 1 in 60,000 Americans, primarily those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent • **Human Services**: General human services funding • **Education**: E…
How do I apply for a grant from Brian and Dafna Berman Family?
**Grant Sizes**: Typical awards range from $5 to $130,300. **Total Giving**: The foundation distributed $203,245 in grants according to its most recent filing. **Application Process**: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or letters of intent. Prospective grantees must pursue funding through networking and direct contact with the family. **Current Status**: The foundation filed a final return as of 2023, indicating it is no longer actively accepting grant applications.
Where does Brian and Dafna Berman Family make grants?
Primary funding areas include: • Maryland • New York • New Jersey • Israel
What size grants does Brian and Dafna Berman Family award?
In 2023, Brian and Dafna Berman Family awarded 67 grants totaling $203K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Brian and Dafna Berman Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Brian and Dafna Berman Family reported a distributable amount of $835 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Brian and Dafna Berman Family's EIN?
Brian and Dafna Berman Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2547362. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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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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