The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 8 grants totaling $5K.
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation gave $5K across 8 grants in 2023 (avg $669.25), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $5,354
- +132.8% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 8
- +300.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $669
- -41.8% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $230
- Primary geography
- Illinois (83% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
Who The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was JDRF ($4K). Together the top 8 received $5K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 15 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation gives
- Giving grew 50% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2021) to $5K (2023). In 2023 it made 8 grants totaling $5K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JDRF Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $3,729 |
| US Holocaust Museum Washington, DC | General & Unrestricted | $500 |
| Ronald McDonald House Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $400 |
| St Jude Children's Hospital Memphis, TN | General & Unrestricted | $300 |
| Art Institute Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $160 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $125 |
| We Are Here Holocaust FD Los Angeles, CA | General & Unrestricted | $100 |
| Juvenile Diabetes Fund Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $40 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $152 | $6,254 | $5,354 | 8 | $6,254 | $75 |
| 2022 | $6,102 | $69 | $2,740 | $2,300 | 2 | $2,740 | $366 |
| 2021 | $8,773 | $16 | $2,425 | $2,000 | 1 | $2,425 | $491 |
| 2020 | $11,182 | $62 | $3,990 | $3,575 | 4 | — | $647 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $75 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Brian Brownstein
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Brownstein
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Zabel
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation
How much does The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation give each year?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation gave $5K across 8 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $2K across 2 grants.
What is The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $230, and its average grant was $669, across 8 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation give grants?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (9%) and Tennessee (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include JDRF ($3,729), US Holocaust Museum ($500) and Ronald McDonald House ($400), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What is The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL.
How much is The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $75 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's EIN?
The Bertha & Henry Brownstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6149407. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 18, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 11, 2023)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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