The Bersted Foundation
The Bersted Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1972, it makes grants to qualified charitable organizations and supports educational, human services, and health care programming for underserved populations.
The Bersted Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bersted Foundation gave $1.2M across 74 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Illinois. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,163,600
- +6.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 74
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,724
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $29,157,958
- +5.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (26 of 74, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Bersted Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists Susan Boin as the contact. It says to see the attached statement for application form and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. The filing also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Susan Boin
Mailing address: 110 N Wacker Il4-110-7-3, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 828-3603
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Bersted Foundation
Who The Bersted Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dupage Pads ($30K). Together the top 10 received $265K.
Grant Size Distribution
342 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 342 grants of 342 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The grant program identifies DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, and McHenry counties in Illinois as the communities the foundation serves. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 1% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 74 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Bersted Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 26 of 74 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 53% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $946K (2019) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 74 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dupage Pads Wheaton, IL | Unrestricted General | $30,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Dupage County Wheaton, IL | Unrestricted General | $30,000 |
| Suicide Prevention Services Batavia, IL | Unrestricted General | $30,000 |
| Outreach Community Ministries Carol Stream, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Wayside Cross Ministries Aurora, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Family Service Agency of Dekalb County Dekalb, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Marklund Children's Home Geneva, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| People's Resource Center Wheaton, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank Geneva, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Senior Home Sharing Lombard, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bersted 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,157,958 | $3,127,820 | $1,542,725 | $1,163,600 | 74 | $1,321,061 | $2,952,054 | $1,427,599 |
| 2024 | $27,568,271 | $3,726,899 | $1,448,641 | $1,097,534 | 70 | $1,244,113 | $3,529,432 | $1,314,418 |
| 2023 | $25,319,336 | $436,550 | $1,397,527 | $1,118,472 | 65 | $1,251,654 | $476,059 | $1,231,759 |
| 2022 | $26,292,678 | $-850,354 | $1,499,633 | $1,200,500 | 68 | $1,338,494 | $365,425 | $1,256,549 |
| 2021 | $28,638,599 | $7,177,228 | $1,486,932 | $1,053,500 | 65 | $1,205,274 | $6,954,337 | $1,350,038 |
| 2020 | $22,939,918 | $1,509,884 | $1,260,252 | $985,000 | 51 | — | $1,377,678 | $1,180,854 |
| 2019 | $22,653,915 | $1,875,101 | $1,251,998 | $945,800 | 64 | — | $1,734,716 | $1,135,051 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bersted Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M 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 foundation’s stated purpose is to support and promote quality educational, human services, and health care programming for underserved populations. Its filing says it conducts no direct charitable activities and makes contributions and grants to qualified charitable organizations.
Examples of grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. Suicide Prevention Services says its mission is to save lives and restore hope through education, intervention, and support for families bereaved by suicide. DuPage P.A.D.S. says it is committed to ending homelessness in DuPage County. Northern Illinois Food Bank describes its work providing meals and access to nutritious food through a network of food pantries and programs. Marklund says it serves people with profound disabilities, while Senior Home Sharing says it provides affordable family-style homes for seniors who can live independently.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 74 grants totaling $1,163,600 in 2025. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $30,000, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest listed awards were $30,000 each to DuPage P.A.D.S., Habitat for Humanity DuPage County, and Suicide Prevention Services, and $25,000 each to Outreach Community Ministries, Wayside Cross Ministries, Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, Marklund Children’s Home, People’s Resource Center, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Senior Home Sharing. These listed grants were designated for unrestricted general support.
The grant program describes most grants as one-year awards. It states that applicants must have a physical presence in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, or McHenry County, Illinois. The program excludes degree-conferring institutions of higher education, religious houses of worship, organizations testing for public safety, and endowment campaigns.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Bank of America is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.
The Bersted Foundation's only listed officer is Bank Of America, Trustee on every filing since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bank Of America
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$195K (2021) → $207K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bank Of America N A (2019–2020) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $207K, to Bank of America (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Bersted Foundation
How much does The Bersted Foundation give each year?
The Bersted Foundation gave $1.2M across 74 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 70 grants.
What is The Bersted Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bersted Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,724, across 74 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Bersted Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does The Bersted Foundation give grants?
The Bersted Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wheaton, IL (9 grants), Naperville, IL (7 grants), Aurora, IL (6 grants) and Glen Ellyn, IL (5 grants).
Does The Bersted Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of The Bersted Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (73 of 74) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bersted Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bersted Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Dupage Pads ($30,000), Habitat for Humanity Dupage County ($30,000) and Suicide Prevention Services ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bersted Foundation?
The Bersted Foundation reported $29.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Bersted Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support and promote quality educational, human services, and health care programming for underserved populations. Its filing says it conducts no direct charitable activities and makes contributions and grants to qualified charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bersted Foundation?
The 2024 filing lists Susan Boin as the contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bersted Foundation's EIN?
The Bersted Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6493609. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bersted Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Dupage Community Foundation
Downers Grove, IL
The DuPage Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community collaborations working in health and human services, youth education, workforce development, the environment, animal welfare, arts and culture, and early childhood education, primarily serving DuPage County residents. Its 2025 median grant was $20,000; 2026 Community Impact grants are capped at $5,000 for Seed grants and generally $10,000–$25,000 for Sustain grants, depending on the focus area. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$161.8M
Grants
241
Total Given
$16.9M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
Naperville Rotary Charities Inc
Naperville, IL
Naperville Rotary Charities funds 501(c)(3) organizations providing education, basic humanitarian services, or relief for people who are poor or underprivileged; most of its giving goes to Illinois, though it reports no geographic limits. In 2024, grants ranged from $350 to $45,000, with a median of $5,000. The filing provides application instructions but does not explicitly say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$13.0M
Grants
101
Total Given
$581K
George M Eisenberg Foundation
Arlington Heights, IL
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including health care, disability services, youth services, and hunger relief, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and the rest to Minnesota. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $1,000 to $1,275,000. It accepts requests by letter rather than a formal application; requests are due by April 30 for consideration the following calendar year.
Assets
$39.8M
Grants
150
Total Given
$4.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bersted Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bersted-foundation-morg_67078f9cab4c45e991e2fe376ca9654c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366493609_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bersted Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bersted-foundation-morg_67078f9cab4c45e991e2fe376ca9654c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Bersted 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.
The Bersted Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?