The Donald Bernstein Family Foundation concentrates its giving on Jewish communal support and targeted health/disability causes. Most of its grant dollars go to Jewish federations and campaigns—supporting designated community needs—while a smaller portion funds organizations addressing specific medical disabilities (spina bifida). Grants are few but sizable, suggesting a preference for making meaningful contributions to established nonprofits rather than many small gifts.
Concentrated, high-dollar gifts to a small number of established organizations; primary emphasis on Jewish communal infrastructure with occasional targeted support for disability-focused nonprofits.
A $55,000 grant to the United Jewish Campaign in 2025 is the largest recent award from the Donald Bernstein Family Foundation and shows the core of its giving: designated support for Jewish communal organizations. The foundation’s recent grants also include $53,000 to Jewish Federation of Nepa in 2023 and $25,000 to Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, indicating a portfolio that combines Jewish community fundraising with targeted disability-related support. The pattern is not broad or diffuse; it is centered on a limited set of organizations, with gifts that often appear to be directed to specific purposes rather than open-ended program grants. Smaller awards reinforce that structure. Jewish Discovery Center, Jewish Family Services, Jewish Federation of Nepa, and Elan Skilled Nursing all appear in the recent grant list, alongside institutions such as the University of Scranton and Valley Forge Military Academy. The result is a funder that supports both community-based Jewish institutions and a few other nonprofits connected to education, culture, and human services. With annual grants of $175,089 and total assets of $1,359,517, the foundation operates at a modest but deliberate scale.
Jewish communal fundraising is the foundation’s clearest area of support. In 2025, it gave $10,000 to Jewish Discovery Center in Clarks Summit and $500 to Jewish Family Services in Scranton, both marked to further designated work of organizations. The same pattern appears with Jewish Federation of Nepa, which received $53,000 in 2023 and another $250 in 2025. Disability-related giving is present as a separate line of work. The foundation awarded $25,000 to Spina Bifida of Jacksonville in 2023, also for designated work. Its recent list also includes educational and community institutions. Valley Forge Military Academy received $2,500 in both 2023 and 2025, while the University of Scranton and Scranton Cultural Center each received $250 in 2025. These gifts show a mix of Jewish, disability, education, and local civic support.
Typical grants are small, even though a few awards are much larger: the 25th percentile is $41, the median is $65, and the 75th percentile is $238. The recent record shows both repeat recipients and one-time gifts. Jewish Discovery Center, Jewish Federation of Nepa, Jewish Family Services, Elan Skilled Nursing, Valley Forge Military Academy, Broadway Theatre League of Nepa, Scranton Cultural Center, Reba & Art Douglass Relig School, Waverly Community House, and St Joseph's Indian School each appear in multiple years or alongside later repeats, suggesting ongoing relationships with selected nonprofits. The foundation is a family foundation, and the grant descriptions consistently use designated-purpose language.
$77K
$1.4M
$128K
$82K
Most grants fall between $41 and $238, with a median of $65.
25th Percentile
$41
Median
$65
75th Percentile
$238
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Notable grantees: United Jewish Campaign, Jewish Federation of NEPA, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in the United States, with 99 grants to U.S. recipients. Pennsylvania is the main recipient state, accounting for 41% of grants, but the top state by grant count is Rhode Island. Recent recipient cities include Scranton, Clarks Summit, Waverly, and Wayne in Pennsylvania, as well as New York, Jacksonville, Carmel, and New Orleans. That mix points to a local Pennsylvania base with a smaller number of out-of-state gifts.
The foundation’s recent grants center on Jewish communal support and spina bifida-related disability services. Jewish federations, campaigns, and Jewish institutions make up most of the grant list, with additional gifts to organizations such as Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.
The grant-size distribution is small overall: the 25th percentile is $41, the median is $65, and the 75th percentile is $238. That sits alongside a few much larger designated grants, including awards of $55,000 and $53,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Jewish Discovery Center, Jewish Federation of Nepa, Jewish Family Services, Elan Skilled Nursing, Valley Forge Military Academy, Broadway Theatre League of Nepa, Scranton Cultural Center, and Waverly Community House.
