Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw
The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is a charitable California trust established in 1974 through the Will of S. Sidney Stern and funded entirely from his estate. Listed in IRS filing data as a private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri, it supports nonprofit organizations whose work has a substantial effect on their target populations and contributes to the general welfare.
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw at a glance
In short: Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw gave $1.1M across 236 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,103,500
- +2.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 236
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,676
- +9.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $18,967,705
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (48% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw
- How to Apply
-
The Trust accepts requests throughout the year and states that there is no required format for requests on its filing. Its website lists a cover letter and, when relevant, additional documentation for umbrella or fiscal sponsorship arrangements.
- Contact
Application contact: Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Board O
Mailing address: PO Box 893, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Phone: (800) 352-3705
Website: https://sidneysternmemorialtrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw
Who Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The UCLA Foundation ($63K). Together the top 10 received $220K.
Grant Size Distribution
789 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 783 grants of 789 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant funds must be used within the United States. In 2025, recipients in California received 48% of grant dollars, Hawaii 13%, New York 8%, Colorado 6%, and Massachusetts 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 236 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw gives
- 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 40% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 126% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $1.1M (2024) to $1.9M (2021). In 2025 it made 236 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The UCLA Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General Operating | $63,000 |
| University of Hawaii Foundation Honolulu, HI | General Operating | $60,750 |
| Adventure Rabbi Trips Beverly Hills, CO | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Dunn School Los Olivos, CA | General Operating | $15,000 |
| Swarthmore College Swathmore, PA | General Operating | $14,750 |
| Hillel the Fdn for Jewish Campus Life Honolulu, HI | General Operating | $11,500 |
| Wesleyan University Middletown, CT | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Performance Zone Inc New York, NY | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Credit Do Inc South Orange, NJ | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Working Wardrobes for a New Start Santa Ana, CA | General Operating | $10,000 |
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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 | $18,967,705 | $1,909,329 | $1,544,155 | $1,103,500 | 236 | $1,376,541 | $1,767,320 | $1,094,959 |
| 2024 | $18,592,000 | $1,429,463 | $1,502,198 | $1,077,500 | 252 | $1,366,988 | $1,287,571 | $1,039,811 |
| 2023 | $18,648,727 | $965,982 | $1,853,202 | $1,453,600 | 299 | $1,637,652 | $764,983 | $989,915 |
| 2022 | $19,536,798 | $3,669,078 | $2,309,737 | $1,832,600 | 1 | $2,014,463 | $3,424,156 | $1,147,591 |
| 2021 | $18,176,884 | $7,856,022 | $2,400,053 | $1,932,499 | 1 | — | $7,639,030 | $1,126,075 |
| 2020 | $12,725,572 | $1,603,204 | $2,010,171 | $1,571,495 | 1 | — | $1,338,495 | $1,106,419 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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
The Trust prioritizes education, youth summer camps, socio-economic equity and equality, food security, legal justice, medical research and care, arts and arts education, and scientific research. It supports organizations that serve their target populations and contribute to the general welfare.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. For example, the University of Hawaii Foundation says it raises philanthropic support and manages investments to benefit the university, the people of Hawai‘i, and future generations. Dunn School describes its mission as educating students to their fullest potential through a college-preparatory boarding and day school. Jewish Community Services of Hawaii says it provides social services and programs to foster health, safety, and connection across the islands.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust reported 236 grants totaling $1,103,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $63,000, with a median of $3,500. The largest listed awards included $63,000 to The UCLA Foundation and $60,750 to the University of Hawaii Foundation, both for general operating support. Other listed awards included $15,000 each to Adventure Rabbi Trips and Dunn School, and $14,750 to Swarthmore College.
The Trust’s guidelines require applicants to be exempt from federal income taxation as a 501(c)(3) organization and, where applicable, under California law. Applicants must also be sanctioned and listed on GuideStar Charity Check/Candid. Requests must be for use within the United States; the Trust does not fund individuals, political candidates or campaigns, lobbying projects, or programs intended to directly influence legislation. Applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year, with no submission deadlines. The Board’s decision is provided within 18 months of receipt of a completed proposal.
The listed proposal materials include a 1–2 page cover letter on official organization letterhead, with the proposal date, organization name and any “dba” or “aka” information, population served, amount requested, and contact details. Applicants using an umbrella or fiscal sponsor must also provide specified organizational and sponsorship information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Wells Fargo Bank N.A. is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing. The Trust’s Board of Advisors reviews funding proposals and votes on applications.
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's only listed officer is Wells Fargo Bank N A, Trustee on every filing since 2022 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wells Fargo Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$152K (2022) → $130K (2025)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Carol Sevilla (2020–2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: Daniel Luevano (2020–2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: David Hoffenberg (2020–2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: Peter H. Hoffenberg (2020–2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: Rebecca Schwartz (2020–2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: Saundra Schwartz (2023) — Member Board of Advisors
- Former: Judy Novak (2020–2022) — Member Board of Advisors
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 $130K, to Wells Fargo Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw
How much does Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw give each year?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw gave $1.1M across 236 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 252 grants.
What is Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's typical grant size?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's median grant in 2025 was $3,500, and its average grant was $4,676, across 236 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw give grants?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's top state is California, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Hawaii (13%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (41 grants), Honolulu, HI (18 grants), New York, NY (16 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).
Does Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (236 of 236) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's largest grantees?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's largest 2025 grantees include The UCLA Foundation ($63,000), University of Hawaii Foundation ($60,750) and Adventure Rabbi Trips ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw reported $19.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw fund?
The Trust prioritizes education, youth summer camps, socio-economic equity and equality, food security, legal justice, medical research and care, arts and arts education, and scientific research. It supports organizations that serve their target populations and contribute to the general welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw?
The Trust accepts requests throughout the year and states that there is no required format for requests on its filing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's EIN?
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6495222. 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/stern-sidney-memorial-tuw-morg_5a839b72cfa44ce196ed69084907ff19
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956495222_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/stern-sidney-memorial-tuw-morg_5a839b72cfa44ce196ed69084907ff19},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw'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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