Steven and Ilene Berger Family Foundation Grant

The Steven and Ilene Berger Family Foundation offers a grant program aimed at supporting organizations that provide services for children and individuals who are disabled or indigent. The foundation's core mission is to empower people to live "better, longer and more meaningful lives," and it actively seeks to promote and support philanthropic values and causes that align with its sensibilities. Through this grant program, the foundation strategically partners with ambitious and results-driven recipients, with the ultimate hope that the positive impacts of their philanthropy will be evident within the lifetimes of those who benefit from the grants. The average grant size ranges from $2,500 to $50,000, with individual grants potentially going up to $100,000, indicating a flexible approach to funding based on the scope and needs of the projects. The program's target beneficiaries are explicitly defined as children and individuals who are disabled or indigent. The foundation's impact goals are centered around creating tangible, positive changes in the lives of these populations. Geographically, the foundation primarily focuses its support on organizations situated in Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, demonstrating a commitment to local community impact. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code. The foundation places a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes, expecting genuine quantitative feedback from recipients to clearly ascertain, understand, and evaluate the benefits realized from the grants. This requirement highlights a results-driven approach and a desire for accountability in its philanthropic efforts. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are underpinned by several key criteria for grant recipients. These include passion, where recipients are expected to demonstrate devotion to their cause; collaboration, emphasizing the importance of working with others to achieve goals; and impact, with a preference for philanthropy that has significant meaning in achieving the recipient's objectives. While not an essential criterion, leverage is also considered, as the foundation endeavors to maximize the benefit of every dollar, though a grant may also be based on gratitude. The program areas supported by the foundation are Education, Health, and Public/Society Benefit, reflecting a broad but focused approach to improving well-being and opportunity within its target communities. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in organizations that embody these criteria and serve the specified populations, it can contribute to systemic improvements in the lives of children and disabled or indigent individuals. The expectation of quantitative feedback is central to its strategic oversight, allowing the foundation to assess the effectiveness of its grants and continually refine its philanthropic approach. It does not typically fund requests for deficit financing, construction or renovations to real estate not owned by the charitable entity, salaries, or professional fundraiser fees, ensuring that its resources are directed towards direct program implementation and measurable outcomes. This selective funding strategy reinforces its commitment to impactful, well-managed initiatives.