Erik and Edith Bergstrom Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Bergstrom Foundation supports reproductive health in the United States, Latin America and some countries in East Africa. It also makes grants for conservation and economic development.
IP TAKE: Bergstrom supports grassroots and local groups, but larger awards tend to support established, international organizations. This is a great ally of reproductive rights and global development; however, grant seekers will need to network to get on this funder’s radar, since getting through the door of such a low-profile is otherwise challenging.
PROFILE: Established by Erik and Edith Bergstrom in 1982, the Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation is a private foundation that conducts quiet grantmaking without a web presence. The foundation's founder, Erik Bergstrom, also founded the investment company Bergstrom Capital Corporation, and Edith Bergstrom is a successful painter.
Grants for Global Health and Reproductive Rights
The foundation does its grantmaking “based on the belief that human well-being, economic development, environmental protection and slowing population growth are inextricably connected.”
The Erik and Edith Bergstrom Foundation supports organizations that work on “strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights by focusing on access to contraceptives and safe abortion in the United States, Latin America and East Africa.”
Recent grantees include Philanthropic Ventures Foundation for work supporting reproductive health in Uganda, Bolivia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Venezuela and the U.S. Team Success, Inc. also received a grant to support peer education and individual coaching for teen mothers and their children in the U.S. Another reproductive health and rights grantee includes International Planned Parenthood Federation in the Western Hemisphere region for work in Tanzania, Uganda, Bolivia, Guatemala, Paraguay, Venezuela, Argentina and Nicaragua.
Grants for Education
On a smaller scale, this funder also makes grants for education, specifically in higher education, and limited K-12 funding. Previous education grantees include Whitman College to support the Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Scholarship in the U.S., as well as
Important Grant Details:
Bergstrom supports large, established organizations, such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes International.
Grants that support large organizations tend to break the six-figure range. Bergstrom also funds grassroots and local groups. Grants range from about $30,000 to $125,000.
It makes grants of around $6 million annually and funds 65 projects across 20 countries. Tax filings reveal a focus on multiple reproductive health concerns.
Bergstrom does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Erik and Edith Bergstrom Foundation
P.O. Box 520
Palo Alto, California 94302
650-323-0596
