The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation
The Bernard Osher Foundation is a small philanthropic organization based in San Francisco, California that operates in the philanthropic sector with a focus on education-related initiatives and programs that increase access to higher learning. Since 2001, it has established Osher Lifelong Learning Institute programs at numerous institutions, expanding educational experiences beyond traditional degree paths. Through its networks, including Osher Centers and the Osher Collaborative Coordinating Center, the foundation coordinates education efforts across seven centers, partnering with universities and other educational entities to broaden learning opportunities for nontraditional students.
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation gave $625K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $89K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $625,116
- +35.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $89,302
- +35.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $6,181,662
- +0.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Community Federation ($200K). Together the top 7 received $625K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 21 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $455K (2023) to $625K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $625K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Federation San Francisco, CA | General Support | $200,000 |
| Jewish Film Institute San Francisco, CA | For the Mitzvah Series Program | $150,000 |
| Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling Service San Francisco, CA | General Support | $130,116 |
| Osher Marin Jewish Community Center San Rafael, CA | Osher Marin Jewish Community Center | $50,000 |
| The Birthright Israel Foundation New York, NY | General Support | $50,000 |
| Jewish Community Center of San Francisco San Francisco, CA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Berkeley Hillel Berkeley, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,181,662 | $547,884 | $658,601 | $625,116 | 7 | $2,884 |
| 2024 | $6,147,983 | $513,455 | $491,426 | $460,000 | 7 | $3,455 |
| 2023 | $6,138,712 | $4,317 | $486,425 | $455,000 | 7 | $4,317 |
| 2022 | $6,623,369 | $6,444,306 | $30,020 | — | — | $441,306 |
| 2021 | $194,640 | $61 | $117 | — | — | $61 |
| 2020 | $183,604 | $349 | $20 | — | — | $349 |
| 2019 | $208,941 | $2,531 | $601,470 | $600,000 | 1 | $2,531 |
About The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation is a public charity, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $6.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $625K. Net investment income was $3K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation is led by Bernard Osher, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bernard Osher
President & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joy Sisisky
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director, Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
Director, Secretary & Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Cook
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Randall
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanya Shadoan
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Mendel
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas Elsishans
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Brian Kataoka (2023–2024) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Barbro Osher (2019–2021) — Vice President & Director
- Former: David Agger (2019–2021) — Invest Chair & Director
- Former: Laura Lauder (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert Friend (2019–2021) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Ron Kaufman (2019–2021) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Susan Osher Epstein (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation
How much does The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation give each year?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation gave $625K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $460K across 7 grants.
What is The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $89,302, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation give grants?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (4 grants).
Does The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish Community Federation ($200,000), Jewish Film Institute ($150,000) and Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling Service ($130,116), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation reported $6.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $548K.
What is The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's EIN?
The Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3104872. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 10, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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