The Bethesda Foundation
The Bethesda Foundation is a private foundation based in Rockville, Maryland. In 2024, it reported 17 grants totaling $190,592, with grants shown going to charitable organizations in Maryland, Washington, DC, New York, and Colorado.
The Bethesda Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bethesda Foundation gave $191K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), top state Maryland. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $190,592
- +1.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +41.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,211
- -28.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $3,160,535
- +6.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (6 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Bethesda Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5515 Security Lane Suite 1115, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 530-9700
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bethesda Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry ($40K). Together the top 10 received $171K.
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 64 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Maryland (38%), Washington, DC (38%), New York (21%), and Colorado (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Bethesda Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 17 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 112% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 198% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $87K (2020) to $191K (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $191K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $40,142 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Rockville, MD | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Washington Institute of Near East Policy Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Jewish Community Relations Council Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| American Jewish Committee New York, NY | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Strathmore Circles Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Congregation B'nai Tzedek Potomac, MD | General Operating Support | $5,850 |
| DC Jazz Festival Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Israel Policy Forum New York, NY | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bethesda 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 | $3,160,535 | $444,373 | $249,746 | $190,592 | 17 | $227,930 | $381,373 | $114,887 |
| 2023 | $2,966,271 | $478,714 | $201,311 | $186,995 | 12 | $194,675 | $271,474 | $124,312 |
| 2022 | $2,689,522 | $-862,885 | $164,141 | $136,425 | 15 | $145,925 | $58,883 | $137,582 |
| 2021 | $2,721,808 | $-116,990 | $103,417 | $89,836 | 10 | $97,972 | $97,224 | $105,039 |
| 2020 | $2,942,215 | $133,079 | $105,469 | $87,000 | 10 | — | $64,670 | $84,460 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bethesda Foundation reported a distributable amount of $115K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included general operating support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Anti-Defamation League describes its work as fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate, while the DC Jazz Festival describes its mission as presenting jazz, connecting communities, and advancing music education. National Jewish Health says it provides healthcare, conducts research, and educates healthcare professionals. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not statements of the foundation’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $190,592. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $40,142, with a median of $5,000. The largest reported grants included $40,142 to the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry; $25,000 each to the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and Washington Institute of Near East Policy; and $20,000 to the Jewish Community Relations Council. Each of these grants was listed for general operating support.
Other 2024 grants included $10,000 to the American Jewish Committee and $5,000 each to the DC Jazz Festival, Israel Policy Forum, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, and National Jewish Health. The grantee descriptions also identify 2024 awards of $2,500 to So What Else and $1,800 each to Sunflower Bakery and Alef Bet Montessori School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Allen R. Kronstadt as president and Marilyn Brody as treasurer.
The Bethesda Foundation is led by Allen R. Kronstadt, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allen R. Kronstadt
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Brody
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Harry A. Harrison (2020–2022) — Treasurer
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 Bethesda Foundation
How much does The Bethesda Foundation give each year?
The Bethesda Foundation gave $191K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $187K across 12 grants.
What is The Bethesda Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bethesda Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $11,211, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Bethesda Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Bethesda Foundation give grants?
The Bethesda Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (38%) and New York (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Bethesda, MD (3 grants) and Rockville, MD (3 grants).
Does The Bethesda Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Bethesda Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bethesda Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bethesda Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry ($40,142), Anti-Defamation League ($25,000) and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Bethesda Foundation?
The Bethesda Foundation reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $228K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $115K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Bethesda Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included general operating support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bethesda Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bethesda Foundation's EIN?
The Bethesda Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1495608. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Bethesda 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Maryland
Maryland Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bethesda Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Maryland
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc
North Bethesda, MD
The Federation funds Jewish communal organizations and programs, including services for people in need, Jewish learning and engagement, youth and family programs, inclusion, community security, and work connecting the region with Israel and Jewish communities abroad. In 2025 it made 360 grants, with a median award of $20,000; grants ranged from $5,001 to $3.3 million, primarily supporting organizations in Greater Washington as well as national and international partners. It issues requests for proposals when opportunities are available; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$388.5M
Grants
360
Total Given
$34.1M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits working across areas such as economic opportunity, education, health, arts, and human services, with an emphasis on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it generally funds organizations serving DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia communities; it offers scheduled open competitive grant rounds as well as invite-only opportunities.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
The Gary and Pennie Abramson Charitable
Rockville, MD
The Gary and Pennie Abramson Charitable supports Jewish organizations, education, health, Israel-related work, and other causes, with 2024 grants concentrated in New York, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Grants ranged from $500 to $508,912, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$47.0M
Grants
107
Total Given
$2.6M
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bethesda Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bethesda-foundation-morg_f77f85cfee564be59fcdf707ba446aae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521495608_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bethesda Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bethesda-foundation-morg_f77f85cfee564be59fcdf707ba446aae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?