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Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation A Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$11.0M
Grant Range
$15K - $2.8M

Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation A Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11 million (fiscal year 2024)
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $2,800,000
  • Average Grant: $50,000
  • Total Assets: $256 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: United States, Latin America, Caribbean, and 9 East African countries (Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan)
  • Annual Grants: 20-30 grants per year to approximately 65 projects spanning 20 countries

Contact Details

Address:
P.O. Box 520
Palo Alto, CA 94302-0520

Phone: (650) 323-0596

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website or public online presence.

Overview

The Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation was established in 1982 by Erik and Edith Bergstrom, and was restructured as a charitable trust in 2002. With assets of $256 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $11 million, this private foundation operates with a staff of seven employees led by Executive Director Ann Rebecca Shulman. The foundation conducts quiet, strategic grantmaking based on the belief that "human well-being, economic development, environmental protection and slowing population growth are inextricably connected." Erik Bergstrom, who founded the investment company Bergstrom Capital Corporation, was described as possessing "a deep sense of purpose" alongside being "warm, loyal, and analytical" - qualities that informed the foundation's strategic approach. The foundation's philanthropic vision centers on "leaving a planet to future generations where the population is in balance with the resources on which we all depend." Following Erik Bergstrom's passing in 2023, the foundation has continued his legacy of supporting long-term, sustained impact in reproductive health and family planning.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but focuses its giving in three primary areas:

Reproductive Health and Rights (Primary Focus)

  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $2,800,000
  • Average: $50,000
  • Supports organizations working on access to contraceptives and safe abortion services
  • Includes both large international organizations and grassroots NGOs
  • U.S. grantmaking tends to be more modest (five to six figures), while global grants typically reach six figures

Conservation and Economic Development (Secondary Focus)

  • Grant amounts vary based on project scope
  • Supports initiatives that connect environmental protection with population sustainability

Higher Education Support (Limited)

  • Includes scholarships at institutions like Whitman College and University of Wyoming
  • Represents a small portion of overall grantmaking

Priority Areas

Geographic Priorities:

  • United States: Local Planned Parenthood chapters and reproductive health organizations
  • Latin America & Caribbean: Regional organizations like International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region, Women's International Network for Guatemalan Solutions, and Asociacion Pro-Bienestar de la Familia de Guatemala
  • East Africa: Programs in Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan

Organizational Types Supported:

  • Large international NGOs (MSI Reproductive Choices, FOS Feminista, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas)
  • Established organizations (One World Children's Fund, Pathfinder International, Population Services International, Population Institute)
  • Growing and grassroots NGOs working regionally or locally
  • Media organizations using entertainment-education approaches (Population Media Center)

Issue Areas:

  • Family planning and contraceptive access
  • Safe abortion services
  • Maternal and child health
  • Nutrition
  • Sexual and gender-based violence prevention
  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene (in context of health programs)
  • Intergenerational communication on reproductive health

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation has not published explicit exclusions, their focused mission suggests they do not support:

  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Projects unrelated to reproductive health, population, conservation, or economic development
  • General operating support for organizations not aligned with family planning goals
  • Capital campaigns or endowment building (not documented as priorities)

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Ann Rebecca Shulman, Executive Director - Compensation: $305,477 (2024)
  • Julia Bolous, Special Advisor - Compensation: $273,229 (2024)
  • Alexis Barab, Program Officer - Compensation: $161,057 (2024)

The foundation operates with a staff of seven employees. Trustee and board member information is not publicly available, consistent with the foundation's private operating approach.

Leadership Philosophy:

The foundation's approach reflects Erik Bergstrom's belief in long-term, sustained impact. According to statements about the foundation's work, they favor strategic partnerships with organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes in reproductive health access. The foundation values both analytical rigor and commitment to environmental stewardship and intergenerational responsibility.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds or proposals.

