Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. It supports organizations and initiatives focused on justice, dignity, equity, housing, community transformation, and Jewish values, with a stated focus on the Washington, DC area.
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc gave $8.9M across 122 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,869,207
- +8.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 122
- +0.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $72,698
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $111,425,091
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 5301 Wisconsin Avenue Nw Suite 500, Washington, DC 20015
Phone: (202) 363-6301
Website: https://www.dnbfdc.org/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
452 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 241 grants of 452 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it allocates the bulk of its grants to the Greater Washington community. In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in DC and 14% to recipients in Maryland. Other recipient-state shares were New York, 3%; Massachusetts, 3%; and California, 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 122 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc gives
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 106% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 152% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $8.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 122 grants totaling $8.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Greater Washington North Bethesda, MD | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Washington, DC | Charitable | $375,000 |
| Bread for the City Inc Washington, DC | Charitable | $350,000 |
| Peace for DC Washington, DC | Charitable | $333,333 |
| Dreaming Out Loud Inc Washington, DC | Charitable | $250,000 |
| New Israel Fund Washington, DC | Charitable | $250,000 |
| DC Jewish Community Center Washington, DC | Charitable | $250,000 |
| Greater Washington Community Foundation Washington, DC | Charitable | $250,000 |
| Arena Stage Washington, DC | Charitable | $200,000 |
| Miriam's Kitchen Washington, DC | Charitable | $166,667 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $111,425,091 | $8,161,476 | $10,739,908 | $8,869,207 | 122 | $9,236,103 | $6,041,327 | $6,060,843 |
| 2023 | $113,973,980 | $18,590,901 | $9,833,903 | $8,204,380 | 121 | $8,537,195 | $6,213,277 | $5,211,463 |
| 2022 | $105,356,289 | $71,249,301 | $6,389,188 | $5,033,233 | 100 | $5,301,249 | $190,718 | $3,855,962 |
| 2021 | $45,024,303 | $16,118,436 | $5,202,275 | $4,312,500 | 81 | $4,482,460 | $19,186,397 | $2,226,089 |
| 2020 | $30,570,417 | $6,776,587 | $2,554,261 | $1,820,000 | 28 | — | $2,508,975 | $2,425,669 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated vision is an economically and socially just society in which all people thrive. Its website identifies community transformation, advocacy and justice, housing, Tikkun Olam, and support for longstanding partners tied to the founders’ legacy as areas of focus. Its funding priorities include efforts addressing poverty and racial injustice in Washington, DC; public safety and support for returning citizens; Jewish organizing and advocacy; peace and democracy in Israel and Palestine; ending homelessness; and affordable housing.
Examples of grantees’ work include Bread for the City, which says it provides food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to DC residents with low incomes and pursues justice through community organizing and public advocacy. Peace for DC says it works to end gun violence through community violence intervention, trauma healing, and systems change. New Israel Fund says it works to advance liberal democracy and equality in Israel. Miriam’s Kitchen says it works to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC, including through advocacy for permanent supportive housing and social services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 122 grants totaling $8,869,207. Grants ranged from $207 to $1,000,000, with a median of $50,000. Among its largest grants were $1,000,000 to Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, $375,000 to Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, $350,000 to Bread for the City, $333,333 to Peace for DC, and $250,000 each to Dreaming Out Loud, New Israel Fund, DC Jewish Community Center, and Greater Washington Community Foundation.
The foundation says it identifies potential grantees with nonprofit, civic, and philanthropic partners and seeks to foster collaboration. How to apply: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It accepts proposals only by invitation or referral from a partner, such as a current grantee, philanthropic colleague, or community partner.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joshua Benjamin Bernstein as Chairman; Elizabeth B Norton as Vice President; Kelly Lynch as Executive Director and Treasurer; and Susan Amy Bernstein, Celia Ellen Bernstein, Marianne Bernstein, and Nancy Bernstein as directors.
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc is led by Kelly Lynch, Executive Director & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kelly Lynch
Executive Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
$184K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Joshua Benjamin Bernstein
Chairman
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Celia Ellen Bernstein
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Amy Bernstein
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Marianne Bernstein
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Nancy Bernstein
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Elizabeth B Norton
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Diane Bernstein (2020–2021) — President Emeritus
- Former: Lisa Bernstein (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Marianne Bernstein Kalb (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Nancy Bernstein Schoen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Norman Bernstein (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Kalb (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Norton (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Schoen (2020–2021) — 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 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $257K, to Kelly Lynch (Executive Director & Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc
How much does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc give each year?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc gave $8.9M across 122 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.2M across 121 grants.
What is Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $72,698, across 122 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc give grants?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc gives mostly in District of Columbia: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (100 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Rockville, MD (3 grants) and North Bethesda, MD (2 grants).
Does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 122 grants with a stated purpose on Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (122 grants).
Who are Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($1,000,000), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden ($375,000) and Bread for the City Inc ($350,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc reported $111.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated vision is an economically and socially just society in which all people thrive. Its website identifies community transformation, advocacy and justice, housing, Tikkun Olam, and support for longstanding partners tied to the founders’ legacy as areas of focus. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check dnbfdc.org for any change to that policy.
What is Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's EIN?
Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6047356. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/diane-and-norman-bernstein-foundation-inc-morg_f21ce0fb96eb4ca39cf82d4b505b5439
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526047356_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Diane \& Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/diane-and-norman-bernstein-foundation-inc-morg_f21ce0fb96eb4ca39cf82d4b505b5439},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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