Helene & Bertram Bernhardt
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt is a private foundation based in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2025, it made 15 grants totaling $508,634, all to recipients in Rhode Island.
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt at a glance
In short: Helene & Bertram Bernhardt gave $509K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Rhode Island. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $508,634
- +23.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,909
- +23.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $10,657,418
- -3.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (4 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (100% 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 Helene & Bertram Bernhardt
- How to Apply
The foundation’s 2023 filing says applicants must complete a grant application and submit a proposal with a cover letter describing the applicant’s mission, geographic focus, proposed work and implementation plan,…
The foundation’s 2023 filing says applicants must complete a grant application and submit a proposal with a cover letter describing the applicant’s mission, geographic focus, proposed work and implementation plan, expected impact, community partners and coordination, plans for funding beyond the grant period, project staff and qualifications, and prior lifetime giving from Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Bernhardt. Applicants must also provide their operating and project budgets, most recent financial statements and audit report, IRS determination letter for 501(c)(3) status, and board list. The filing states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- December 1, as stated on the 2023 filing; no year is specified.
- Deadline
- December 1, as stated on the 2023 filing; no year is specified.
- Contact
Application contact: Bernhardt Foundation
Mailing address: C/O Samuel D Zurier Esq 123 Dyer St, Suite 135, Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 861-0200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Helene & Bertram Bernhardt funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Temple Beth El ($255K). Together the top 10 received $506K.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 75 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Rhode Island. The 2025 grants listed include organizations in Providence and Warwick.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Helene & Bertram Bernhardt open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 15 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $12K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $413K (2024) to $509K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $509K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Beth El Providence, RI | Program and Annual Support | $254,675 |
| Jewish Alliance of Greater RI Providence, RI | Annual Campaign, Leadership Development and Campaign Against Anti-Semitism | $85,000 |
| Jewish Collaborative Services Providence, RI | Tamarisk refrigerator repair, computers, community chaplain, emergency food/shelter grants | $84,459 |
| Camp Jori Providence, RI | Facility Improvements | $25,000 |
| Miriam Hospital Providence, RI | Capital Campaign | $20,000 |
| Brown Risd Hillel Providence, RI | Security Services | $15,000 |
| Jewish Community Day School Providnece, RI | Marketing | $12,000 |
| Jewish Committee on Scouting Providence, RI | Chaplain | $4,500 |
| Insight RI Warwick, RI | Summer Mobility Camp, Social Worker Program | $3,500 |
| RI Jewish Historical Association Providence, RI | Quarterly Newsletter Editor | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Helene & Bertram Bernhardt?
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 | $10,657,418 | $383,515 | $727,885 | $508,634 | 15 | $628,020 | $283,650 | $571,847 |
| 2024 | $11,021,241 | $120,101 | $617,617 | $412,548 | 15 | $519,635 | $202,976 | $532,720 |
| 2023 | $11,517,061 | $37,470 | $626,687 | $422,757 | 9 | $527,734 | $209,098 | $522,701 |
| 2021 | $12,531,361 | $3,703,571 | $627,473 | $442,348 | 17 | — | $400,821 | $608,518 |
| 2020 | $9,476,773 | $479,799 | $612,722 | $418,960 | 19 | — | $458,028 | $629,899 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helene & Bertram Bernhardt reported a distributable amount of $572K 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
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations and activities including Jewish community services and institutions, a hospital capital campaign, facility improvements, security services, and other charitable programs.
Among its grantees, Jewish Collaborative Services describes its mission as strengthening the well-being of seniors, adults, children, and families and ensuring access to care through the life cycle within the framework of Jewish tradition and values. Jewish Community Day School’s supporting foundation describes its mission as furthering the development and programs of the Jewish day school in Providence. Inspiring Minds says it supports students’ success in school and life through relationships, tutoring, and mentoring.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $508,634. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $254,675, with a median grant of $4,500.
The largest 2025 grants included $254,675 to Temple Beth El for program and annual support; $85,000 to Jewish Alliance of Greater RI for its annual campaign, leadership development, and campaign against anti-Semitism; and $84,459 to Jewish Collaborative Services for refrigerator repair, computers, a community chaplain, and emergency food and shelter grants. Other grants included $25,000 to Camp JORI for facility improvements, $20,000 to Miriam Hospital for a capital campaign, and $15,000 to Brown RISD Hillel for security services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Samuel D. Zurier, Esq., as trustee/legal counsel and Leslie Gutterman as trustee.
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Samuel D. Zurier Samuel D. Zurier Esq.
Trustee & Legal Counsel
Secretary → Trustee & Legal, 2021
Trustee & Legal → Trustee & Legal Counsel, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $43K (2025)
Leslie Gutterman Leslie Gutterman L.
Trustee
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$56K (2023) → $58K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Leslie Gutterman (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert G. Huckins (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $58K, to Leslie Gutterman Leslie Gutterman L (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Helene & Bertram Bernhardt
How much does Helene & Bertram Bernhardt give each year?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt gave $509K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $413K across 15 grants.
What is Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's typical grant size?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's median grant in 2025 was $4,500, and its average grant was $33,909, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Helene & Bertram Bernhardt that year got $5K on average.
Where does Helene & Bertram Bernhardt give grants?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt gives mostly in Rhode Island: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Providence, RI (12 grants).
Does Helene & Bertram Bernhardt give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Programs" (4 grants).
Who are Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's largest grantees?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's largest 2025 grantees include Temple Beth El ($254,675), Jewish Alliance of Greater RI ($85,000) and Jewish Collaborative Services ($84,459), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Helene & Bertram Bernhardt?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $628K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $572K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Helene & Bertram Bernhardt fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations and activities including Jewish community services and institutions, a hospital capital campaign, facility improvements, security services, and other charitable programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Helene & Bertram Bernhardt?
The foundation’s 2023 filing says applicants must complete a grant application and submit a proposal with a cover letter describing the applicant’s mission, geographic focus, proposed work and implementation plan,… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's EIN?
Helene & Bertram Bernhardt's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-2053837. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Helene & Bertram Bernhardt funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/helene-and-bertram-bernhardt-morg_a0c289ef594b4c0ab3e6174f348b3781
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_342053837_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Helene \& Bertram Bernhardt funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/helene-and-bertram-bernhardt-morg_a0c289ef594b4c0ab3e6174f348b3781},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Helene & Bertram Bernhardt'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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