How Grants Are Awarded:

The foundation identifies and invites organizations through:

  • Trustee and staff discretion based on strategic priorities
  • Long-term partnerships with proven organizations (some grantees have received support for nearly two decades)
  • Proactive identification of organizations working in their priority geographic areas and issue focus
  • Relationships developed through the reproductive health and family planning sector

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations without an existing relationship.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation proactively identifies and invites organizations for continued funding based on performance and strategic alignment.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Already Funded:

Since this foundation operates through invitation-only grantmaking, the following factors appear to influence continued funding based on documented grants:

  1. Long-term Impact Demonstration: Organizations like Population Media Center have received funding for nearly 20 years, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships with proven track records.

  2. Geographic Alignment: Projects must operate in the foundation's priority areas - the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, or the nine specified East African countries.

  3. Evidence-Based Approaches: The foundation supported PMC's work specifically because it increases "acceptance and utilization of reproductive health services" with measurable outcomes.

  4. Innovation in Service Delivery: Funded projects include entertainment-education radio programs (Umurage in Rwanda, Agashi in Burundi) that use creative approaches to reach audiences.

  5. Integration of Multiple Issues: Successful projects address family planning alongside related issues like maternal health, nutrition, and gender-based violence rather than single-issue approaches.

  6. Adaptive Programming: The foundation funded PMC's adaptation of existing radio programs to include COVID-19 prevention messaging, showing they value organizations that respond to emerging needs.

  7. Scale and Reach: The foundation partners with both large international organizations (IPPF, MSI, Pathfinder) and smaller grassroots NGOs, suggesting they value different scales of impact.

  8. Philosophy Alignment: Organizations must align with the foundation's belief that "human well-being, economic development, environmental protection and slowing population growth are inextricably connected."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals - they only fund preselected organizations through invitation.

  • Focus Is Extremely Specific: The foundation has a laser focus on reproductive health and family planning in very specific geographic regions. Organizations outside this scope should not pursue this funder.

  • They Value Long-Term Partnerships: Evidence shows the foundation maintains relationships with grantees for decades, suggesting they prefer sustained engagement over one-time grants.

  • Scale Varies Dramatically: With grants ranging from $15,000 to $2.8 million and an average of $50,000, the foundation funds organizations of all sizes, though international work receives larger awards than U.S.-based projects.

  • Private Foundation Model: Operating without a website or public presence with only seven staff members, this foundation conducts highly strategic, relationship-based grantmaking rather than responding to community-wide RFPs.

  • Staff-Driven Strategy: With experienced program staff including an Executive Director, Special Advisor, and Program Officer, the foundation likely conducts proactive research to identify potential grantees rather than waiting for applications.

  • Mission-Driven Legacy: Following founder Erik Bergstrom's passing in 2023, the foundation has committed to continuing his vision of leaving "a planet to future generations where the population is in balance with the resources on which we all depend," suggesting long-term strategic continuity.

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Erik E And Edith H Bergstrom Foundation A Charitable Trust. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/912155835 (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  2. Inside Philanthropy - Erik and Edith Bergstrom Foundation profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-b/erik-and-edith-bergstrom-foundation (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  3. Population Media Center - "PMC Announces Two New Funding Awards from The Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation." https://www.populationmedia.org/the-latest/pmc-announces-two-new-funding-awards-from-the-erik-e-and-edith-h-bergstrom-foundation (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  4. Population Media Center - "Celebrating Erik Bergstrom." https://www.populationmedia.org/stories/celebrating-erik-bergstrom (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  5. Grantmakers.io Profile - Erik E and Edith H Bergstrom Foundation A Charitable Trust. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/912155835-erik-e-and-edith-h-bergstrom-foundation-a-charitable-trust/ (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  6. Instrumentl - Erik E And Edith H Bergstrom Foundation A Charitable Trust 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/erik-e-and-edith-h-bergstrom-foundation-a-charitable-trust (Accessed December 17, 2025)

  7. Cause IQ - Erik E. and Edith H. Bergstrom Foundation a Charitable Trust profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/erik-e-and-edith-h-bergstrom-foundation-a-charitab,912155835/ (Accessed December 17, 2025)

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