The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation is a private foundation based in La Grange, Illinois. Its 2024 grants supported health research and services, as well as scholarship awards to individual recipients.
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation at a glance
In short: The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation gave $313K across 42 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), top state Georgia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $313,334
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 42
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,460
- +6.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $7,003,628
- +2.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Georgia (41% 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 Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists Linda M. Neylon, co-trustee, as the contact and refers applicants to a general explanation attached to the filing for forms and materials. The filing states that there are no restrictions on awards, with details in that attachment.
- Review Cycle
- None is listed; the filing refers to the attached general explanation for details.
- Deadline
- None is listed; the filing refers to the attached general explanation for details.
- Contact
Application contact: Linda M Neylon
Mailing address: PO Box 711, La Grange, IL 60525
Phone: (312) 782-5885
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Cancer Society ($50K). Together the top 9 received $180K.
Organizations only. It also paid 33 individual scholarships ($133,334), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
287 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 275 grants of 287 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants were distributed across recipient states, with 41% of grant dollars going to Georgia, 23% to Illinois, and 17% to Texas. Alabama and New York each accounted for 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation gives
- Giving fell 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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 $313K (2024) to $700K (2022). In 2024 it made 42 grants totaling $313K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Cancer Society Kennesaw, GA | Cancer Research, Advocacy, and Patient Support | $50,000 |
| American Heart Association Dallas, TX | Cardiovascular Health Research | $50,000 |
| Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Chicago, IL | Services to Blind and Visually Impaired | $50,000 |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation New York, NY | Diabetes Research | $7,500 |
| Macular Degeneration Research Association Clarksburg, MD | Macular Degeneration Research | $7,500 |
| 33 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $133,334 |
| Lawrence Hall Youth Services Chicago, IL | Youth Focused Community Services | $5,000 |
| Multiple Sclerosis Association Cherry Hill, NJ | Multiple Sclerosis Research | $5,000 |
| Parkinsons Disease Foundation Miami, FL | Parkinsons Research | $2,500 |
| Reach for Excellence Atlanta, GA | College Prep Programs | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation?
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 | $7,003,628 | $715,195 | $532,423 | $313,334 | 42 | $347,565 | $530,337 | $330,827 |
| 2023 | $6,809,877 | $253,467 | $568,515 | $321,193 | 46 | $360,499 | $45,451 | $302,574 |
| 2022 | $7,134,324 | $1,316,484 | $933,003 | $699,509 | 60 | $734,723 | $1,117,515 | $303,560 |
| 2021 | $3,738,174 | $412,288 | $344,259 | $531,856 | 61 | $156,609 | $224,208 | $729,621 |
| 2020 | $3,670,145 | $-2,168 | $438,672 | $673,689 | 78 | — | — | $684,841 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation reported a distributable amount of $331K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for cancer research, cardiovascular health research, diabetes and macular degeneration research, services for blind and visually impaired people, and scholarships. Among its organizational grantees, the American Heart Association described its mission as “to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.” REACH FOR EXCELLENCE INC, which received a grant, described its mission as changing the lives of underserved middle school students through education and opportunity.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $313,334. Grants ranged from $1,667 to $50,000, with a median grant of $5,000. In 2023, it reported 46 grants totaling $321,193. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 42 grants totaling $313,334.
The largest listed 2024 grants were $50,000 each to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, advocacy, and patient support; the American Heart Association for cardiovascular health research; and Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind for services to blind and visually impaired people. Other listed grants included $7,500 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for diabetes research, $7,500 to the Macular Degeneration Research Association for macular degeneration research, and scholarship awards to individual recipients. REACH FOR EXCELLENCE INC received $2,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ruben R. Vernof and Linda M. Neylon as trustees.
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Linda M. Neylon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$28K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Ruben R. Vernof
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$89K (2020) → $25K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $60K, to Linda M Neylon (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation
How much does The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation give each year?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation gave $313K across 42 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $321K across 46 grants.
What is The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's typical grant size?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,460, across 42 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation give grants?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's top state is Georgia, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (23%) and Texas (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 42 grants with a stated purpose on The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Award" (33 grants).
Who are The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's largest grantees?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Cancer Society ($50,000), American Heart Association ($50,000) and Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 33 individual scholarships ($133,334), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $348K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $331K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation fund?
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for cancer research, cardiovascular health research, diabetes and macular degeneration research, services for blind and visually impaired people, and scholarships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's EIN?
The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3923844. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 August 31, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-berner-charitable-and-scholarship-foundation-morg_59f2c2ce251145d987e2718a28c2c46c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363923844_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-berner-charitable-and-scholarship-foundation-morg_59f2c2ce251145d987e2718a28c2c46c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 The Berner Charitable and Scholarship 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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