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A&L Berg Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.1M

A&L Berg Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $732,139
  • Grant Range: $100,000+ (Artist Social Impact Grant) + fellowship stipends
  • Geographic Focus: United States (national)
  • Application Method: Nomination/invitation only - no public application process
  • Total Assets: $10.9 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.albergfoundation.org
Email: info@albergfoundation.org
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Overview

The A&L Berg Foundation was established in 2023 by art collectors and philanthropists Allison K. Berg and Larry Berg with a mission to "expand narratives in the United States visual arts." With total assets of approximately $10.9 million and annual charitable disbursements exceeding $732,000, the foundation operates through two flagship programs: the Early Stage Arts Professionals (ESAP) Fellowship, which provides comprehensive support to early-career curators, educators, and administrators, and the Artist Social Impact Grant, an annual $100,000 award for visual artists working on transformative community-driven projects. Under the leadership of inaugural Executive Director Carolyn Ramo, former head of Artadia, the foundation emphasizes systemic change, equity in career pathways, and holistic support for individuals who can leverage change throughout their institutions and communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Early Stage Arts Professionals (ESAP) Fellowship

  • Annual cohort of 6 fellows
  • 10-month fellowship program with unrestricted financial grant
  • Includes mentorship, workshops, and international research travel
  • Selection: Nomination-based only by jury of arts professionals
  • Current focus: Latinx/e arts professionals

Artist Social Impact Grant

  • Annual award: $100,000
  • Supports visual artists at the outset of social and community-driven projects
  • Selection: Invitation/selection-based (no public application process)
  • First recipient (2023): Lauren Halsey for Summaeverythang Community Center

Priority Areas

  • Systemic change in the visual arts ecosystem
  • Equity and access in career pathways for underrepresented communities
  • Early-stage professionals in curating, arts education, and administration
  • Artist-led social practice and community-driven projects
  • Latinx/e arts professionals (current strategic focus)

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications or nominations
  • Projects outside the United States visual arts sector

Governance and Leadership

Allison K. Berg, Co-Founder and President

  • Former union-side labor lawyer
  • Active trustee at LACMA and leadership roles at multiple major museums
  • Producer of "The Art of Making It" documentary
  • Quote: "Our ESAP program is part of a wave of long overdue investment in curators, educators and administrators from communities that are underrepresented in the visual arts system."

Larry Berg, Co-Founder and Treasurer/Secretary

  • Private equity investor
  • Chairman of McGraw-Hill Education, Crisis Text Line, and 2U
  • Lead managing owner of Los Angeles Football Club

Carolyn Ramo, Inaugural Executive Director

  • Former Executive Director of Artadia (11 years)
  • Co-founder of Artist Relief COVID-19 fund
  • Quote: "Our premise is that by supporting and empowering individuals...we can help these leaders leverage change throughout their institutions and their communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation operates on a selective, invitation-based model:

  • ESAP Fellowship: Nomination-based only through expert national panel
  • Artist Social Impact Grant: Selection-based through foundation's own research
  • General funding: "Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations"

Getting on Their Radar

For ESAP Fellowship candidates:

  • Build visibility within the curatorial and arts administration community
  • Engage with senior leaders at major institutions who may serve as nominators
  • Foundation partners with guest program directors who influence selection

For Artist Social Impact Grant candidates:

  • Develop visibility in Los Angeles arts community (strong LA connection through founders)
  • Participate in exhibitions at institutions where the Bergs serve on boards (LACMA, The Met, Tate)
  • Create projects combining artistic practice with sustainable community impact

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application factors don't apply. Key alignment characteristics include:

For ESAP Fellowship:

  • Early-stage professionals in visual arts
  • Current focus on Latinx/e curators, educators, and administrators
  • Demonstrated commitment to expanding narratives and diverse perspectives
  • Potential to create systemic change within institutions

For Artist Social Impact Grant:

  • Visual artists working at intersection of art and social practice
  • Projects with sustainable, scalable community impact models
  • Strong connection to underserved communities
  • Focus on systemic change rather than one-time interventions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - Foundation operates through nomination and invitation only
  • Focus on visibility in the field - Building recognition within visual arts community essential
  • Current strategic focus on Latinx/e professionals - Clear demographic priority for ESAP
  • Emphasis on systemic change - Interest in long-term structural impact over isolated projects
  • Strong Los Angeles connection - Both founders based in LA with deep ties to LACMA
  • Boutique model - Only 6 ESAP fellows and 1 Artist Social Impact Grant annually
  • Holistic support approach - Emphasis on unrestricted support and professional development beyond just funding

References

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