Mr. and Mrs. Berger started their lives together humbly in Santa Barbara, California. From a simple, middle-class beginning, together they built a real estate and banking empire. It was their desire, however, to share their wealth with the less fortunate, particularly those people looking for a “hand up.” Their philanthropy has subsequently helped millions of people throughout the world.

In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Berger established the private family foundation with a mission to “help people help themselves.”

The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation continues to look for nonprofit (registered 501c3) organizations that honor the core values established by Mr. and Mrs. Berger. The founders were particularly interested in programs that benefited education, health and social services. In keeping with that tradition, the Berger Foundation often awards financial and real estate support for scholarships, college buildings and hospitals, medical research and other social service programs. Organizations and programs that “help people help themselves” are of particular interest to the Board of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Believing that partnerships strengthen and enhance communities, the Foundation encourages collaboration among agencies whenever possible.

No.

The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation office is located in Palm Desert, California.

No. At this time, the only grant requests that the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation will consider are those brought forward by a member of the Foundation Board of Directors.

When a grant is awarded, the Foundation details the requirements in the grant award letter as a condition of the grant. Every grant and agency is unique and so are the reporting requirements. The primary purpose of the reports requested is to substantiate how an agency serves and benefits clients or programs on an ongoing basis so that the Board can understand how the objectives of the grant request are being met. Normally, report requests are based on 6 month increments following the funding of the grant, with a final report due upon completion of the program goals.