West Davis & Bergard Foundation
The West Davis & Bergard Foundation is a private foundation based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1996 by Carl Bergard and Leon Seyranian, it says its mission is to award grants that help smaller nonprofit organizations support and improve the community.
West Davis & Bergard Foundation at a glance
In short: West Davis & Bergard Foundation gave $882K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in California. 3% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $881,795
- +79.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- -5.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,832
- +88.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,522
- Total assets
- $8,327,295
- +8.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to West Davis & Bergard Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and is not accepting requests from new grantees. Organizations with an existing relationship with the foundation are welcome to apply. The board meets quarterly to consider grant requests.
- Review Cycle
- February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.
- Deadline
- February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4100 Redwood Road Suite 20A-153, Oakland, CA 94619
Phone: (510) 482-0800
Website: https://westdavisandbergardfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who West Davis & Bergard Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Youth Alive ($290K). Together the top 10 received $595K.
Grant Size Distribution
176 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 170 grants of 176 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Alameda County and West Contra Costa County as its special focus areas. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 6% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is West Davis & Bergard Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 37 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $14K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 133% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 229% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $198K (2020) to $882K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $882K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Alive Oakland, CA | Donation | $290,273 |
| Alameda County Community Food Bank Alameda, CA | Donation | $50,000 |
| World Central Kitchen Washington, DC | Donation | $50,000 |
| Prescott Circus Theatre Oakland, CA | Donation | $50,000 |
| Cristo Rey De La Salle Oakland, CA | Donation | $40,000 |
| Oakland Catholic Worker Oakland, CA | Donation | $25,000 |
| Operation Dignity Emeryville, CA | Donation | $25,000 |
| Grateful Gatherings Oakland, CA | Donation | $25,000 |
| A Safe Place Oakland, CA | Donation | $20,000 |
| East Bay SPCA Oakland, CA | Donation | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with West Davis & Bergard Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,327,295 | $492,651 | $979,745 | $881,795 | 37 | $881,795 | $368,104 | $384,325 |
| 2024 | $7,649,763 | $645,646 | $581,623 | $492,319 | 39 | $502,202 | $81,225 | $318,629 |
| 2023 | $5,908,168 | $-202,707 | $415,532 | $329,290 | 35 | $342,537 | $119,807 | $263,524 |
| 2022 | $5,371,584 | $456,004 | $482,504 | $377,700 | 35 | $388,761 | $139,751 | $300,766 |
| 2021 | $6,625,948 | $3,178,749 | $291,134 | $212,220 | 30 | — | $213,350 | $184,516 |
| 2020 | $3,101,721 | $100,088 | $282,712 | $198,350 | 27 | — | $90,174 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, West Davis & Bergard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $384K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it makes grants for specific projects rather than operating support. Its stated areas of concern include education, homelessness, children and youth services, substance abuse treatment, mental and physical impairments, domestic violence, senior services, and veterans issues.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. Youth Alive says it works to prevent violence, educate and assist youth and families, and support victims of violence and formerly incarcerated people. Prescott Circus Theatre says it uses circus and theatre arts education to help youth build confidence, teamwork, and other skills. Alameda County Community Food Bank says it pursues a hunger-free community. Other 2025 grantees include organizations whose stated missions address crisis-response meals (World Central Kitchen), transitional housing for Latin American immigrants (Oakland Catholic Worker), pathways to health and housing for people experiencing homelessness (Operation Dignity), and support for families transitioning out of homelessness, crisis, and poverty (Grateful Gatherings).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $881,795. The grants ranged from $500 to $290,273, with a median of $13,522. The foundation’s website states that its average grant is $7,500.
The largest reported 2025 grants included $290,273 to Youth Alive; $50,000 each to Alameda County Community Food Bank, World Central Kitchen, and Prescott Circus Theatre; and $40,000 to Cristo Rey De La Salle. Other notable grants were $25,000 each to Oakland Catholic Worker, Operation Dignity, and Grateful Gatherings, and $20,000 each to A Safe Place, East Bay SPCA, Native American Health Center, and Regional Parks Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert F. Wright as president, Tony Rimac as treasurer, and MaryAnne Kaplan as secretary. It also lists Matthew Haley, Megan Nakahara, Elizabeth Nakamura, Sandi Wright, Sue Holmes, and Janis Dunivin as board members. Elizabeth Nakamura, Sandi Wright, Sue Holmes, and Janis Dunivin are also listed as advisory committee members.
West Davis & Bergard Foundation is led by Robert F. Wright, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert F. Wright
President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maryanne Kaplan
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Nakahara
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Rimac
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Nakamura
Board Member & Advisory Committee Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janis Dunivin
Board Member & Advisory Committee Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Haley
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandi Wright
Board Member & Advisory Committee Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Holmes
Board Member & Advisory Committee Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Eleanor M. Manuel (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeanne M. Richards (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Matt Haley (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Doris Seyranian (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Patrick F. Feeney (2020) — Treasurer
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.
Frequently asked questions about West Davis & Bergard Foundation
How much does West Davis & Bergard Foundation give each year?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation gave $882K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $492K across 39 grants.
What is West Davis & Bergard Foundation's typical grant size?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $13,522, and its average grant was $23,832, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from West Davis & Bergard Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does West Davis & Bergard Foundation give grants?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation gives mostly in California: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (28 grants), Alameda, CA (2 grants) and Hayward, CA (2 grants).
Does West Davis & Bergard Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on West Davis & Bergard Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (37 grants).
Who are West Davis & Bergard Foundation's largest grantees?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Youth Alive ($290,273), Alameda County Community Food Bank ($50,000) and World Central Kitchen ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is West Davis & Bergard Foundation?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation reported $8.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $882K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $384K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does West Davis & Bergard Foundation fund?
The foundation says it makes grants for specific projects rather than operating support. Its stated areas of concern include education, homelessness, children and youth services, substance abuse treatment, mental and physical impairments, domestic violence, senior services, and veterans issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from West Davis & Bergard Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and is not accepting requests from new grantees. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is West Davis & Bergard Foundation's EIN?
West Davis & Bergard Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3255381. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does West Davis & Bergard Foundation 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.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). West Davis & Bergard Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/west-davis-and-bergard-foundation-morg_a19bfff7955b4e3c85a7c95c77315463
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943255381_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{West Davis \& Bergard Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/west-davis-and-bergard-foundation-morg_a19bfff7955b4e3c85a7c95c77315463},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from West Davis & Bergard Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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