H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation accepts requests by invitation only and does not take unsolicited approaches, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; the grant application portal is open only to organisations that receive login information.
- Its stated themes are healthcare, social services and education, and it seeks established nonprofits that help people help themselves, so work outside these areas is less likely to fit.
- Most grants are modest: about 8 in 10 fall between $2,500 and $150,000, and half of its 346 grants to organisations are $20,000 or less, so a request near the $20,000 median is a realistic starting point.
- Repeat giving is significant, with 32% of grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had funded in earlier filings, so a relationship built through invitation matters.
- If you are invited, expect to report how you serve clients and meet grant objectives, and show any collaboration with other agencies, which it encourages.
Overview
H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is a US private foundation based in Palm Desert, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation seeks established nonprofit organisations that help people help themselves, particularly those promoting healthcare, social services and education. It often awards financial and real estate support for educational, health and social-service work, including scholarships, college buildings, hospitals, medical research and other social-service programmes. Its approach is to seek organisations and programmes aligned with the founders’ values, and it encourages collaboration among agencies whenever possible. It describes itself as a catalyst helping others achieve their goals through mutual cooperation, clear goals and steadfast determination. Grant requests are considered when submitted by trustees and staff, not through unsolicited approaches.
Themes
- Healthcare
- Social services
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Michigan and Florida.
How to apply
Organisations that receive login information can use the grant application portal.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 32% 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 346 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation encourages collaboration among agencies whenever possible.
- It expects reports that show how agencies serve and benefit clients or programmes and how grant objectives are being met.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 6%
- The largest single recipient received 34% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 32% of grant dollars went to organisations H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 117 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $15,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Volunteers of America Michigan · 4.784 acre 5 story office building (APN 24-14-201-053)$10,700,0002024 tax year
- Orlando Health Foundation · Comprehensive Care Center at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children$800,0002024 tax year
- Palm Springs Air Museum · the Auen Learning Center$500,0002024 tax year
- Samaritan's Purse · for critical medical care and necessary supplies-including food, water, hygiene kite, health clinics and an emergency field hospital caused by Hurricane Helene$500,0002024 tax year
- Cumberland College · Scholarship Programs$300,0002024 tax year
- First Academy · to complete renovations to the track, scoreboard, lighting, and fencing$250,0002024 tax year
- Palm Springs Air Museum · the Auen Learning Center$250,0002024 tax year
- Pacific Legal Foundation · to support the expanding property rights litigation program in California$250,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Michael Rover — Director / General Counsel
- Michael Stutz — Director
- Joseph Glassett — Vice President CFO
- Joan Kalimanis — Director / Vice President
- Francis Wong — Director
- Douglass Vance — Vice President Real Estate / Director
- Darrell Burrage — Director
- Christopher Mcguire — President / Board Chairman
- Catharine Reed — Vice President Programs / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $36,704,429 | $7,048,687 | $521,352,551 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $39,026,888 | $7,917,582 | $525,026,755 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $45,549,754 | $16,514,846 | $526,728,669 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palm Desert, CA
- hnberger.org
Applying to H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palm Desert, CA
- hnberger.org