The W & R Bernheimer Family

Private foundation · Grantmaker Waban, MA EIN: 04-6904609

The W & R Bernheimer Family is a private foundation based in Waban, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports grantmaking to charitable organizations, including organizations working in the performing arts, education, animal welfare, environmental protection, homelessness services, public media, and women’s health.

Key facts about The W & R Bernheimer Family

In short: The W & R Bernheimer Family gave $58K across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
04-6904609
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$57,675
Grants made (2025)
38
Average grant
$1,518
Median grant
$1,000
Total assets
$1,085,536
Primary geography
New York (36% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.1M

+2.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$58K

+13.1% YoY

Grant Count

38

-19.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

+39.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The W & R Bernheimer Family reported a distributable amount of $60K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The W & R Bernheimer Family gives

  • 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in areas including the arts, education, animal welfare, environmental protection, housing and homelessness services, public media, and health.

Grantee descriptions illustrate the range of work supported. Buttonwood Park Zoological Society says it promotes and supports the zoo and provides educational and recreational opportunities that foster commitment to the environment and conservation. Maeday Rescue describes its work as rescuing and re-homing dogs, providing veterinary care, and holding spay-and-neuter clinics. Sister Jose Women’s Center says it cares for unhoused women and aims to offer them a safe harbor and a path to sustainable life. Women’s Lunch Place describes providing a day-shelter community and services for women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 38 grants totaling $57,675. Grants ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median of $1,000.

Among the largest reported grants were $10,000 to Mark Morris Dance Group for performance arts; $6,000 to Buttonwood Park Zoological Society; $5,500 to Institute for Public Architecture; $5,500 to Williams College for education; and $3,500 to Architectural League of NY. Other grants included $2,000 to Center for Biodiversity for environmental protection and $2,000 to Maeday Rescue for dog rescue.

How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The W & R Bernheimer Family?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to organizations in New York (36%) and Massachusetts (33%), followed by California (16%), Arizona (9%), and North Carolina (2%).

Grant Distribution by State

14states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.

Cities

Los AngelesTucsonBostonBrooklynNew BedfordNew YorkWilliamstownWabanBurlingtonEasthamptonGreat BarringtonSanta MonicaSt. LouisWest NewtonWynnwoodAlachuaAmherstBrocktonBrooklineDurham

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K1 grant2020 1 grant2021 1 grant2022 1 grant2023 47 grants2024 38 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2020) to $58K (2025). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $58K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Mark Morris Dance Group: $10KMark Morris Dance Group$10KButtonwood Park Zoological Society: $6KButtonwood Park ZoologicalSociety$6KInstitute for Public Architecture: $6KInstitute for PublicArchitecture$6KWilliams College: $6KWilliams College$6KArchitectural League of NY: $4KArchitectural League of NY$4KCenter for Biodiversity: $2KCenter for Biodiversity$2KMaeday Rescue: $2KMaeday Rescue$2KSister Jose Women's Center: $2KSister Jose Women's Center$2KKCRW: $2KKCRW$2KPlanned Parenthood: $2KPlanned Parenthood$2K

The largest 2025 recipient was Mark Morris Dance Group ($10K). Together the top 10 received $39K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,575), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

88 grants across all recorded years

87<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 88 (99%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Mark Morris Dance Group Brooklyn, NYSupport Performance Arts$10,000
Buttonwood Park Zoological Society New Bedford, MASupport Buttonworth Park Zoo$6,000
Institute for Public Architecture Brooklyn, NYFullfill Charitable Purpose of Org$5,500
Williams College Williamstown, MAEducation$5,500
Architectural League of NY New York, NYFullfill Charitable Purpose of Org$3,500
Center for Biodiversity Tucson, AZEnvironmental Protection$2,000
Maeday Rescue Los Angeles, CADog Rescue$2,000
1 grant to individuals Recipients not named —$1,575
Sister Jose Women's Center Tucson, AZHomelessness$1,500
KCRW Santa Monica, CAPublic Media$1,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants Grant count
2025 $1,085,536 $103,135 $71,635 $57,675 38
2024 $1,060,536 $209,075 $56,132 $51,000 47
2023 $906,093 $85,535 $60,538 $55,925 1
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,085,536$1,060,536$906,093
Revenue$103,135$209,075$85,535
Expenses$71,635$56,132$60,538
Qualifying Distributions$57,675$51,000$55,925
Net Investment Income$92,375$203,943$79,169
Distributable Amount$59,517$58,529$52,876

