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Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 94-2506257

The Bernard Osher Foundation

A private foundation in San Francisco, CA. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 132 grants and $3.6 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Jeanie Hirokane
One Market Plaza Steuart Towerste, 1000
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 677-5927
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

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2024

    $3,622,500

    Grants listed
    132
    Assets, end of year
    $28,343,012

  • Tax year 2023

    $12,034,505

    Grants listed
    145
    Assets, end of year
    $31,589,307

  • Tax year 2022

    $8,155,500

    Grants listed
    127
    Assets, end of year
    $35,195,679

  • Tax year 2021

    $24,594,638

    Grants listed
    156
    Assets, end of year
    $47,238,965

  • Tax year 2020

    $7,126,750

    Grants listed
    3
    Assets, end of year
    $73,331,423

  • Tax year 2019

    $8,385,572

    Grants listed
    4
    Assets, end of year
    $42,514,211

  • Tax year 2018

    $12,386,750

    Grants listed
    4
    Assets, end of year
    $27,794,979

Grants paid in 2024

132 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Northwestern University - NRCChicago, IL

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $119,000
  2. San Francisco SymphonySan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $115,000
  3. Asian Art MuseumSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  4. UCSF Community Care FundSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  5. Regents of University of California BerkeleyBerkeley, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  6. California Academy of SciencesSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  7. The ExploratoriumSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  8. Fine Arts Museum of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  9. KqedSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  10. San Francisco BalletSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $100,000
  11. San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $100,000
  12. Summer SearchOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $85,000
  13. Academic Consortium for Integrative Health Medicine and HealthLake Oswego, OR

    Integrative medicine

    $75,000
  14. American Conservatory TheaterSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $75,000
  15. Berkeley Repertory TheatreBerkeley, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $75,000
  16. Oakland Museum of CaliforniaOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $75,000
  17. The Contemporary Jewish MuseumSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $75,000
  18. Regents of University of California BerkeleyBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $75,000
  19. Commonwealth Club of CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $60,000
  20. Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL

    Arts and humanities

    $60,000
  21. California Film InstituteSan Rafael, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $50,000
  22. Human Rights Watch IncNew York, NY

    Arts and humanities

    $50,000
  23. San Francisco Food BankSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $50,000
  24. Chronicle Season of Sharing FundSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $50,000
  25. Oakland SymphonyOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $46,000
  26. San Francisco PerformancesSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $42,500
  27. Margaret Jenkins Dance CompanySan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $42,000
  28. Northwestern University - NRCChicago, IL

    Osher national conference

    $39,000
  29. University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $35,000
  30. Stern Grove Festival AssociationSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $35,000
  31. Bay Area Discovery MuseumSausalito, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $30,000
  32. City Arts and LecturesSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $30,000
  33. Regents of the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  34. Towson University FoundationTowson, MD

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  35. University of Connecticut Foundation IncStorrs, CT

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  36. Colorado State University FoundationFort Collins, CO

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  37. Widener UniversityChester, PA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  38. University of North Texas FoundationDenton, TX

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  39. Washington University in St LouisSt Louis, MO

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  40. Regents of the University of California (UC Riverside)Berkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  41. Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  42. Curators of the University of MissouriColumbia, MO

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  43. The University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  44. San Francisco Shakespeare FestivalSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  45. Bread & Roses PresentsCorte Madera, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  46. Merola Opera ProgramSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  47. Etc Environmental Traveling CompanionSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $25,000
  48. University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  49. Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $25,000
  50. Ringling College of Art and Design IncSarasota, FL

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  51. Bismarck State College FoundationBismarck, ND

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  52. University of South DakotaSioux Falls, SD

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  53. The University Corporation San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  54. Csu Channel Islands FoundationCamarillo, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  55. University of OklahomaNorman, OK

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  56. Campanile FoundationSan Diego, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  57. Csu Fresno FoundationFresno, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  58. San Francisco Jazz OrganizationSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  59. Conservation Society of California DBA Oakland ZooOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $25,000
  60. Magic Theatre IncSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $22,000
  61. Community Music CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $20,000
  62. Alonzo King Lines BalletSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $18,500
  63. Kala Art InstituteBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $18,000
  64. 826 ValenciaSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $16,000
  65. Alameda Emergency FoodAlameda, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $16,000
  66. Marin Theatre CompanyMill Valley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $15,000
  67. Aurora Theatre CompanyBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $15,000
  68. Felton InstituteAlameda, CA