Its grants are mostly to U.S. recipients, and Pennsylvania receives 41% of grants. By count, Rhode Island is the top state for recipient locations, while recent Pennsylvania recipients include Scranton, Clarks Summit, Waverly, and Wayne.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED JEWISH CAMPAIGN | NEW YORK, NY | $55,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| JEWISH DISCOVERY CENTER | CLARKS SUMMIT, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS FOUNDATION | CARMEL, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY | WAYNE, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| ELAN SKILLED NURSING (FORMERLY JEWISH HOME) | SCRANTON, PA | $1,800 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | SCRANTON, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WOMENS RESOURCE CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $350 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE | WAVERLY, PA | $300 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| ST JOSEPH'S INDIAN SCHOOL | CHAMBERLAIN, SD | $300 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NEPA | SCRANTON, PA | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE OF NEPA | SCRANTON, PA | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| REBA & ART DOUGLASS RELIG SCHOOL | SCRANTON, PA | $200 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| PROJECT JOY | PALMDALE, CA | $125 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| CLINIC AT SCRANTON PRIMARY | SCRANTON, PA | $125 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| ASPCA | NEW YORK, NY | $120 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| BOYS TOWN | BOYS TOWN, NE | $120 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS | NEW YORK, NY | $108 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND | BALTIMORE, MD | $100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WOUNDED PAW PROJECT | CLIFTON, VA | $100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| NEPA PHILHARMONIC | SCRANTON, PA | $100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SHRINER'S CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | TAMPA, FL | $100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WEINBERG FOOD BANK | PITTSTON, PA | $100 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SMILING DOG FARMS | WHARTON, TX | $80 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| HOOVES & PAWS ANIMAL RESCUE | SUNBURY, PA | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND | YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS | CHICAGO, IL | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| FEEDING PETS OF THE HOMELESS | CARSON CITY, NV | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| ALS ASSOCIATION | BLOOMSBURG, PA | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $75 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS | TRIANGLE, VA | $70 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF PA | NORRISTOWN, PA | $70 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $58 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SECOND CHANCES FOR BLIND DOGS | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| MACULAR DEGENERATION ASSOCIATION | SARASOTA, FL | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| INDRALOKA ANIMAL SANCTUARY | DALTON, PA | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| MSAA | CHERRY HILL, NJ | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| AACA MUSEUM | HERSHEY, PA | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $50 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT | PAINTSVILLE, KY | $40 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| CHINCHILLA HOSE COMPANY | SOUTH ABINGTON, PA | $40 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| VFW | SCRANTON, PA | $38 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| HILLEL | WASHINGTON, DC | $36 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $35 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| AJC | NEW YORK, NY | $30 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $26 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS |
UNITED JEWISH CAMPAIGN
$55,000TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
JEWISH DISCOVERY CENTER
$10,000TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS FOUNDATION
$2,500TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY
$2,500TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
ELAN SKILLED NURSING (FORMERLY JEWISH HOME)
$1,800TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
$500TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
WOMENS RESOURCE CENTER
$500TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
$350TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE
$300TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
ST JOSEPH'S INDIAN SCHOOL
$300TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
$250TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER
$250TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF NEPA
$250TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE OF NEPA
$250TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
REBA & ART DOUGLASS RELIG SCHOOL
$200TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
CLINIC AT SCRANTON PRIMARY
$125TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
BOYS TOWN
$120TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS
$108TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
WOUNDED PAW PROJECT
$100TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
NEPA PHILHARMONIC
$100TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SHRINER'S CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
$100TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
WEINBERG FOOD BANK
$100TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SMILING DOG FARMS
$80TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
HOOVES & PAWS ANIMAL RESCUE
$75TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND
$75TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
ALS ASSOCIATION
$75TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$75TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SECOND CHANCES FOR BLIND DOGS
$50TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER
$50TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
MSAA
$50TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$50TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
AACA MUSEUM
$50TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
CHINCHILLA HOSE COMPANY
$40TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS
VFW
$38TO FURTHER DESIGNATED WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS