THE BERNARD OSHER FOUNDATION

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

SAN FRANCISCO, CAEIN 942506257 Website

Annual Giving

$3.6M-70% YoY

Grants

132

Median Grant

$15K

Organizations Funded

135

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Foundation Overview

Mission

seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts

Focus Areas

arts and humanitieslifelong learning institutesreentry scholarshipsintegrative medicineenvironmental educationhigher educationmuseums and cultural institutionsperforming arts

Grant Types

scholarshipsendowmentconference fundingprogram support

Funded Initiatives

Post-secondary scholarships with focus on reentry students; Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on 125 campuses; Integrative Medicine centers at major universities (UCSF, Harvard, Northwestern, etc.); Arts organizations in Northern California and Maine

How to Apply

The Foundation is not accepting new proposals for lifelong learning or integrative health programs. For integrative medicine only, interested parties may submit 2-3 page descriptions for future consideration

Does Not Fund

Does not award funds to students directly; Not accepting unsolicited letters of inquiry or new applications; Not expanding current programs

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024-70%

$3.6M

Grants

132

Median

$15K

States

2023+48%

$12.0M

Grants

145

Median

$18K

States

2022

$8.2M

Grants

127

Median

$15K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$15K

Typical Grant (Median)

$4K

Smallest

$7K

25th Pctile

$25K

75th Pctile

$119K

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $7K and $25K.

Largest Recent Grants

$119K

2024

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - NRC

IL · LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES

$115K

2024

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

CA · LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES

$100K

2024

UCSF COMMUNITY CARE FUND

CA · LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES

$100K

2024

FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO

CA · LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES

$100K

2024

THE EXPLORATORIUM

CA · LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES

Geographic Focus

$2.9M110 grants

$218K3 grants

$75K1 grants

$50K1 grants

$50K2 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$28.3M

$3.6M(12.8%)

2023

$31.6M

$12.0M(38.1%)

2022

$35.2M

$8.2M(23.2%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

Funding follows networks, not keywords

SciRise maps 4.8M+ grants across 16,000+ foundations to identify which ones are most likely to fund organizations like yours — based on who they already fund, not just what they say they fund.

Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.