Russell and Jane Stern Charitable Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; the realistic route is a personal introduction or contact that leads to an invitation, and organisations without one should not send an unsolicited request.
- Its grants span education, health, refugee and resettlement services, support for older people, conservation and community organisations, so a request should show a clear link to one of these areas.
- Most grants are modest: about 8 in 10 fall between $150 and $50,000 and the median is $8,000, so a request near the lower end of that band fits best, although the largest grant was $200,000, so the band is typical rather than a ceiling.
- Repeat giving is strong, with 67% of grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had already funded in earlier filings, so existing recipients are the clearest pattern to follow.
- Grants are mainly in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Maryland, but no geographic focus is stated, so location alone should not rule an organisation in or out.
Overview
Russell and Jane Stern Charitable Foundation is a US private foundation based in Stuart, FL.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s grants go to a varied mix of charitable organisations. They include educational institutions and organisations running after-school and summer programmes, diploma courses, scholarships and youth training; refugee and resettlement services; health providers and medical research; organisations supporting older people and people in need; environmental conservation bodies; and libraries and community organisations. The record also includes support for Holocaust survivors and programmes addressing antisemitism. Its recipients range from universities and hospitals to local charities, libraries and conservation groups. The grants therefore span education, health, social welfare, environmental and community activity.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 67% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 86 grants to organisations were $8,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 25% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to organisations Russell and Jane Stern Charitable Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 6% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 31 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- HIAS · To protect refugees whose lives are in danger and help them rebuid their lives$100,0002024 tax year
- Project Lift · High school diploma program in hobe sound$100,0002024 tax year
- Boys & Girls Club of Martin County · To fund after school and summer programs$60,0002024 tax year
- Saint Peter's University · The saint peter fund$53,0002024 tax year
- Council on Aging of Martin County · Kane center - meals on wheels program$50,0002024 tax year
- Banner Lake Club · To support the banner lake community with social and educational support for children$50,0002024 tax year
- House of Hope · To help fund financial assistance for matin county residents$26,0002024 tax year
- Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln House · To support general operating expenses of the organization$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Russell Stern — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $494,797 | $484,715 | $4,521,008 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $519,067 | $512,300 | $6,880,735 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $682,968 | $629,990 | $9,554,802 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Russell and Jane Stern Charitable Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Stuart, FL
Applying to Russell and Jane Stern Charitable Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Stuart, FL