Irvin Stern Foundation
The Irvin Stern Foundation is a private foundation based in Boca Raton, Florida. Established in 1957 by Chicago businessman Irvin Stern, it is guided by family members serving as trustees and supports organizations serving underserved and disadvantaged communities, including human services, civic affairs, and Jewish life.
Irvin Stern Foundation at a glance
In short: Irvin Stern Foundation gave $626K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state New York. 58% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $626,000
- -2.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,194
- -2.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $10,437,965
- -0.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (18 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (22% 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 Irvin Stern Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests, but considers a limited number; most of its giving is guided by its own research and organizations it identifies proactively. Interested organizations whose projects align with its guidelines may submit an online grant inquiry or letter of inquiry. All applications must use the online form. The foundation may request additional information and contacts only organizations it wishes to consider further. Applications are reviewed at biannual board meetings. It does not fund endowments, capital campaigns, capital construction, or academic or medical research programs.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists April 1 for spring and September 1 for fall applications. Its FAQ identifies September 1 as an application deadline.
- Deadline
- The website lists April 1 for spring and September 1 for fall applications.
- Contact
Application contact: Grants Administrator
Mailing address: 5550 Glades Road Suite 500, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (917) 846-5619
Website: https://irvinsternfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Irvin Stern Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Figueroa Wu Family Foundation ($40K). Together the top 10 received $300K.
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 179 grants of 189 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it generally makes grants to organizations geographically close to board members, enabling site visits. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (22%), California (21%), Illinois (18%), Michigan (13%), and Florida (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Irvin Stern Foundation open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 31 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 36% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% 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 $626K (2025) to $977K (2022). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $626K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Figueroa Wu Family Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $40,000 |
| Brooklyn Boatworks Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $30,000 |
| Housing Plus Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $30,000 |
| American Friends of Latet Humanitarian Aid Inc White Plains, NY | General Support | $30,000 |
| Bay Area Hybrid College Initiative Richmond, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Boca Raton, FL | General Support | $30,000 |
| Inglobal Ann Arbor, MI | General Support | $30,000 |
| Bonadfide Inc Oakland, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | General Support | $25,000 |
| University of Michigan -Jewish Life & Antisemitism Ann Arbor, MI | General Support | $25,000 |
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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 | $10,437,965 | $767,854 | $824,889 | $626,000 | 31 | $715,174 | $672,987 | $637,353 |
| 2024 | $10,438,223 | $1,162,778 | $814,057 | $643,419 | 31 | $701,585 | $1,069,784 | $586,458 |
| 2023 | $10,089,502 | $638,059 | $1,132,513 | $905,000 | 37 | $1,008,280 | $544,940 | $564,787 |
| 2022 | $10,583,956 | $1,900,899 | $1,178,828 | $977,000 | 45 | $1,072,158 | $1,800,624 | $615,025 |
| 2021 | $9,861,885 | $976,880 | $1,088,314 | $912,500 | 45 | — | $880,544 | $626,503 |
| 2020 | $9,973,319 | $-1,404,802 | $1,052,332 | $830,500 | 47 | — | $138,292 | $587,039 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Irvin Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $637K 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
Irvin Stern charged the foundation’s administrators with helping charities and organizations that benefit social service organizations and enhance the welfare of Jewish communities. The foundation describes its current priorities as:
- Human services: Innovative social services, physical and mental health outreach, and education for underserved, poor, and disadvantaged people.
- Civic affairs: Grassroots and neighborhood organizations working to improve quality of life in urban communities.
- Jewish life: Efforts that enhance Jewish community, education, and spirituality.
Examples among 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Figueroa Wu Family Foundation says it works on community wellness, hunger, racial and economic inequities, and learning and cultural engagement. Brooklyn Boatworks says it empowers young people through wooden boatbuilding and on-the-water experiences. Inside Out Network says its work helps people navigate incarceration and reentry. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $626,000. Awards ranged from $3,500 to $40,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest grant listed was $40,000 to Figueroa Wu Family Foundation in Chicago for general support. Other notable grants included $30,000 each to Brooklyn Boatworks, Housing Plus, American Friends of Latet Humanitarian Aid, Bay Area Hybrid College Initiative, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, InGlobal, and BonadFide; and $25,000 each to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan – Jewish Life & Antisemitism, Inside Out Network, and Access Reproductive Justice. Each of these grants was listed for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following trustees: Stuart Epstein, Kirstin Boncher, Heidi Boncher, Nicholas Epstein, Arthur Winter, Samantha Epstein, Emma Winter, Ian Epstein, Molly Winter, and Claire Winter.
Irvin Stern Foundation's 2025 filing lists 10 officers; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Emma Winter
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$700 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Heidi Boncher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$700 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Ian Epstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$925 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Molly Winter
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$700 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Nicholas Epstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Samantha Epstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Stuart Epstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$700 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Arthur Winter
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Claire Winter
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kirstin Boncher
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Megan Winter (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kristen Boncher (2020–2022) — 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 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $1K, to Stuart Epstein (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Irvin Stern Foundation
How much does Irvin Stern Foundation give each year?
Irvin Stern Foundation gave $626K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $643K across 31 grants.
What is Irvin Stern Foundation's typical grant size?
Irvin Stern Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $20,194, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Irvin Stern Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Irvin Stern Foundation give grants?
Irvin Stern Foundation's top state is New York, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (21%) and Illinois (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), Oakland, CA (4 grants), Ann Arbor, MI (3 grants) and Boca Raton, FL (3 grants).
Does Irvin Stern Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Irvin Stern Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Irvin Stern Foundation's largest grantees?
Irvin Stern Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Figueroa Wu Family Foundation ($40,000), Brooklyn Boatworks ($30,000) and Housing Plus ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Irvin Stern Foundation?
Irvin Stern Foundation reported $10.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $715K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $637K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Irvin Stern Foundation fund?
Irvin Stern charged the foundation’s administrators with helping charities and organizations that benefit social service organizations and enhance the welfare of Jewish communities. The foundation describes its current priorities as: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Irvin Stern Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests, but considers a limited number; most of its giving is guided by its own research and organizations it identifies proactively. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Irvin Stern Foundation's EIN?
Irvin Stern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6047947. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Irvin Stern Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 2020 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Irvin Stern Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/irvin-stern-foundation-morg_de0ad23a267c4fc3852d74fdab6e5171
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366047947_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Irvin Stern Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/irvin-stern-foundation-morg_de0ad23a267c4fc3852d74fdab6e5171},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Irvin Stern 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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