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.
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.
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
States
Cities
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 |
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
228 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($1,000,000), Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden ($375,000), Bread for the City Inc ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Friends of the Umm El-Fahem Museum of Con New York, NY | Charitable | $40,000 |
| American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee New York, NY | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Bend the Arc New York, NY | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Building Bridges Across the River TheARC Washington, DC | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Centro Nia Washington, DC | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Capital Area Food Bank Washington, DC | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Children's Law Center Washington, DC | Charitable | $75,000 |
| DC Fiscal Policy Institute Washington, DC | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Dreaming Out Loud Inc Washington, DC | Charitable | $250,000 |
| Jewish Funders Network New York, NY | Charitable | $60,000 |
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Amy Bernstein | Director | — | — |
| Elizabeth B Norton | Vice President | — | — |
| Joshua Benjamin Bernstein | Chairman | — | — |
| Kelly Lynch | Executive Director & Treasurer | — | — |
| Celia Ellen Bernstein | Director | — | — |
| Marianne Bernstein | Director | — | — |
| Nancy Bernstein | Director | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 5301 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20015-2015
Frequently Asked Questions
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…
Where does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in: • District of Columbia • Maryland • New York
What size grants does Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc awarded 122 grants totaling $8.9M — an average of about $73K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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