Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation
The Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation is a private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Its 2025 filing reports grants to arts and music organizations, including performing arts groups, orchestras, and music education organizations.
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation at a glance
In short: Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation gave $430K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in New York. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $430,000
- +22.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +20.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,286
- +1.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $8,989,955
- +1.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (14 of 35, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (64% 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 Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing directs applicants to contact Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services and submit an application with materials through the application process listed on the filing. The filing says award restrictions are described on the application website.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists April 10 or August 15. Both dates have passed in 2026.
- Deadline
- The filing lists April 10 or August 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services
Mailing address: 6325 S Rainbow Blvd Ste 300, Las Vegas, NV 89118
Phone: (888) 730-4933
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation
Who Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was American Theatre Wing ($25K). Together the top 10 received $178K.
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 166 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 34% to recipients in New Jersey, and 2% to recipients in Pennsylvania. The listed grantees include organizations in New York City and elsewhere in New York, as well as recipients in New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 14 of 35 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 37% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 87% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $350K (2024) to $465K (2021). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $430K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Theatre Wing New York, NY | General Operating | $25,000 |
| New York Youth Symphony Inc New York, NY | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga SPGS, NY | General Operating | $20,000 |
| The Discovery Orchestra Inc Summit, NJ | General Operating | $20,000 |
| New Jersey Ballet Florham Park, NJ | General Operating | $20,000 |
| The Ascap Foundation New York, NY | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Yarnwire Inc Ridgewood, NY | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Council on Arts and Humanities Staten Is Staten Island, NY | General Operating | $12,500 |
| Binghamton Philharmonic Inc Binghamton, NY | General Operating | $12,500 |
| State Theatre Regional Art Ctr New Bruns New Brunswick, NJ | General Operating | $12,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Frank and Lydia Bergen 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 | $8,989,955 | $698,743 | $564,291 | $430,000 | 35 | $466,229 | $606,818 | $533,809 |
| 2024 | $8,863,376 | $441,352 | $474,781 | $350,000 | 29 | $388,321 | $350,957 | $506,524 |
| 2023 | $8,888,433 | $218,328 | $525,081 | $410,000 | 33 | $445,881 | $201,660 | $480,597 |
| 2022 | $9,195,611 | $343,487 | $543,747 | $415,000 | 34 | $452,336 | $261,712 | $549,287 |
| 2021 | $9,337,669 | $1,102,361 | $592,681 | $465,000 | 35 | $505,509 | $1,015,106 | $538,527 |
| 2020 | $8,826,661 | $646,695 | $531,924 | $400,000 | 30 | — | $570,295 | $465,695 |
| 2019 | $8,713,481 | $828,965 | $523,603 | $400,000 | 30 | — | $751,461 | $447,535 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $534K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided in the available information. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in the arts and music. For example, the American Theatre Wing describes its work as supporting creative growth and bringing inclusive stories to national culture through theatre. New York Youth Symphony says it inspires and educates young musicians through performance and ensemble activities, while The Discovery Orchestra says it teaches listening skills that help people connect with classical music.
Other 2025 grantees describe work in live music, music education, and performance. The Binghamton Philharmonic says its mission is building community through live music, and YarnWire says it educates the public in music and other art forms through lessons, lectures, seminars, and performances.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 35 grants totaling $430,000. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $25,000 to the American Theatre Wing; $20,000 each to New York Youth Symphony, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, The Discovery Orchestra, New Jersey Ballet, and The ASCAP Foundation; and $15,000 to YarnWire. The listed purposes for these grants were general operating.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's only listed officer is Wells Fargo Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2019 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wells Fargo Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$98K (2019) → $118K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $118K, to Wells Fargo Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation
How much does Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation give each year?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation gave $430K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $350K across 29 grants.
What is Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's typical grant size?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,286, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation give grants?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation gives mostly in New York: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (34%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (15 grants), Summit, NJ (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's largest grantees?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include American Theatre Wing ($25,000), New York Youth Symphony Inc ($20,000) and Saratoga Performing Arts Center ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation reported $9.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $466K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $534K (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 Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided in the available information. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in the arts and music. For example, the American Theatre Wing describes its work as supporting creative growth and bringing inclusive stories to national culture through theatre. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation?
The 2025 filing directs applicants to contact Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services and submit an application with materials through the application process listed on the filing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's EIN?
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6359304. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 7, 2024)
Other open foundation grants in Missouri
Missouri Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Missouri
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds capital projects in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most awards are $5,000–$20,000, with a 2024 median of $10,000, for eligible nonprofits in New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey. It accepts applications through an online portal during its stated application periods; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Investors Foundation Inc
Summit, NJ
Investors Foundation Inc funds community organizations working in arts, education, health and human services, youth, and affordable housing, primarily in New Jersey, New York City’s five boroughs, and Long Island. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $2,500. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application, with deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Assets
$13.4M
Grants
135
Total Given
$986K
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Geraldine R Dodge Foundation Inc
Newark, NJ
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation primarily supports work advancing economic equity and closing New Jersey’s racial wealth gap, including housing choice, homeownership, and economic security; its grants also span arts, education, the environment, and local journalism. Most funding goes to New Jersey organizations, with a typical grant of about $25,000 (2024 median). It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$349.2M
Grants
193
Total Given
$10.6M
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons distributes donor-advised fund grants to eligible U.S. charities and institutions across a wide range of causes; international organizations may also be supported after additional due diligence. In 2024, its grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants are requested by fund holders, and no general application process for organizations seeking funding is described.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/frank-and-lydia-bergen-foundation-morg_77296dadf87a49f788ec14a64d0485b3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_226359304_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/frank-and-lydia-bergen-foundation-morg_77296dadf87a49f788ec14a64d0485b3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Frank and Lydia Bergen 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.
Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?