The Bill Bernbach Foundation
The Bill Bernbach Foundation is a private foundation, based in Bedford Hills, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $529K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $46K. Net investment income was $62K.
The Bill Bernbach Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bill Bernbach Foundation gave $46K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $46,250
- -3.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- -42.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,563
- +69.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,250
- Total assets
- $529,183
- +1.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Bill Bernbach Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Saint Ann's School ($20K). Together the top 4 received $46K.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 36 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Bill Bernbach Foundation gives
- Giving fell 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $46K (2025) to $88K (2020). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $46K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Ann's School Brooklyn Heights, NY | Achieve Charitable Purpose | $20,000 |
| Casta Maria Bronx, NY | Achieve Charitable Purpose | $12,500 |
| Brooklyn Muesum Brooklyn, NY | Achieve Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| The Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | Achieve Charitable Purpose | $3,750 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bill Bernbach 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 | $529,183 | $69,827 | $61,069 | $46,250 | 4 | $51,915 | $62,138 | $46,907 |
| 2024 | $520,425 | $95,273 | $61,060 | $47,870 | 7 | $53,270 | $88,041 | $35,412 |
| 2023 | $486,212 | $52,120 | $67,247 | $56,250 | 7 | $61,150 | $46,618 | $33,261 |
| 2022 | $501,339 | $46,295 | $92,313 | $80,250 | 11 | $85,250 | $40,498 | $35,948 |
| 2021 | $547,357 | $70,901 | $74,632 | $56,750 | 7 | $61,750 | $64,672 | $40,679 |
| 2020 | $551,088 | $62,802 | $98,881 | $87,750 | 7 | — | $56,484 | $38,749 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bill Bernbach Foundation reported a distributable amount of $47K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bill Bernbach Foundation is led by John Bernbach, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Bernbach
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Therese Bernbach
Director
On filings since 2020
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 Bill Bernbach Foundation
How much does The Bill Bernbach Foundation give each year?
The Bill Bernbach Foundation gave $46K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $48K across 7 grants.
What is The Bill Bernbach Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bill Bernbach Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $11,250, and its average grant was $11,563, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bill Bernbach Foundation give grants?
The Bill Bernbach Foundation gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
How large is The Bill Bernbach Foundation?
The Bill Bernbach Foundation reported $529K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $52K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $47K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Bill Bernbach Foundation's EIN?
The Bill Bernbach Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7060333. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 October 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bill Bernbach Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
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
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Bill Bernbach 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 Bill Bernbach Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?