Donald Bernstein Family Foundation
The Donald Bernstein Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. It distributes funds to charitable institutions exempt under Section 501(c)(3), with stated philanthropic goals that include supporting organizations focused on the Jewish faith and the Jewish community of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Donald Bernstein Family Foundation gave $77K across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in New York. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $77,483
- -23.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- +8.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,462
- -28.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $75
- Total assets
- $1,359,517
- +3.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (13 of 53, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Donald Bernstein Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 13 Lakeside Drive, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Phone: (570) 342-6100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Donald Bernstein Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Jewish Campaign ($55K). Together the top 10 received $74K.
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 224 grants of 229 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipient-state shares of grant dollars were reported as New York, 72%; Pennsylvania, 23%; California, 4%; and South Dakota and Virginia, 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Donald Bernstein Family Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 53 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $256; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $50 first-time, $100 repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 69% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $66K (2022) to $101K (2024). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $77K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Jewish Campaign New York, NY | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $55,000 |
| Jewish Discovery Center Clarks Summit, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $10,000 |
| Valley Forge Military Academy Wayne, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $2,500 |
| Pebble Beach Concours Foundation Carmel, CA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $2,500 |
| Elan Skilled Nursing (Formerly Jewish Home) Scranton, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $1,800 |
| Jewish Family Services Scranton, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $500 |
| Womens Resource Center Scranton, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $500 |
| Jewish Community Center Scranton, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $350 |
| St Joseph's Indian School Chamberlain, SD | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $300 |
| Waverly Community House Waverly, PA | To Further Designated Work of Organizations | $300 |
Ready to take the next step with Donald Bernstein Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,359,517 | $127,586 | $82,240 | $77,483 | 53 | $77,483 | $127,586 | $112,885 |
| 2024 | $1,314,171 | $167,045 | $103,497 | $100,779 | 49 | $100,779 | $167,045 | $89,701 |
| 2023 | $1,250,623 | $89,212 | $100,371 | $97,606 | 46 | $97,606 | $89,212 | $88,257 |
| 2022 | $1,261,782 | $531,709 | $67,414 | $65,588 | 36 | $65,588 | $84,160 | $76,913 |
| 2021 | $797,487 | $430,371 | $88,062 | $87,944 | 45 | — | $63,971 | $52,508 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Donald Bernstein Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $113K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it aims to distribute funds to institutions that share the philanthropic goals and ideals of the Donald Bernstein family. Its stated priorities include, without limitation, organizations focused on the Jewish faith and the Jewish community of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Its 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. The Jewish Discovery Center describes its mission as operating a synagogue and religious outreach center, and providing kosher catering for the local Jewish population. Waverly Community House says it fosters educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities for individuals and families in its region. Other 2025 recipients include organizations whose stated missions address women’s support, family services, education, and animal welfare.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 53 grants totaling $77,483. Grant amounts ranged from $12 to $55,000, with a median of $75. The largest grant was $55,000 to United Jewish Campaign in New York, followed by $10,000 to Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit. Other notable grants included $2,500 each to Valley Forge Military Academy and Pebble Beach Concours Foundation, and $1,800 to Elan Skilled Nursing (formerly Jewish Home).
The 2025 filing describes the grants’ purpose as furthering the designated work of the recipient organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Donald Bernstein as president and board member. Michael Bernstein, Marc Bernstein, Jeffrey Bernstein, and Dorie Shiovitz are listed as board members.
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation is led by Donald Bernstein, President & Board Member on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Donald Bernstein
President & Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorie Shiovitz
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Bernstein
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Bernstein
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bernstein
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Donald Bernstein Family Foundation
How much does Donald Bernstein Family Foundation give each year?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation gave $77K across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $101K across 49 grants.
What is Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $75, and its average grant was $1,462, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Donald Bernstein Family Foundation that year got $256 on average.
Where does Donald Bernstein Family Foundation give grants?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Scranton, PA (13 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Donald Bernstein Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 53 grants with a stated purpose on Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further Designated Work of Organizations" (53 grants).
Who are Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include United Jewish Campaign ($55,000), Jewish Discovery Center ($10,000) and Valley Forge Military Academy ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Donald Bernstein Family Foundation?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $77K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $113K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Donald Bernstein Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says it aims to distribute funds to institutions that share the philanthropic goals and ideals of the Donald Bernstein family. Its stated priorities include, without limitation, organizations focused on the Jewish faith and the Jewish community of northeastern Pennsylvania. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Donald Bernstein Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's EIN?
Donald Bernstein Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0926185. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Donald Bernstein Family Foundation 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Donald Bernstein Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/donald-bernstein-family-foundation-morg_7c5ffae9f02440678ed8fd9a067ae91c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_810926185_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Donald Bernstein Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/donald-bernstein-family-foundation-morg_7c5ffae9f02440678ed8fd9a067ae91c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Donald Bernstein Family Foundation'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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