Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc
The Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Washington, DC, established in 1962. The foundation supports changemakers, initiatives, and bold ideas that foster a community in which everyone thrives, with a particular commitment to equity and justice.
Key facts about Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc
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.
- EIN
- 52-6047356
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,869,207
- Grants made (2024)
- 122
- Average grant
- $72,698
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $111,425,091
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$111.4M
-2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.9M
+8.1% YoY
Grant Count
122
+0.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
+7.2% YoY
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.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision centers on pursuing an equitable future rooted in justice. The foundation supports organizations that bring diverse voices together to address complex root causes of social strife and foster meaningful change through empathy and engagement.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported organizations including:
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data are available but not specified in the sources
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 122 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
452 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $111,425,091
- Total Giving: $8,869,207
- Revenue: $8,161,476
- Expenses: $10,739,908
- Net Assets: $111,299,931
- Total Liabilities: $125,000
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since September 1962
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $111,425,091 | $113,973,980 | $105,356,289 |
| Revenue | $8,161,476 | $18,590,901 | $71,249,301 |
| Expenses | $10,739,908 | $9,833,903 | $6,389,188 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,236,103 | $8,537,195 | $5,301,249 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,041,327 | $6,213,277 | $190,718 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,060,843 | $5,211,463 | $3,855,962 |
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 foundation was established by Diane Diamond Bernstein (1933-2021) and Norman Bernstein, who were married for 67 years.
Diane Bernstein's Background:
- Founded the Patient Representative Office at Children's National Medical Center
- Co-founded the New Horizons cultural enrichment program and Quality Assurance Program at Children's National Medical Center
- Served on the Children's National Medical Center board of directors and as vice chair of the Children's Research Institute
- Served as board chair of the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children
- Co-founded DC Action for Children in 1992 and served as Executive Director
- Appointed by Mayor Anthony Williams in 1999 as board vice chair of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation
The foundation's approach reflects the founders' values of humility, passion for life, generosity, and a strong sense of justice, with an emphasis on respectful and honest communication and the power of imagination to create meaningful change.
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
Contact Information
Address: 5301 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20015-2015
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 vision centers on pursuing an equitable future rooted in justice. The foundation supports organizations that bring diverse voices together to address complex root causes of social strife and foster meaningful change through empathy and engagement. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $207 to $1,100,000 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data are available but not specified in the sources **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** The foundation has supported organizations including: • Peace for DC (community-driven public safety and violence intervention) • Washington Housing Conservancy (affordable housing preservation) • New Israel Fund (human and civil rights in Israel) • Diverse City Fund (community-driven philanthropy su…
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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