The Stern Family Foundation
The Stern Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Beverly Hills, California (with operations also noted in Sherman Oaks, CA). Established in August 1999, the foundation operates as a charitable trust designed to provide resources for individuals who have encountered adversity and to assist in opening pathways toward success.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
-1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$108K
-69.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
-16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-63.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Stern Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $171K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to lend a hand to those whose circumstances have not provided a level playing field of opportunities for success. The organization states that its grants and scholarships are focused on causes that have touched the foundation's life and can make meaningful, immediate, and direct impact on individuals and their communities.
Primary funding areas include:
- Educational scholarships
- Individual hardship assistance
- Targeted community giving
- Educational programs
- Animal protection programs
- Human welfare programs
- Medical research and treatment programs
- Wilderness protection programs
- Veterans services
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants in the form of educational scholarships, individual hardship assistance, and community giving. Recent grant activity shows the foundation made 48 grants in 2024.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $200 to $200,852, with recent grants including:
Ready to take the next step with The Stern Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds in California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,060,987
- Total Giving: $108,118
- Total Revenues: $92,597
- Total Expenses: $121,816
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $2.09 million
- Total Revenues: $79.8k
- Total Expenses: $355k
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,060,987 | $2,091,393 | $2,366,662 |
| Revenue | $92,597 | $79,800 | $178,001 |
| Expenses | $121,816 | $354,626 | $80,141 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $113,656 | $351,706 | $70,999 |
| Net Investment Income | $60,430 | $55,712 | $57,651 |
| Distributable Amount | $170,938 | $146,600 | $146,360 |
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
196 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Calibrate Earth ($12,000), Calvary Baptist Church ($11,681), Direct Relief - California Wildfire ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS 4 BIKES FOUNDATION WOODACRE, CA | TO MOTIVATE AND EMPOWER MARIN MOUNTAIN BIKERS TO ACT IN THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST, TO GET FAIR AND REASONABLE ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC TRAILS AND TO PRESERVE THE EXPERIENCE OF TRAIL RIDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. | $1,250 |
| BETTERTOGETHER FOREVER GLENDALE, CA | TO EMPOWER PET OWNERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE ABANDONED ANIMAL POPULATIONS THROUGH SPAY/NEUTER | $500 |
| CALIBRATE EARTH PASADENA, CA | TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THE DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY, BY PROVIDING SAFE, EQUITABLE, HUMANITARIAN SPACES WHERE THEIR WHOLE SELVES ARE VALUED, WHERE THEY CAN EXPERIENCE ENGAGEMENT, EMPOWERMENT, AND EMOTIONAL THRIVING. | $12,000 |
| CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION SACRAMENTO, CA | PROVIDES EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY PROTEC | $1,000 |
| CALIFORNIA TROUT SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO PROTECT WILDERNESS | $1,250 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH WASHINGTON, DC | RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS | $11,681 |
| CAMPBELL HALL SCHOOL STUDIO CITY, CA | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS | $8,000 |
| CITY OF HOPE IRVINE, CA | MEDICAL RESEARCH AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS | $1,500 |
| COLLEGE GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO COLLEGE GROVE, CA | SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS MAKE SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS WHICH MAKE THRIVING COMMUNITIES. | $8,000 |
| COLLEGE TRACK OAKLAND, CA | INSPIRE ALL STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THE BELIEF THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY, TO INFLUENCE THEIR OWN DESTINY. | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JODY S LINDELL | DIRECTOR / BOARD CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| SHELLEY STERN KRIEGLER | DIRECTOR / PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| TAFFY J STERN | DIRECTOR / BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STACEY L STERN-VON BERG | DIRECTOR / CFO | 0.25 | — |
| KAREN LEWIS | DIRECTOR / VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NICOLE VON-BERG | DIRECTOR / SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MEGAN ROWE | DIRECTOR / BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced congratulations to its 2025 Scholarship Recipients, with applications for new candidates opening January 1, 2026 through April 1, 2026.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Stern Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to lend a hand to those whose circumstances have not provided a level playing field of opportunities for success. The organization states that its grants and scholarships are focused on causes that have touched the foundation's life and can make meaningful, immediate, and direct impact on individuals and their communities. Primary funding areas include: • Educational scholarships • Individual hardship assistance • Targeted community giving • Educational programs • An…
How do I apply for a grant from The Stern Family Foundation?
The foundation makes grants in the form of educational scholarships, individual hardship assistance, and community giving. Recent grant activity shows the foundation made 48 grants in 2024. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $200 to $200,852, with recent grants including: • $12,000 to Calibrate A Non Profit Corporation • $11,681 to Calvary Burmese Baptist Church • $8,000 to College Grove Elementary School PTO **Scholarship Program:** The foundation operates a "Scholarship for Perseveran…
Where does The Stern Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds in California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Stern Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Stern Family Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $108K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Stern Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Stern Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $171K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Stern Family Foundation's EIN?
The Stern Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4744668. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Stern Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Stern Family 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 Stern Family Foundation to a real strategy.