The Bernard Osher Foundation
Historical FunderSan Francisco, California · EIN 94-2506257 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$3.6M
Organizations funded132
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$27.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $7,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | JEANIE HIROKANE |
|---|---|
| Address | ONE MARKET PLAZA STEUART TOWERSTE, 1000, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105 |
| Phone | 4156775927 |
| Form and materials | THERE IS NO REQUIRED FORMAT, HOWEVER, THE APPLICANT MUST SHOW FINANCIAL NEED AND INDICATE THAT THEY ARE A QUALIFIED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. |
| Deadlines | NONE |
| Restrictions | NONE |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
16% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University - Nrc | Chicago, IL | Lifelong learning institutes | $119,000 |
| San Francisco Symphony | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $115,000 |
| Asian Art Museum | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| Ucsf Community Care Fund | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| Regents of University of California Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| California Academy of Sciences | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| The Exploratorium | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| Kqed | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| San Francisco Ballet | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $100,000 |
| San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $100,000 |
| Summer Search | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $85,000 |
| Academic Consortium for Integrative Health Medicine and Health | Lake Oswego, OR | Integrative medicine | $75,000 |
| American Conservatory Theater | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $75,000 |
| Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Berkeley, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $75,000 |
| Oakland Museum of California | Oakland, CA | Arts and humanities | $75,000 |
| The Contemporary Jewish Museum | San Francisco, CA | Environmental education | $75,000 |
| Regents of University of California Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Arts and humanities | $75,000 |
| Commonwealth Club of California | San Francisco, CA | Lifelong learning institutes | $60,000 |
| Northwestern University | Chicago, IL | Arts and humanities | $60,000 |
| California Film Institute | San Rafael, CA | Arts and humanities | $50,000 |
| Human Rights Watch Inc | New York, NY | Arts and humanities | $50,000 |
| San Francisco Food Bank | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $50,000 |
| Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $50,000 |
| Oakland Symphony | Oakland, CA | Arts and humanities | $46,000 |
| San Francisco Performances | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $42,500 |
| Margaret Jenkins Dance Company | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $42,000 |
| Northwestern University - Nrc | Chicago, IL | Osher national conference | $39,000 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Arts and humanities | $35,000 |
| Stern Grove Festival Association | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $35,000 |
| Bay Area Discovery Museum | Sausalito, CA | Arts and humanities | $30,000 |
| City Arts and Lectures | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $30,000 |
| Regents of the University of California | Berkeley, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Towson University Foundation | Towson, MD | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| University of Connecticut Foundation Inc | Storrs, CT | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Colorado State University Foundation | Fort Collins, CO | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| Widener University | Chester, PA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| University of North Texas Foundation | Denton, TX | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| Washington University in St Louis | St Louis, MO | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Regents of the University of California (UC Riverside) | Berkeley, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| Curators of the University of Missouri | Columbia, MO | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| The University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Shakespeare Festival | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Bread & Roses Presents | Corte Madera, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Merola Opera Program | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Etc Environmental Traveling Companion | San Francisco, CA | Environmental education | $25,000 |
| University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN | Lifelong learning institutes | $25,000 |
| Ringling College of Art and Design Inc | Sarasota, FL | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Bismarck State College Foundation | Bismarck, ND | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| University of South Dakota | Sioux Falls, SD | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| The University Corporation San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Csu Channel Islands Foundation | Camarillo, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| University of Oklahoma | Norman, OK | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Campanile Foundation | San Diego, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Csu Fresno Foundation | Fresno, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Jazz Organization | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Conservation Society of California Dba Oakland Zoo | Oakland, CA | Arts and humanities | $25,000 |
| Magic Theatre Inc | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $22,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 132 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University - Nrc | Chicago, IL | Osher national conference | $7,000,000 |
| Academic Consortium for Integrative Health Medicine and Health | Lake Oswego, OR | Arts and humanities | $75,000 |
| Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale | San Francisco, CA | Arts and humanities | $50,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,622,500 | 135 |
| 2023 | $12,034,505 | 162 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 4, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533089349100038
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 94-2506257
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.