Bernheim Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Bernheim Foundation funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, health, human services, humanitarian, and Jewish causes.

IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Most grantmaking stays in the New York area, so grantseekers outside the city will want to look elsewhere. Networking is key here.

PROFILE: The Bernheim Foundation was established in 1955. Charles Bernheim and his late brother Leonard Jr. ran Stern, Lauer & Co., a family brokerage firm, and later both worked at Bear Stearns. Charles, his mother Stephanie, his wife Rachel, and other family members continue to be involved with the family charity. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. According to tax filings, the Bernheim Foundation funds grantmaking related to the arts, education, health, human services, humanitarian, and Jewish causes.

Grants for Arts and Culture, Higher Education, Public Health and Access, Jewish Causes, and Community Development

The Bernheims steadily support Sarah Lawrence College. Not only did Stephanie graduate from the school but so did Rachel. As well, Rachel is founder and chair of the human rights organization Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States, which bears the name of Raoul Wallenberg, a humanitarian who saved tens of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Stephanie is also a lifelong artist, which appears to influence the family's interest in a range of arts organizations.

Past grantees have included NY Botanical Garden, Young Concert Artists, Whitney Museum, Met Opera, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Fieldston School, Center for Hearing & Communication, City Harvest, International Rescue Committee, and Congregation Emanu-El.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $50 to $20,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $156,000. The Bernheim Foundation keeps a low-profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. 

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Bernheim Foundation
c/o Charles Bernheim
33 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021