    Environmental education

    $15,000
  69. San Francisco PlayhouseSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $15,000
  70. San Francisco Girls ChorusSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $15,000
  71. Odc DanceSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $15,000
  72. The Marine Mammal CenterSausalito, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $15,000
  73. CuriodysseySan Mateo, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $14,500
  74. SfcoSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $14,000
  75. Headlands Center for the ArtsSausalito, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $13,000
  76. New Performance Traditions -Paul Dresher EnsembleOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $13,000
  77. San Francisco Film SocietySan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $13,000
  78. California Jazz ConservatoryBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $12,500
  79. Yerba Buena Arts & EventsSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $11,000
  80. Young Audiences of Northern CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $11,000
  81. PlaygroundBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $10,000
  82. San Francisco Chanticleer IncSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $10,000
  83. Old First Center for the ArtsSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $10,000
  84. Kronos Performing Arts AssociationSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $10,000
  85. Performing Arts Workshop IncSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $10,000
  86. Pocket OperaSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $9,000
  87. Noe Valley Chamber MusicSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $9,000
  88. Mill Valley PhilharmonicMill Valley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,500
  89. San Francisco Boys ChorusSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,500
  90. San Francisco Contemporary Music PlayersSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  91. Pierre Monteux Memorial FoundationHancock, ME

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  92. Groceries for SeniorsSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  93. Outward Bound CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  94. New Century Chamber OrchestraSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  95. Citybridge Laguna HondaMountain View, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $8,000
  96. Joe Goode Performance GroupSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,500
  97. New Conservatory Theater CenterSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,500
  98. The Threepenny ReviewBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,500
  99. San Francisco Botanical Garden SocietySan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,500
  100. Pickleberry Pie IncCheltenham, PA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,000
  101. Friends of the Oakland Public LibraryOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $7,000
  102. Chamber Music San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,500
  103. Pacific Chamber OrchestraLafayette, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,500
  104. Litquake FoundationSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,500
  105. Freight & SalvageBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,500
  106. Exit TheatreArcata, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,000
  107. Sunset Youth OrchestraSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,000
  108. Narrative MagazineSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $6,000
  109. San Francisco Gay Men's ChorusSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,000
  110. Dancers GroupSan Francisco, CA

    Lifelong learning institutes

    $6,000
  111. Piedmont ChoirsOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $6,000
  112. Shotgun PlayersBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,500
  113. Oakland Ballet CompanyOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,500
  114. West Edge OperaBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,500
  115. Shotgun PlayersBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,500
  116. Cazadero Performing Arts CampBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,500
  117. California Bach SocietySanta Clara, CA

    Environmental education

    $5,000
  118. Theatre Flamenco of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  119. Central WorksBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  120. Crowded Fire Theater CompanySan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  121. Dancers GroupSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  122. Playwrights Foundation IncSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $5,000
  123. San Francisco Arts Education ProjectSan Francisco, CA

    Environmental education

    $5,000
  124. Z Space StudioSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  125. Peninsula Youth OrchestraSan Carlos, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  126. Save the BayOakland, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  127. Earth Island InstituteBerkeley, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $5,000
  128. San Francisco Museum of Craft & DesignSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $4,500
  129. San Francisco International Arts FestivalSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $4,000
  130. VoltiSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $4,000
  131. Left Coast Chamber Ensemble IncSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $4,000
  132. Epiphany Dance TheaterSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $3,500

Approved for future payment

3 grants

Approved in 2024 and not yet paid.

  1. Northwestern University - NRCChicago, IL

    Osher national conference

    $7,000,000
  2. Academic Consortium for Integrative Health Medicine and HealthLake Oswego, OR

    Arts and humanities

    $75,000
  3. Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & ChoraleSan Francisco, CA

    Arts and humanities

    $50,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Arts and culture57 grants $1,436,00070% of the total
  2. Education10 grants $256,00012% of the total
  3. Jobs and employment1 grant $85,0004% of the total
  4. Food and agriculture3 grants $74,0004% of the total
  5. Human services2 grants $65,0003% of the total
  6. International aid1 grant $50,0002% of the total
  7. 5 other causes9 grants $85,0004% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. California110 grants $2,889,500
  2. Illinois3 grants $218,000
  3. Oregon1 grant $75,000
  4. Missouri2 grants $50,000
  5. New York1 grant $50,000
  6. Texas2 grants $50,000
  7. Pennsylvania2 grants $32,000
  8. Alabama1 grant $25,000
  9. Colorado1 grant $25,000
  10. Connecticut1 grant $25,000

Officers, directors and trustees

11 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Mary BittermanPRESIDENT Hours 40Pay $368,347
  • Jeanie HirokaneSECRETARY Hours 40Pay $115,500
  • Barbro OsherCHAIRMAN Hours 1Pay $0
  • Bernard OsherTREASURER Hours 15Pay $0
  • David AggerDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $400
  • Phyllis CookDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Robert FriendDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • John GalloDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $400
  • Laura LauderDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $400
  • John PritzkerDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Kris MarneyCFO Hours 5Pay $0

The return

More foundations

Similar foundations

Same main cause (arts and culture), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. The Nora Eccles Treadwell FoundationSan Francisco, CA 41 grants Preselected only $4,120,300 giving
  2. Craig Newmark FoundationSan Francisco, CA 7 grants Preselected only $4,650,000 giving
  3. CockayneSan Francisco, CA 7 grants Preselected only $2,539,875 giving
  4. The William G Gilmore FoundationSan Francisco, CA 80 grants Accepts applications $2,270,000 giving
  5. The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia FoundationSan Francisco, CA 125 grants Accepts applications $2,252,500 giving