The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Named for businessman and portrait photographer Bern Schwartz, it seeks to advance public knowledge and appreciation of photography as an art form.
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation gave $455K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $455,000
- -96.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -77.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,875
- -85.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $4,777,657
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://bernschwartz.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was International Center of Photography ($225K across 2 grants). Together the top 7 received $455K.
Grant Size Distribution
118 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 118 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 3% to California, and less than 1% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation gives
- Giving fell 92% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 245% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $455K (2024) to $13.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $455K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Center of Photography New York, NY | Capital Campaign for ICP at Essex Crossing | $200,000 |
| Magnum Cultural Foundation New York, NY | supporting the Philippe Halsman documentary film project | $100,000 |
| Victoria and Albert Museum Americas Foundation New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $67,000 |
| International Center of Photography New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Jerusalem Foundation Inc New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Americans for Oxford Inc New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $22,000 |
| San Diego Museum of Art San Diego, CA | general operating support of the Museum of Photographic arts at the san diego museum of art | $15,000 |
| The Philadelphia Photo Review Langhorne, PA | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,777,657 | $520,342 | $591,697 | $455,000 | 8 | $578,651 | $150,029 | $236,554 |
| 2023 | $4,849,012 | $-438,612 | $14,017,731 | $13,833,679 | 36 | $13,984,161 | $511,114 | $716,264 |
| 2022 | $19,305,355 | $-535,544 | $1,611,599 | $1,383,428 | 23 | $1,553,603 | $337,589 | $891,567 |
| 2021 | $21,452,498 | $12,650,139 | $6,280,928 | $5,806,569 | 28 | $6,014,685 | $12,157,325 | $955,333 |
| 2020 | $14,529,784 | $3,103,818 | $1,519,442 | $1,142,050 | 23 | — | $2,487,865 | $1,033,593 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $237K for 2024 — 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 Foundation’s stated mission is to advance public knowledge and appreciation of photography as an art form and to promote high standards consistent with the work of Bern Schwartz and other noted photographers.
Its 2024 grants included support for photography institutions and projects, including the International Center of Photography, Magnum Cultural Foundation, the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art, and The Philadelphia Photo Review. The International Center of Photography describes its work as advancing understanding and appreciation of photography through exhibitions, collections, and education. Magnum Cultural Foundation says it mentors the next generation of photographers and supports historical and contemporary photography. The Philadelphia Photo Review says it educates the public about photography and provides a forum for aspiring photographers.
Other 2024 recipients included the Victoria and Albert Museum Americas Foundation, Jerusalem Foundation, and Americans for Oxford. The Jerusalem Foundation describes its work as improving the quality of life of Jerusalem residents and creating an open, equitable, and modern society. Americans for Oxford says it supports educational programs, institutions, and posts at Oxford and elsewhere.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation gave $455,000 through eight grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $200,000, with a median of $25,000. Among the largest were $200,000 to the International Center of Photography for its capital campaign at Essex Crossing; $100,000 to Magnum Cultural Foundation for a Philippe Halsman documentary film project; and $67,000 to the Victoria and Albert Museum Americas Foundation for general and unrestricted support. The Foundation also gave $25,000 to the International Center of Photography for general and unrestricted support, $25,000 to Jerusalem Foundation for general and unrestricted support, and $22,000 to Americans for Oxford for general and unrestricted support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Eric A. Schwartz as director and president; Michael L. Schwartz as director, chairman, and grant evaluator; Fred W. Concklin as director, vice president, and treasurer; and Tilda R. Orr as director and secretary.
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation is led by Eric A Schwartz, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eric A Schwartz
Director & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael L Schwartz
Director, Chairman & Grant Evaluator
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred W Concklin
Director, Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tilda R Orr
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation
How much does The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation give each year?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation gave $455K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $13.8M across 36 grants.
What is The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $56,875, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation give grants?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation gives mostly in New York: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants).
Does The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include International Center of Photography ($225,000 across 2 grants), Magnum Cultural Foundation ($100,000) and Victoria and Albert Museum Americas Foundation ($67,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation reported $4.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $579K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $237K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to advance public knowledge and appreciation of photography as an art form and to promote high standards consistent with the work of Bern Schwartz and other noted photographers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation?
The Foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's EIN?
The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1141878. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Bern Schwartz Family 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.
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 July 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bern Schwartz Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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