The Dianne & David Stern Foundation
The Dianne & David Stern Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2008 and based in New York City. The foundation was founded by Dianne Stern and the late David J. Stern, a prominent attorney who served as Commissioner of the NBA from 1984 to 2014. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and functions primarily as a grantmaker supporting various charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.4M
+0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$607K
-78.1% YoY
Grant Count
31
+933.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-97.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dianne & David Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation primarily supports:
- Conservation and Environment: Land and animal conservation efforts, including support for organizations focused on environmental protection and wildlife preservation
- Education: Educational institutions and programs, with particular emphasis on higher education
- Human Services: General human services and community support
- Jewish Causes: Organizations and initiatives serving the Jewish community
- Arts and Culture: Cultural institutions and artistic endeavors
- Youth Development: Programs serving young people
- Animal Welfare: Organizations focused on animal protection and rescue
Grantmaking
The foundation made 29 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending February 2025), with total grant disbursements of approximately $505,500 beyond the major grants listed below.
How to Apply
**: Applicants should submit proposals in writing, specifying the amount required and intended use of funds.
Ready to take the next step with The Dianne & David Stern Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes grantmaking in New York City and nearby Westchester County, though it has made grants to organizations in other regions, including Florida and nationally-focused organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (FY 2025):
- Total Assets: $11,375,490
- Total Revenues: $695,301
- Total Expenses: $678,359
- Investment Income and Dividends: $400,204
Prior Year (FY 2024):
- Total Assets: $11.4 million
- Total Revenues: $1.43 million
- Total Expenses: $2.79 million
Organization Details:
- EIN: 26-1598679
- Address: Eisner Advisory Group, 733 Third Avenue, New York City, NY 10017
- Telephone: 212-949-8700
- Number of Employees: 0
- Tax-exempt Status: Granted July 2008
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,375,490 | $11,358,548 | $12,711,100 |
| Revenue | $695,301 | $1,433,923 | $667,902 |
| Expenses | $678,359 | $2,786,475 | $1,285,230 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $615,042 | $2,778,938 | $1,278,523 |
| Net Investment Income | $679,558 | $2,748,791 | $754,074 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,272,292 | $1,161,818 | $1,215,560 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Columbia University ($275,000), Ecojustice Canada Society ($70,000), Jazz at Lincoln Center ($65,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLEY CAT ALLIES BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $4,000 |
| ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE OF WESTCHESTER CTY WHITE PLAINS, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY KANAB, UT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BHUTAN FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| CAT ASSISTANCE ARDSLEY, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $275,000 |
| ECOJUSTICE CANADA SOCIETY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| EQUINE RESCUE INC BLOOMINGBURG, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| FARM SANCTUARY WATKINS GLEN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| FEEDING WESTCHESTER ELMSFORD, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Dianne B. Stern: Trustee and President
- David J. Stern: Founder (deceased 2020); former NBA Commissioner, Chair Emeritus of the Trustees of Columbia University, and member of The Council of Foreign Relations
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANNE B STERN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ERIC A STERN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Grantmaking activity has tapered significantly since David Stern's passing in 2020. The foundation continues to operate under Dianne Stern's leadership as President and Trustee. The foundation's lack of public transparency limits available information regarding strategic direction and future grantmaking priorities.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Dianne & David Stern Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation primarily supports: • **Conservation and Environment**: Land and animal conservation efforts, including support for organizations focused on environmental protection and wildlife preservation • **Education**: Educational institutions and programs, with particular emphasis on higher education • **Human Services**: General human services and community support • **Jewish…
How do I apply for a grant from The Dianne & David Stern Foundation?
The foundation made 29 grants in the most recent fiscal year (ending February 2025), with total grant disbursements of approximately $505,500 beyond the major grants listed below. **Recent Major Grants (FY 2025):** • Columbia University: $275,000 (General Support) • Jazz at Lincoln Center: $65,000 (General Support) • UJA-Federation of New York: $30,000 (General Support) **Notable Recent Recipients** (based on historical grantmaking): • Greenpeace • Earthjustice • Scenic Hudson • Pets Alive • Th…
Where does The Dianne & David Stern Foundation make grants?
The foundation prioritizes grantmaking in New York City and nearby Westchester County, though it has made grants to organizations in other regions, including Florida and nationally-focused organizations.
What size grants does The Dianne & David Stern Foundation award?
In 2025, The Dianne & David Stern Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $607K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Dianne & David Stern Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Dianne & David Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Dianne & David Stern Foundation's EIN?
The Dianne & David Stern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1598679. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Dianne & David Stern Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Reich Family Charitable Trust
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$689K
Grants
1
Total Given
$453K
Launa Beuhler Foundation for
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$2K
Grants
4
Total Given
$20K
The Hilary Grace Foundation Inc
EAST AMHERST, NY
Assets
$126K
Grants
2
Total Given
$36K
Uw E J Madden Mem Open Hearts Club 10-214880
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$307K
Hindy's Foundation
BROOKLYN, NY
Assets
$142K
Grants
8
Total Given
$225K
Jeanne & Thomas Hardy Family Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$3K
Grants
3
Total Given
$3K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Dianne & David Stern Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Dianne & David Stern Foundation to a real strategy.