HN and Frances C Berger Foundation
The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is a private family foundation based in Palm Desert, California, established in 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. Berger. It supports nonprofit organizations and programs that “help people help themselves,” often through financial and real estate support for education, health, and social services.
Key facts about HN and Frances C Berger Foundation
In short: HN and Frances C Berger Foundation gave $16.5M across 117 grants in 2024 (avg $141K), mostly in Michigan. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 52-1757452
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,514,846
- Grants made (2024)
- 117
- Average grant
- $141,153
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (31 of 102, 2024)
- Total assets
- $470,536,223
- Primary geography
- Michigan (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$470.5M
-3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.5M
+108.6% YoY
Grant Count
117
-3.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$141K
+115.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, HN and Frances C Berger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is HN and Frances C Berger Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 31 of 102 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $356K; repeat grants $77K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 124% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to “help people help themselves.” It looks for registered 501(c)(3) organizations that reflect the founders’ values, with particular interest in education, health, and social services. Its support often includes scholarships, college buildings, hospitals, medical research, and other social service programs.
Examples of 2024 recipients illustrate the range of organizations supported. Orlando Health Foundation says its mission is to support Orlando Health’s strategic priorities through philanthropy. Palm Springs Air Museum says it educates the public about the history of aircraft and artifacts from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 117 grants totaling $16,514,846. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $10,700,000, with a median of $15,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in Palm Desert and says about 80 percent of its giving is concentrated in the Coachella Valley. Its 2024 grants also went to recipients across the United States. By recipient state, grant dollars were distributed as follows: Michigan 65%, California 19%, Florida 7%, North Carolina 3%, and Kentucky 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 117 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.8M (2020) to $16.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 117 grants totaling $16.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Volunteers of America Michigan ($10.7M). Together the top 10 received $14.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($14,478), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
659 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 503 grants of 659 (76%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteers of America Michigan Southfield, MI | 4.784 acre 5 story office building (APN 24-14-201-053) | $10,700,000 |
| Orlando Health Foundation Orlando, FL | Comprehensive Care Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children | $800,000 |
| Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs, CA | the Auen Learning Center | $500,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | for critical medical care and necessary supplies-including food, water, hygiene kite, health clinics and an emergency field hospital caused by Hurricane Helene | $500,000 |
| Cumberland College Williamsburg, KY | Scholarship Programs | $300,000 |
| Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs, CA | the Auen Learning Center | $250,000 |
| The First Academy Inc Orlando, FL | to complete renovations to the track, scoreboard, lighting, and fencing | $250,000 |
| Pacific Legal Foundation Sacramento, CA | to support the expanding property rights litigation program in California | $250,000 |
| The Philanthropy Roundtable Washington, DC | support to continue Roundtable's programs | $195,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN | support for continued research | $150,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $470,536,223 | $27,459,652 | $45,549,754 | $16,514,846 | 117 |
| 2023 | $489,101,990 | $27,759,670 | $39,026,888 | $7,917,582 | 121 |
| 2022 | $500,297,259 | $63,534,141 | $36,704,429 | $7,048,687 | 108 |
Filing type: 990T.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $470,536,223 | $489,101,990 | $500,297,259 |
| Revenue | $27,459,652 | $27,759,670 | $63,534,141 |
| Expenses | $45,549,754 | $39,026,888 | $36,704,429 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $24,314,955 | $16,013,399 | $16,587,218 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,038,792 | $9,458,765 | $22,291,674 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,659,451 | $19,477,217 | $25,229,442 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s officers are Christopher M. McGuire, Chairman of the Board; Michael B. Rover, President and CEO; Catharine N. Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs; and Joseph K. Glassett, Vice President of Finance.
Its board members are Christopher M. McGuire, Michael B. Rover, Catharine N. Reed, Joseph K. Glassett, Darrell Burrage, Francis A. Wong, Michael Stutz, and Kelly Diehl.
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation is led by Christopher McGuire, President & Board Chairman on every filing since 2020; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher McGuire
President & Board Chairman
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$697K (2020) → $853K (2024)
Catharine Reed
Vice President Programs & Director
Vp-Programs & Director → Vice President Programs & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$273K (2020) → $356K (2024)
Darrell Burrage
Director
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $91K (2024)
Douglass Vance
Vice President Real Estate & Director
Vp-Real Estate & Director → Vice President Real Estate & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$608K (2020) → $761K (2024)
Francis Wong
Director
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $43K (2024)
Joan Kalimanis
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $96K (2024)
Michael Rover
Director & General Counsel
Director → Director & General Counsel, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$34K (2020) → $606K (2024)
Michael Stutz
Director
On filings since 2020
36 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $43K (2024)
Joseph Glassett
Vice President CFO
Vice President-Cfo → Vice President CFO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$208K (2020) → $261K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $853K, to Christopher McGuire (President/Board Chairman). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 13390, Palm Desert, CA 92255-3390
Phone: (760) 341-5293
Website: https://hnberger.org
Frequently asked questions about HN and Frances C Berger Foundation
How much does HN and Frances C Berger Foundation give each year?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation gave $16.5M across 117 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.9M across 121 grants.
What is HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's typical grant size?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $141,153, across 117 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from HN and Frances C Berger Foundation that year got $356K on average.
Where does HN and Frances C Berger Foundation give grants?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (19%) and Florida (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Palm Desert, CA (27 grants), Palm Springs, CA (11 grants), Los Angeles, CA (6 grants) and Indio, CA (6 grants).
Does HN and Frances C Berger Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 117) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (9 grants).
Who are HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's largest grantees?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Volunteers of America Michigan ($10,700,000), Orlando Health Foundation ($800,000) and Palm Springs Air Museum ($775,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($14,478), which are not listed by name. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is HN and Frances C Berger Foundation?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation reported $470.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $24.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does HN and Frances C Berger Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to “help people help themselves.” It looks for registered 501(c)(3) organizations that reflect the founders’ values, with particular interest in education, health, and social services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from HN and Frances C Berger Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's EIN?
HN and Frances C Berger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1757452. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does HN and Frances C Berger 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.
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