Dr Bronners Family Foundation
Dr Bronners Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Vista, California. Established in 2003, it carries on Emanuel Bronner and his family’s legacy of activism and community service, and administers philanthropic giving directed by members of the broader Bronner family.
Dr Bronners Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Dr Bronners Family Foundation gave $170K across 6 grants in 2026 (avg $28K), top state New York. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $170,000
- -70.2% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 6
- -70.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $28,333
- -0.6% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $193,482
- -46.5% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- New York (44% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Dr Bronners Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website says grantmaking is by invitation only but welcomes letters of inquiry from organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors with 501(c)(3) status. It says it will contact only projects demonstrating the strongest alignment with current funding priorities. For college or university-held programs, grant funds may not be applied to administrative, overhead, or indirect costs unless the foundation approves otherwise.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1958, Vista, CA 92085
Phone: (760) 743-2211
Website: https://bronnerfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dr Bronners Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Cohere USA ($50K). Together the top 6 received $170K.
Grant Size Distribution
199 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 175 grants of 199 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says that a majority of Migration Justice Initiative funding is US-based and that it also supports transnational collaboration and diasporic organizing. In filing year 2026, grant dollars went to recipients in New York (44%), New Jersey (29%), California (21%), and Colorado (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Dr Bronners Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−6%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $170K (2026) to $2.2M (2021). In 2026 it made 6 grants totaling $170K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cohere USA Saddle River, NJ | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $50,000 |
| Myriad USA Inc New York, NY | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $50,000 |
| Chinese Progressive Association San Francisco, CA | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| The New York Immigration Coalition New York, NY | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $25,000 |
| UPAVIM Community Development Fund Fort Collins, CO | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| California Immigrant Policy Center Los Angeles, CA | Organizations Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts are reported for the filing years shown.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $193,482 | $2,000 | $170,085 | $170,000 | 6 | $170,000 |
| 2025 | $361,567 | $250,000 | $570,220 | $570,000 | 20 | $570,000 |
| 2024 | $681,787 | $1,383,000 | $945,155 | $945,000 | 71 | $945,000 |
| 2023 | $243,942 | $300,000 | $180,235 | $180,000 | 11 | $180,000 |
| 2022 | $124,177 | $1,022,037 | $2,110,950 | $2,110,750 | 91 | $2,110,750 |
| 2021 | $1,213,090 | $3,410,000 | $2,203,170 | $2,203,000 | 108 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its purpose is to carry on Emanuel Bronner and his family’s legacy of activism and community service. Through the Migration Justice Initiative, it seeks systemic change in support of migrants and refugees. Its stated priorities include migrant- and refugee-led participatory grantmaking, grassroots power building, coalition building and allyship, local organizing in receiving communities, connecting direct services with advocacy and policy change, and narrative change. It prioritizes small grassroots organizations, projects, and underfunded areas, and supports transnational collaboration and diasporic organizing.
Examples of 2026 grantees illustrate some of the work supported. Cohere describes its mission as helping refugees determine their own futures. The Chinese Progressive Association says it organizes and educates low-income and working-class immigrant Chinese communities to build collective power and pursue justice. The California Immigrant Policy Center says it works to transform systems to advance racial, social, and economic justice for immigrant communities. Myriad USA says it facilitates thoughtful, effective giving across borders.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported six grants totaling $170,000. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest grants were $50,000 each to Cohere USA and Myriad USA; other listed grants included $25,000 to the Chinese Progressive Association and $10,000 to the California Immigrant Policy Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation says its board is composed of Dr. Bronner’s executives and Executive Director Kris Lin-Bronner. The 2026 filing lists Gertrude Bronner as CFO and Secretary, David Bronner as CEO, and Michael Bronner as Vice President.
Dr Bronners Family Foundation is led by David Bronner, CEO on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
David Bronner
CEO
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Gertrude Bronner
CFO & Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Michael Bronner
Vice President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 Dr Bronners Family Foundation
How much does Dr Bronners Family Foundation give each year?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation gave $170K across 6 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $570K across 20 grants.
What is Dr Bronners Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $25,000, and its average grant was $28,333, across 6 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dr Bronners Family Foundation give grants?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation's top state is New York, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Jersey (29%) and California (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Who are Dr Bronners Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Cohere USA ($50,000), Myriad USA Inc ($50,000) and Chinese Progressive Association ($25,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Dr Bronners Family Foundation?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation reported $193K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $2K.
What does Dr Bronners Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says its purpose is to carry on Emanuel Bronner and his family’s legacy of activism and community service. Through the Migration Justice Initiative, it seeks systemic change in support of migrants and refugees. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dr Bronners Family Foundation?
The foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dr Bronners Family Foundation's EIN?
Dr Bronners Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1979565. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does Dr Bronners 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Dr Bronners Family Foundation funds
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