The Russell Berrie Foundation
The Russell Berrie Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 1985 and headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey. Founded by the late Russell Berrie, who built Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. (now known as Kid Brands, Inc.), a gift product design and manufacturing company, the foundation identifies visionaries, institutions, and unsung heroes doing groundbreaking work and amplifies their impact through financial and strategic support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$157.5M
-4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.0M
+0.2% YoY
Grant Count
174
+104.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$92K
-51.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was created to express the values and passions of Russell Berrie through social investments in innovative ideas designed to:
- Promote the continuity and enrichment of Jewish communal life
- Support advances in medicine, with a focus on diabetes care and research and humanism in medicine
- Foster the spirit of religious understanding and pluralism through interfaith bridge-building
- Recognize individuals who have made a significant difference to the lives of others
- Elevate the profession of sales
- Raise awareness of terrorism and promote its prevention
- Strengthen community in New Jersey
Grantmaking
The foundation's grant-making focuses on education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, with particular emphasis on New Jersey and Israel.
New Jersey Investments: The foundation has invested in major cultural, educational, and medical institutions including Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Holy Name Medical Center, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. It supports the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, the Jewish Home's Second Century Campaign, and Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $157,539,333
- Total revenues: $20,558,913
- Total expenses: $15,615,059
Assets and Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $165,031,078
- Total revenues: $4,126,324
- Total expenses: $24,858,836
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since February 1986
- EIN: 22-2620908
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $157,539,333 | $165,031,078 | $171,342,100 |
| Revenue | $20,558,913 | $4,126,324 | $17,470,740 |
| Expenses | $15,615,059 | $24,858,836 | $13,515,888 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $21,416,058 | $19,734,698 | $18,147,111 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,238,085 | $1,134,493 | $15,450,323 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,810,091 | $7,959,030 | $8,877,969 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Idana Goldberg – Chief Executive Officer
- David Rosenblatt – Member, Board of Trustees
- Scott Berrie – Vice President (son of Russell Berrie)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM HIRSCH | COO AND CFO | 40 | $407,500 |
| ANGELICA BERRIE | PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| DAVID ROSENBLATT | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| ILAN KAUFTHAL | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MYRON ROSNER LEFT JUNE 2024 | TRUSTEE | 15 | — |
| SCOTT BERRIE | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| STEPHEN SEIDEN | TREASURER | 10 | — |
| IDANA GOLDBERG | CEO | 40 | $460,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards Program:**
Making a Difference Awards honor 10 changemakers for building a stronger\The foundation administers the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards, which have honored New Jersey's unsung heroes for nearly three decades. The program, created in 1997 and administered by Ramapo College of New Jersey, is entering its 30th and final year in 2026.
Russell Berrie Foundation seeks great Gen Z leadersIn 2026, the program is pivoting to focus exclusively on Generation Z leaders ages 16-24 who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating positive change in their communities. The inaugural Gen Z cohort will feature 15 winners, each receiving a $5,000 cash award. The nomination deadline is February 13, 2026, with finalists to be honored at a ceremony in spring 2026 at Ramapo College.
**Israel Engagement:**
CEO Idana Goldberg recently traveled to Israel coinciding with the ceasefire and hostages' release, observing the steady paths leaders are pursuing to advance an inclusive, democratic state.
**Bergen County Center for Teen Engagement:**
The foundation has supported the inaugural launch of Bergen County's Center for Teen Engagement, which aims to spark professional collaboration to excite Northern New Jersey teens about their Jewish identity.
Russell Berrie Foundation Invites New Jerseyans to Nominate the Next Generation**Preschool Education Initiative:**
The foundation is funding educators to access training and mentorship to help preschoolers thrive and families engage in the region's vibrant Jewish community.
**Foundation Sunset:**
The foundation has announced a planned sunset in 2033, marking the end of its grantmaking activities after nearly 50 years of operation.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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