The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation
The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in San Francisco, California. Established in 1996, the foundation was created to promote Swedish culture and advance philanthropic initiatives across the United States and internationally. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization with a focus on education, the arts, and cultural exchange.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
+143.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+1.6% YoY
Grant Count
141
-0.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+2.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $95K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission centers on promoting Swedish culture and supporting higher education and the arts. According to founder Barbro Osher, the foundation has expanded its focus over the years to include:
- Postsecondary scholarships
- The arts
- Lifelong learning programs
- Integrative medicine centers
- Education
- Human services
Higher education and the arts remain at the core of the foundation's philanthropic activities.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker that accepts applications. Recent financial data shows:
Grant Range
**: $1,000–$120,000
Ready to take the next step with The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, New York, and Minnesota, with additional support extending across the United States and internationally, particularly to Sweden-related initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $1.29 million
- Total revenue: $1.54 million
- Total expenses: $3.08 million
- Total liabilities: $328,000
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $3.14 million
- Total giving: $2.78 million
The foundation has been tax-exempt since July 1996 (EIN: 94-3241225).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,148,845 | $1,292,461 | $2,637,238 |
| Revenue | $4,791,004 | $1,535,659 | $2,089,268 |
| Expenses | $2,780,127 | $3,079,017 | $2,217,013 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,991,881 | $2,964,701 | $2,509,887 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,410 | $24,999 | $325,605 |
| Distributable Amount | $95,310 | $98,904 | $100,447 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Stiftelsen Kulturcentrum Ljusnarsberg ($100,000), Stiftelsen Drottningholms Slottsteater ($100,000), Linkopings Domkyrkopastorat ($95,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALMAMIA LILLA SCENEN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY THOUSAND OAKS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| DOCUMENTA UND MUSEUM FRIDERICIANUM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ROGER TORY PETERSON INSTITUTE OF NATURAL HISTORY JAMESTOWN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| VOCALESSENCE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BISHOP HILL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION BISHOP HILL, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| STIFTELSEN H FRIEDLANDERS ALDEROMSHEM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ERSTA DIAKONI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| LINKOPINGS DOMKYRKOPASTORAT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $95,000 |
| LITTFEST | GENERAL SUPPORT | $13,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Barbro Osher — President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board
Barbro Osher is a native of Stockholm and graduate of Stockholm University with a degree in languages and political science. She began her career in publishing and advertising in Sweden before relocating to the United States in the early 1980s. She founded the foundation in 1996 to promote Swedish culture.
Osher has held significant leadership roles including:
- Honorary Consul General of Sweden in California
- Owner and publisher of Vestkusten, a Swedish-American newspaper
- Founder of the Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) chapter in San Francisco
- Board member of the University of California (Berkeley) Foundation
- Board member of the American-Scandinavian Foundation
- Board member of the Nobel Museum in Stockholm
She has received numerous honors including the Eliason Award from the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (1999), His Majesty the King's Medal (2002), SWEA International's Woman of the Year (2004), and honorary doctorates from Göteborg University (2006) and the Karolinska Institute (2010).
Kris Marney — Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBRO OSHER | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 5 | — |
| BERNARD OSHER | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| VESNA LJUNGGREN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $96,600 |
| KRIS MARNEY | CFO | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported various cultural and educational initiatives, including:
Funding for the Old Mill Museum
Old Mill Museum Awarded Funding - KSAL NewsSupport for the Royal Swedish Academy of Music's concert hall (Kungliga Musikhögskolans körsal)
Recognition of Barbro Osher with honorary degrees and awards from Swedish cultural institutions
Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation st\xF6djer Kungliga Musikh\xF6gskolans\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission centers on promoting Swedish culture and supporting higher education and the arts. According to founder Barbro Osher, the foundation has expanded its focus over the years to include: • Postsecondary scholarships • The arts • Lifelong learning programs • Integrative medicine centers • Education • Human services Higher education and the arts remain at the core of the foundation's philanthropic activities.
How do I apply for a grant from The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation?
The foundation is an active grantmaker that accepts applications. Recent financial data shows: • **Annual giving**: Approximately $2.7–$2.8 million (2023–2024) • **Grant range**: $1,000–$120,000 • **Median grant size**: $12,000 • **Number of grants**: Approximately 139 grants annually • **Application status**: Open to applications The foundation's giving rate exceeds 100% of assets, indicating it distributes more than its annual investment returns.
Where does The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, New York, and Minnesota, with additional support extending across the United States and internationally, particularly to Sweden-related initiatives.
What size grants does The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation award?
In 2024, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $95K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation's EIN?
The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3241225. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation to a real strategy.