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 24, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 26, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 8, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 30, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Walter S Bernheimer II was listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.

The W & R Bernheimer Family is led by Walter S. Bernheimer II, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Walter S. Bernheimer II

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    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.

Contact

Mailing address: 75 Winslow Rd, Waban, MA 02468
Phone: (617) 969-6849

Frequently asked questions about The W & R Bernheimer Family

How much does The W & R Bernheimer Family give each year?

The W & R Bernheimer Family gave $58K across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $51K across 47 grants.

What is The W & R Bernheimer Family's typical grant size?

The W & R Bernheimer Family's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,518, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The W & R Bernheimer Family give grants?

The W & R Bernheimer Family's top state is New York, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (33%) and California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (7 grants), Brooklyn, NY (4 grants), Tucson, AZ (4 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).

Does The W & R Bernheimer Family give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 38 grants with a stated purpose on The W & R Bernheimer Family's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Homelessness" (4 grants) and "Cancer" (3 grants).

Who are The W & R Bernheimer Family's largest grantees?

The W & R Bernheimer Family's largest 2025 grantees include Mark Morris Dance Group ($10,000), Buttonwood Park Zoological Society ($6,000) and Institute for Public Architecture ($5,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,575), which are not listed by name. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The W & R Bernheimer Family?

The W & R Bernheimer Family reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $58K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $60K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does The W & R Bernheimer Family fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in areas including the arts, education, animal welfare, environmental protection, housing and homelessness services, public media, and health. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The W & R Bernheimer Family?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The W & R Bernheimer Family's EIN?

The W & R Bernheimer Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6904609. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does The W & R Bernheimer Family accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The W & R Bernheimer Family by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The W & R Bernheimer Family's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts

Rosenberg Family Charitable Foundation

Newton, MA

Assets

$784K

Grants

96

Total Given

$31K

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$2.1B

Grants

2,375

Total Given

$228.4M

Eastern Bank Foundation

Wakefield, MA

Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Assets

$266.7M

Grants

1,786

Total Given

$19.0M

Barr Foundation

Boston, MA

The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

903

Total Given

$123.2M

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

Woburn, MA

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$258.2M

Grants

658

Total Given

$38.2M

American Tower Corporation Foundation

Boston, MA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15.4M

Grants

632

Total Given

$1.7M

Good Sports Inc

Braintree, MA

Good Sports provides free sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to established schools and community organizations running ongoing youth sports and physical-activity programs in high-need communities; it serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,004 to $229,133, with a median of $12,781. Youth programs and schools can apply through its community-organization application process.

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

619

Total Given

$11.2M

The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund Inc

Boston, MA

The fund awards need- and merit-based scholarships to full-time students pursuing bachelor’s degrees who permanently reside in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont; recipients may attend college anywhere in the United States. Awards generally range from $3,000 to $17,000, with typical annual awards of $6,000 to $10,000. It accepts applications through an online student portal; the profile does not describe other unsolicited requests.

Education

Assets

$41.6M

Grants

520

Total Given

$5.1M

Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc

Pittsfield, MA

The foundation supports nonprofits working in small business, financial inclusion, housing, health and wellness, food insecurity, youth development, and arts and culture across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $33,333, with a median of $2,500. It accepts written applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities and lists quarterly deadlines.

Assets

$17.1M

Grants

478

Total Given

$2.0M

More Funders in Massachusetts

The W & R Bernheimer Family down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?