The Isidore Stern Foundation

RIDGEFIELD, CT EIN: 13-6113256

The Isidore Stern Foundation is a private foundation based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization focused on supporting charitable causes across multiple sectors.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.1M

+25.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$108K

+3.0% YoY

Grant Count

+4.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

-1.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Isidore Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $108K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary purpose is to encourage and promote philanthropy and charitable giving. Its funding priorities include:

Education
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Human Services

Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

New York $578K (55%)

Massachusetts $154K (15%)

District of Columbia $117K (11%)

Alabama $59K (6%)

Maryland $31K (3%)

Connecticut $30K (3%)

Virginia $30K (3%)

Illinois $21K (2%)

+3 more states

States

Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Connecticut District of Columbia Illinois Massachusetts Maryland New York Virginia

Cities

ArlingtonBostonCambridgeChicagoFairfieldLittle RockMontgomeryNew YorkSilver SpringsWashingtonWashington DcWatertownWest Hollywood

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Total Assets: $1,071,612
Total Annual Giving: $108,158

These figures are based on the foundation's most recent IRS Form 990 filing from 2024.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,071,612	$853,009	$898,755
Revenue	$337,534	$72,519	$260,498
Expenses	$118,931	$118,265	$285,657
Qualifying Distributions	$108,158	$105,000	$270,000
Net Investment Income	$326,761	$59,319	$58,611
Distributable Amount	$108,055	$109,661	$120,121

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 2024

Grant Size Distribution

117 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Planned Parenthood ($10,728), Aclu ($10,664), Environmental Defense Fund ($9,215).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY	An independent, global movement providing medical aid where its needed most. Founded to save lives and speak out, MSF has treated tens of millions of people since 1971	$6,274
ACLU NEW YORK, NY	The ACLU was founded to ensure the promise of the Bill of Rights and to expand its reach to people historically denied its protections. In our first year, we fought the harassment and deportation of immigrants whose activism put them at odds with the authorities.	$10,664
AMERICAN-ARAB ANTI DISCRIMINATION COMMITTEE WASHINGTON DC, DC	ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage. ADC was founded by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk in 1980. Today, ADC is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S. ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.	$3,158
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK, NY	We work to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.	$3,937
ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE NEW YORK, NY	ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is a global leader in exposing extremism and delivering anti-bias education, and is a leading organization in training law enforcement. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL's ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.	$4,586
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND NEW YORK, NY	We address today's most urgent environmental challenges by targeting issues that affect people around the world. Working in partnership with others, we focus where we're best positioned to help, based on our strengths. strengths.	$9,215
FEEDING AMERICA CHICAGO, IL	he Feeding America network is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to connect people with food and end hunger. Donors, staff, and volunteers all play an important role in our efforts to end hunger in the United States.	$2,146
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL LITTLE ROCK, AR	we work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up.	$3,115
HIAS SILVER SPRINGS, MD	HIAS works around the world to protect refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands because of who they are, including ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. For more than 130 years, HIAS has been helping refugees rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.	$3,193
NRDC NEW YORK, NY	NRDC works to safeguard the earth-its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.	$3,158

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
ALAN STERN	TRUSTEE	—	—
JORDAN STERN	TRUSTEE	—	—
RICHARD STERN JR	TRUSTEE	—	—

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Isidore Stern Foundation fund?

The foundation's primary purpose is to encourage and promote philanthropy and charitable giving. Its funding priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services

How do I apply for a grant from The Isidore Stern Foundation?

**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $2,146 to $34,500. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $108,158 in grants based on its most recent filing. **Geographic Focus:** The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.

What size grants does The Isidore Stern Foundation award?

In 2024, The Isidore Stern Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $108K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Isidore Stern Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Isidore Stern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $108K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.