The Bernard Family Foundation concentrates its giving into a small number of mid-sized grants that support Jewish religious and educational organizations alongside cultural institutions. Most funding goes to a few repeat or prominent grantees rather than a wide array of nonprofits, indicating a focused, relationship-driven approach. Grants combine support for local Jewish life (religious services and Jewish education/awareness) with targeted support for museums and cultural preservation.
Concentrated portfolio: a handful of mid-size grants ($25k–$41k) to a small number of organizations, including repeat funding to at least one museum. Emphasis on sustained relationships rather than many one-off small gifts.
Chabad of Nashville, Center for Jewish Awareness, New Museum at Bradford Brinton
A $41,000 grant to Chabad of Nashville is the largest recent award on file for The Bernard Family Foundation C/o Thomas E Bernard, and it sets the tone for a portfolio that centers Jewish religious life, Jewish education, and selected cultural institutions. The foundation’s giving is concentrated in a small set of mid-sized grants rather than many small awards, with repeat support showing up across years for several recipients. In Nashville, the foundation backed organizations tied to congregational life and Jewish community programming, including Chabad of Nashville, Center for Jewish Awareness, Jewish Federation of Nashville, and The Temple Endowment Fund. Beyond Jewish organizations, it has also supported museums and preservation-oriented institutions, including New Museum at Bradford Brinton in Big Horn, Wyoming. The pattern suggests a funder that makes targeted general-purpose or exempt-purpose grants to organizations it already knows, with the same recipient sometimes appearing in multiple years and in more than one amount. Recent grants also extend to educational and community-based nonprofits in Tennessee, Wyoming, North Carolina, and a few other states, but the main thread remains a focused set of religious, educational, and cultural beneficiaries.
Jewish congregational support is a clear through line. The Bernard Family Foundation C/o Thomas E Bernard gave $41,000 to Chabad of Nashville for exempt purpose, and also awarded $10,000 to Jewish Federation of Nashville and $25,000 to Center for Jewish Awareness, both in Nashville. Educational and awareness-oriented work appears alongside congregational support: Roane State Foundation received $3,000 in 2024, and Avid - a Vision in Darkness received $5,000 in 2023. The foundation also funds museums and preservation-related institutions. New Museum at Bradford Brinton received $20,000 in 2023 and another $20,000 in 2024, while Sheridan Community Land Trust received $3,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Other supported organizations include Eagle's Nest Foundation in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, and Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado.
Typical grants sit in a mid-sized band: the 25th percentile is $2,750, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent record shows repeat grants to the same organizations across years, including New Museum at Bradford Brinton, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation, Eagle's Nest Foundation, Sheridan Community Land Trust, Saddle Up, Proclaiming Justice to the Nations Inc, and Age Well Middle Tn. That points to a relationship-based pattern rather than one-off giving. The foundation is structured as a family foundation, funds only organizations rather than individuals, and does not make program-related investments.
$110K
$1.5M
$97K
$124K
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Giving is regional and weighted toward Tennessee, which accounts for 54% of grants by recipient location. Nashville appears repeatedly, with additional Tennessee recipients in Franklin and Harriman. Outside Tennessee, grants land in Wyoming cities and towns including Big Horn, Lander, and Sheridan, plus recipients in North Carolina, Colorado, Vermont, and New York. By state count, North Carolina is the top recipient state, reflecting the concentration of grants to organizations in Pisgah Forest.
The recent record centers on Jewish religious and educational organizations, along with selected cultural and preservation institutions. Examples include Chabad of Nashville, Center for Jewish Awareness, Jewish Federation of Nashville, New Museum at Bradford Brinton, and Sheridan Community Land Trust.
The grant-size profile is mid-market: 25th percentile $2,750, median $5,000, and 75th percentile $10,000. Recent awards also include larger grants such as $41,000 to Chabad of Nashville and $25,000 to Center for Jewish Awareness.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once, including New Museum at Bradford Brinton in 2023 and 2024, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation in 2023 and 2024, Eagle's Nest Foundation in 2023 and 2024, and Sheridan Community Land Trust in 2023 and 2024.
Most grants go to recipients in Tennessee, which represents 54% of grants by recipient location. Nashville is the most common city in the recent grants, with additional Tennessee awards in Franklin and Harriman.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHABAD OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $37,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON | BIG HORN, WY | $19,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE FEDERATION | LANDER, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYO THEATER INC | SHERIDAN, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AT EASE HORSEMANSHIP | SHERIDAN, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY IN WYOMING | LANDER, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, CO | $3,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| VISTA 360 INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER | MONTGOMERY, AL | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH - NO KID HUNGRY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AGE WELL MIDDLE TN | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK LATINOS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| HERB SOCIETY OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SHERIDAN VAMC | SHERIDAN, WY | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CHABAD OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $36,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON | BIG HORN, WY | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF CHABAD | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PROCLAIMING JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS INC | FRANKLIN, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE FEDERATION | LANDER, WY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FERRIS FOUNDATION | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYO WEST WARRIOR FOUNDATION | SHERIDAN, WY | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY IN WYOMING | LANDER, WY | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PERC INC | GRAND ISLE, VT | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYO THEATER INC | SHERIDAN, WY | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EAGLE'S NEST FOUNDATION | PISGAH FOREST, NC | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CHABAD OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $41,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON | BIG HORN, WY | $20,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE FEDERATION | LANDER, WY | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EAGLE'S NEST FOUNDATION | PISGAH FOREST, NC | $3,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SHERIDAN COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | SHERIDAN, WY | $3,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ROANE STATE FOUNDATION | HARRIMAN, TN | $3,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, CO | $3,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SADDLE UP | FRANKLIN, TN | $2,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PROCLAIMING JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS INC | FRANKLIN, TN | $2,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AGE WELL MIDDLE TN | NASHCILLE, TN | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR JEWISH AWARENESS | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON | BIG HORN, WY | $20,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OPERATIONS PROJECT HUMANITY INC (EXECUTIVE MARTIAL ARTS) | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AVID - A VISION IN DARKNESS | BRENTWOOD, TN | $5,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GROUND ZERO 360 INC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BIG HORN EQUESTRIAN CENTER | SHERIDAN, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WYOMING WILDLIFE FEDERATION | LANDER, WY | $5,000 | 2023 | TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
CHABAD OF NASHVILLE
$37,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON
$19,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WYO THEATER INC
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AT EASE HORSEMANSHIP
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATURE CONSERVANCY IN WYOMING
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
VISTA 360 INC
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AGE WELL MIDDLE TN
$2,500TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK LATINOS
$2,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
HERB SOCIETY OF NASHVILLE
$1,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SHERIDAN VAMC
$1,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CHABAD OF NASHVILLE
$36,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON
$20,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF CHABAD
$10,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WYO WEST WARRIOR FOUNDATION
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATURE CONSERVANCY IN WYOMING
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PERC INC
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WYO THEATER INC
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
EAGLE'S NEST FOUNDATION
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CHABAD OF NASHVILLE
$41,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON
$20,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
EAGLE'S NEST FOUNDATION
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ROANE STATE FOUNDATION
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
$3,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AGE WELL MIDDLE TN
$1,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
CENTER FOR JEWISH AWARENESS
$25,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NEW MUSEUM AT BRADFORD BRINTON
$20,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OPERATIONS PROJECT HUMANITY INC (EXECUTIVE MARTIAL ARTS)
$10,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AVID - A VISION IN DARKNESS
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
GROUND ZERO 360 INC
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BIG HORN EQUESTRIAN CENTER
$5,000TO FULFILL EXEMPT PURPOSE