The Bilger Foundation
The Bilger Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Its 2025 grants supported charitable organizations including cultural, legal-services, arts, research, and Jewish community organizations.
The Bilger Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bilger Foundation gave $298K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $297,500
- -28.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -52.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,056
- +51.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $60,651
- +970.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Bilger Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 480 Bel Air Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Phone: (310) 234-2300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bilger Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Skirball Cultural Center ($100K). Together the top 9 received $298K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 59 grants of 80 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 12% to recipients in Illinois, and 3% to recipients in Connecticut. The listed recipients included organizations in Los Angeles and Simi Valley, California; Skokie and Chicago, Illinois; and Trumbull, Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Bilger Foundation gives
- Giving fell 67% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2024 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $298K (2025) to $1.3M (2021). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $298K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Skirball Cultural Center Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $100,000 |
| Bet Tzedek Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $50,000 |
| The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $50,000 |
| Elnet-US Skokie, IL | Charitable Contribution | $25,000 |
| Sinai Temple Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $25,000 |
| The Simon Wiesenthal Center Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $25,000 |
| Rett Syndrome Research Trust Trumbull, CT | Charitable Contribution | $10,000 |
| Urban Gateways Chicago, IL | Charitable Contribution | $10,000 |
| Mother Cabrini Student Scholarship Simi Valley, CA | Charitable Contribution | $2,500 |
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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 | $60,651 | $666,813 | $313,674 | $297,500 | 9 | $310,292 | $296,047 | — |
| 2024 | $5,666 | $504,853 | $434,402 | $415,000 | 19 | $427,661 | $179,923 | $6,494 |
| 2023 | $124,689 | $1,087,102 | $459,745 | $434,600 | 17 | $447,201 | $525,937 | — |
| 2022 | $17,964 | $1,322,874 | $921,852 | $900,000 | 17 | $911,441 | $742,130 | — |
| 2021 | $165,628 | $737,449 | $1,309,444 | $1,277,943 | 18 | $1,289,103 | $417,264 | $39,650 |
| 2020 | $975,967 | $2,482,809 | $493,848 | $469,200 | 17 | — | $1,214,737 | $9,785 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not stated. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Skirball Cultural Center describes its work as welcoming people of all communities and generations to cultural experiences that foster human connection and help build a more just society. Bet Tzedek says it provides free legal services to those who need them most. Urban Gateways engages young people in arts experiences to inspire creativity and social change, while Rett Syndrome Research Trust focuses on developing treatments and cures for Rett syndrome and related MECP2 disorders.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $297,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $100,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Its largest grants were $100,000 to the Skirball Cultural Center, $50,000 to Bet Tzedek, and $50,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Other grants included $25,000 each to ELNET-US, Sinai Temple, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; $10,000 each to Rett Syndrome Research Trust and Urban Gateways; and $2,500 to Mother Cabrini Student Scholarship.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Arthur Bilger is listed as president on the 2025 filing.
The Bilger Foundation is led by Arthur Bilger, President on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Arthur Bilger
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Bilger Foundation
How much does The Bilger Foundation give each year?
The Bilger Foundation gave $298K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $415K across 19 grants.
What is The Bilger Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bilger Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,056, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bilger Foundation give grants?
The Bilger Foundation gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (5 grants).
Who are The Bilger Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bilger Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Skirball Cultural Center ($100,000), Bet Tzedek ($50,000) and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bilger Foundation?
The Bilger Foundation reported $61K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $667K.
What does The Bilger Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bilger Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bilger Foundation's EIN?
The Bilger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6524956. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Bilger Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
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