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H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $7.3M

H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,917,582 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $489 million
  • Number of Grants: 120 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 – $7,250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Coachella Valley, California; also national reach including Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and other cities
  • Application Method: Invitation only (trustee and staff-initiated)
  • Cumulative Giving: Over $800 million since 1988

Contact Details

  • Website: hnberger.org
  • Phone: (760) 341-5293
  • Coachella Valley Spotlight Program: (760) 773-0342
  • Address: PO Box 13390, Palm Desert, CA 92255-3390

Overview

The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1961 by H.N. "Nor" Berger (an accountant for an oil company) and Frances C. "Fran" Berger (a school teacher). The couple built their wealth through real estate development and banking (founding Prudential Savings and Loan, later Financial Federation) throughout Southern California. With assets of approximately $489 million, the foundation distributed $7.9 million across 120 grants in 2023.

The foundation's guiding philosophy is to support organizations that "help people help themselves." It focuses on established nonprofits promoting healthcare, social services, and education, with particular emphasis on higher education, cultural programs, public health organizations, and hospitals. The foundation also provides significant real estate support to nonprofits, including subsidized office space at its Charitable Center and charitable use of Classic Club golf course. Nor Berger passed away in 1988, and Frances Berger died in 1991.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grant Program (Invitation Only)

  • Range: $1,000 – $7,250,000
  • Focus areas: Healthcare, education, social services
  • Application: Must be initiated by foundation trustees or staff

Coachella Valley Spotlight Grants (Open Application)

  • Amount: $25,000 per organization (12 grants annually, $300,000 total)
  • Partnership with News Channel 3 (KESQ)
  • Includes media coverage across News Channel 3 platforms
  • Over $4 million awarded since 2008

Impact Grants (Selected by Foundation)

  • Amounts: $7,500 – $45,000 (based on recent awards)
  • Partnership with News Channel 3
  • Foundation and media representatives identify deserving nonprofits

Real Estate Support

  • Charitable Center: 60,000 sq. ft. office space in Palm Desert at subsidized rates (includes utilities, maintenance, internet, A/C)
  • Classic Club Golf Course: 75% of rounds discounted for charitable events; supports 50+ charity golf tournaments annually

Priority Areas

  • Higher education and scholarships
  • Hospitals and medical care
  • Public health organizations and medical research
  • Cultural programs and arts
  • Social services
  • Youth programs
  • Organizations serving the Coachella Valley

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests for its core program
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • The foundation does not accept contributions from outside donors

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Christopher M. McGuire – President and Chairman of the Board (since 2019; Director since 1991)
  • Catharine N. Reed – Vice President, Charitable Programs
  • Michael B. Rover – Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
  • Joseph K. Glassett – Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

Board of Directors

  • Christopher M. McGuire (Chairman)
  • Michael B. Rover (Secretary)
  • Catharine N. Reed
  • Joseph K. Glassett (Treasurer)
  • Joan C. Kalimanis
  • Darrell Burrage
  • Francis Wong
  • Michael Stutz

President's Background: Christopher McGuire holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and an MBA from USC. Prior to leading the foundation, he was Owner and President of Arcadia Glass and Mirror Corporation for 16 years and worked in hospital administration at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles for eight years. He succeeded Ronald M. Auen, who led the foundation from 1988-2019.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Core Grant Program (No Public Application) The foundation explicitly states: "The only grant requests that the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will consider are those brought forward by a member of the Foundation Board of Directors." Organizations cannot apply directly for this funding.

Coachella Valley Spotlight Grants (Open Application)

  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tax-exempt schools serving the Coachella Valley
  • How to Apply: Submit application and video through kesq.com (click Coachella Valley Spotlight logo)
  • Timeline: Applications typically open in summer, due early September; recipients announced in December; first honoree featured in January
  • Selection: News Channel 3 Community Advisory Board reviews approximately 100 applications
  • Previous recipients from 2009-2021 are eligible to reapply

Decision Timeline

  • Coachella Valley Spotlight: Applications due September; decisions announced December
  • Core grants: Timeline not publicly disclosed (trustee-initiated)

Reporting Requirements

  • Final report required within six months after receiving funds
  • "Every grant and agency is unique and so are the reporting requirements"
  • Grantees must document how the agency serves clients and meets grant objectives

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation's core grants are initiated by trustees and staff rather than through public applications, organizations seeking funding should consider these approaches:

Real Estate Relationship

  • Apply for subsidized space at the Charitable Center in Palm Desert (13 nonprofits currently leasing space)
  • Current tenants include Alzheimer's Coachella Valley (~8,000 sq. ft.) and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Desert (26-year tenant)
  • Contact: (760) 341-5293

Classic Club Golf Program

  • Partner with Classic Club for charitable golf tournaments
  • The foundation supports 50+ charity events annually at the course

Coachella Valley Spotlight

  • This is the primary open application pathway
  • Apply through KESQ's website when applications open (typically summer)

Build Local Visibility

  • Board members are active in Coachella Valley civic life
  • The foundation has long-standing relationships with healthcare and education institutions in Southern California

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funded projects:

Alignment with "Help People Help Themselves" Philosophy The foundation consistently emphasizes supporting programs that empower individuals to improve their own situations, rather than providing direct handouts. Recent grants have funded:

  • Workforce training equipment (Desert Arc landscape maintenance upgrade - $23,000)
  • Educational programs (Foundation for PSUSD Shoes for Students - $20,000)
  • Self-sufficiency programs (Caravanserai Project's SEED Lab for social impact entrepreneurs)

Established Track Record The foundation explicitly states it "thoughtfully supports established organizations." Organizations with demonstrated history and measurable impact are favored.

Collaboration and Partnerships The foundation "encourages collaboration among agencies whenever possible" and values organizations that work together with others in the community.

Focus Areas for Recent Impact Grants

  • Addiction recovery and fentanyl education (ABC Recovery Center - $45,000)
  • Food security (FIND Food Bank - $25,000)
  • Disability services (Angel View wheelchair van - $35,000; Guide Dogs of the Desert - $25,000)
  • Homelessness (Street Life Project - $7,500)
  • Children's charities (Variety Children's Charity - $40,000)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Primary pathway is relationship-based: The core grant program is invitation-only. Focus on building visibility with foundation board members and staff rather than submitting unsolicited requests.

  2. Apply for Coachella Valley Spotlight: This $25,000 grant program is the main open application opportunity. Applications typically open in summer through kesq.com.

  3. Consider real estate support: The Charitable Center offers substantial value through subsidized office space in Palm Desert. This can be a way to establish a relationship with the foundation.

  4. Emphasize self-sufficiency: Frame your work around helping people help themselves—the foundation's core philosophy since 1961.

  5. Demonstrate established operations: The foundation favors organizations with proven track records, not startups. Show measurable impact and organizational stability.

  6. Coachella Valley connection matters: While the foundation does fund nationally, Coachella Valley organizations have clear advantages for Impact Grants and Coachella Valley Spotlight.

  7. Healthcare, education, social services alignment: These three areas receive the most consistent attention. Projects combining multiple priority areas (e.g., health education for youth) align well with foundation interests.

References

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