Philip & Muriel Berman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,454,008 (2022)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (invitation-only)
• Grant Range: Average $18,049 (varies widely)
• Geographic Focus: Eastern Pennsylvania, Los Angeles, New York, Israel

Contact Details

• Phone: (323) 932-0655
• Mailing Address: PO Box 48558, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0558
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation (EIN: 23-6270983) is a private grant-making foundation established in 1958 with approximately $42 million in assets. Founded by Philip I. Berman (1915-1997) and Muriel M. Berman (1914-2004), prominent American art collectors and philanthropists, the foundation continues their legacy of supporting arts, education, and Jewish causes. Operating from Los Angeles under the leadership of their daughter Nancy Mallin Berman, the foundation distributed $2,454,008 across 65 grants in 2022. The foundation maintains a strong commitment to enhancing arts and arts education, higher education, and Jewish and Israel organizations, with particular emphasis on the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania where the Bermans built their business empire and made significant cultural contributions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through invitation-only grants with no formal programs. In 2022, they made 65 grants totaling $2,454,008, averaging approximately $18,049 per grant.

Priority Areas

• Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts, public sculpture installations
• Higher Education: Universities and educational programs, particularly Jewish studies
• Jewish Organizations: Synagogues, Jewish community organizations, Jewish studies programs
• Healthcare: Hospitals and healthcare organizations
• Israel: Organizations supporting Israeli causes and institutions
• Interfaith Dialogue: Programs promoting cultural understanding and interfaith partnerships

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

President & Executive Director: Nancy Mallin Berman (daughter of founders)

• Serves 25 hours per week
• Former trustee at Lehigh University (2004-2013, now trustee emeritus)

Secretary: Rebecca Bloch

• Serves 35 hours per week

The foundation was established by Philip and Muriel Berman, who were major philanthropists in the Lehigh Valley. Philip served as chairman of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while Muriel was appointed to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 1971. Their philanthropic legacy includes establishing the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College and the Berman Center for Jewish Studies at Lehigh University.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are made on an invitation-only basis, with the foundation identifying and approaching organizations they wish to support.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally for preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations aligned with the foundation's priorities may increase visibility through:

• Geographic alignment: Organizations in Eastern Pennsylvania (particularly Lehigh Valley), Los Angeles, New York, or Israel have stronger alignment
• Mission fit: Clear focus on arts, Jewish causes, higher education, or healthcare
• Existing relationships: Many recipients have long-standing relationships with the foundation
• Cultural significance: Projects with significant cultural or community impact, particularly in areas where the Bermans had personal connections
• Educational component: Programs combining arts with education appear particularly aligned with the foundation's mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The foundation has deep roots in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley despite being based in Los Angeles
• Strong emphasis on Jewish causes, arts/culture, and higher education
• Average grants are around $18,000 but can vary significantly
• The foundation continues the Bermans' legacy of major public art installations and museum support
• Focus on building institutional relationships rather than seeking direct grants
• Organizations in their geographic priority areas have historical advantage

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation Form 990-PF (2022). Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/236270983
• Foundation Directory Online - Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BERM010
• Cause IQ - The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation. Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-philip-and-muriel-berman-foundation,236270983/
• Grantmakers.io - Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/236270983-philip-and-muriel-berman-foundation/
• Lehigh University - Philip and Muriel Berman Center for Jewish Studies History. Accessed February 2026.
• Ursinus College - Berman Museum of Art History. Accessed February 2026.
• SoCal Grantmakers - Organization Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://socalgrantmakers.org/profile/org/1419