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The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$54k
Granted FY2025still arriving
3
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Philanthropy$91kCivil Rights$50kHuman Services$48kReligion$39kCrime & Legal$26kHealth$23kEnvironment$18kYouth Development$17kOther$0
02FY2025 · 3 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $4k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
$2,500
Median grant
3
States reached
$335k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
H U G S FOR HAWAII$50,000
GIRL RISING$2,500
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE ALLIANCE INC$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY19–23, $24k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 96% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%LITTLE LIONS KENYA INC: $4k → 16%OGLALA LAKOTA COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PRO: $1k → 42%ALU LIKE INC: $1k → 9%BOULDER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER: $5k → 12%EMERGENCY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION INC: $10k → 12%EMERGENCY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION INC: $1k → 12%THERE WITH CARE: $1k → 12%THERE WITH CARE: $1k → 12%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

NY
MA
SD
CA
CO
VA
MD
DC
HI
OK
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
04

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 29% of The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address.

The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

38%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$91k · 14 repeat orgs$151k to everyone else

14 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2025, 13 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

14
27

Total granted

$91k
$100k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+13%
+26%

Still filing today

100%
85%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 5% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $51k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesEnvironmentCrime & LegalEducationArts & CultureFood & NutritionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CA
    CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM
    3× · 2021–2023 · $20k · revenue +17%
  • CF
    COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE INC
    2× · 2020–2021 · $15k · revenue +18%
  • 8V
    826 Valencia
    4× · 2019–2023 · $7k · revenue +71%

Funded once

  • HN
    HO'OLA NA PUAgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $20k · revenue +65%
  • BC
    BOULDER COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2020 · $13k · revenue -42%
  • EF
    EMERGENCY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $11k · revenue +105%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Boulder Watershed Collective

The Boulder Watershed Collective is a 501c3 non-profit stakeholder-driven organization established to address forested watershed health,resiliency and stewardship. We have three program areas: ClimateAdaptation and Resilience Watershed…

Environment
2
Rainforest Trust

Rainforest trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.

International
3
Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Greater yellowstone coalition works with all people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the greater yellowstone ecosystem, now and for future generations.

Environment
4
Rocky Mountain Wild

Rocky mountain wild works to protect, connect, and restore wildlife and wild lands in the southern rocky mountain region. we work to secure the biodiversity of the mountains, plains, and desert ecosystems of colorado, wyoming, utah, and…

Environment
5
Aspen Valley Land Trust

Protecting the open land and special places of the roaring fork and middle colorado river valleys for wildlife, agriculture, and community forever.

Environment
6
Colorado Center On Law and Policy

Colorado center on law and policy is an antipoverty organization advancing the rights of every coloradan.

Crime & Legal
7
Asociacion Interamericana Para La Defensa Del Ambiente

To strenghten people's ability to guarantee their individual and collective right to a healthy environment, via the development, implementation, and effective enforcement of national and international law.

Crime & Legal
8
Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Advancing the well-being of all coloradans through relationships free from abuse and oppression.

Human Services
9
Colorado Nonprofit Association

Colorado nonprofit association strengthens colorado's nonprofits through education, connection and advocacy.

Community Improvement
10
Amazon Watch Inc

To protect the rainforest and advance the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin. We partner with Indigenous communities in campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability, and the preservation of the Amazon Basin's…

Environment
11
Conservation Legacy

Conservation legacy engages future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation's lands through community-based service.in 2024, conservation legacy engaged 2,524 participants who completed over 1.5 million service hours on public…

Youth Development
12
Boulder Climbing Community

Stewardship of climbing access areas and climbing access trails.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Community Foundation Boulder County; the most unlike its peers is Sakyadhita Hawaii. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
05the grantee network

43 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 43 of the 46 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
8
Early backer (in before they grew)
41/43
Grantees still filing
29/43
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOULDER COUNTY: $80,000 · PhilanthropyCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOULDER COUNTYJEWISHColorado: $25,000 · PhilanthropyJEWISHColoradoYAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $11,000 · PhilanthropyYAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONH U G S FOR HAWAII: $50,000 · OtherH U G S FOR HAWAIILefthand Fire Protection District: $5,000 · OtherCOACH2EDIFY FOUNDATION: $4,300 · Other826 Valencia: $6,518 · Other826 ValenciaPRISON UNIVERSITY PROJECT INC DBA MOUNT TAMALPAIS COLLEGE: $5,818 · OtherGirl Rising: $10,000 · OtherGirl RisingSAKYADHITA HAWAII: $7,818 · OtherSAKYADHITA HAWAIIKA LAHUI KAI: $5,000 · OtherBOULDER SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS INC: $5,000 · Other+12 more: $18,036 · Other+12 moreHO'OLA NA PUA: $20,000 · Human ServicesHO'OLA NA PUAEMERGENCY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION: $11,000 · Human ServicesEMERGENCY FAMI…THE BOULDER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER: $5,000 · Human ServicesTHE BOULDER JE…LITTLE LIONS KENYA INC: $3,518 · Human ServicesLITTLE LIONS K…THERE WITH CARE: $2,000 · Human Services+3 more: $3,250 · Human Services+3 moreCHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM: $20,000 · Crime & LegalTHE BAIL PROJECT INC: $4,018 · Crime & LegalNative American Heritage Association: $1,000 · Crime & Legal+1 more: $500 · Crime & LegalWilderness Torah: $5,068 · EnvironmentTHE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST: $5,000 · EnvironmentTHE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE: $4,018 · EnvironmentOCEANA INC: $3,018 · EnvironmentSOGOREA TE LAND TRUST: $1,860 · EnvironmentINDIGENOUS CELEBRATION INC: $1,000 · EnvironmentBOULDER COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $12,500 · HealthPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $5,000 · HealthCOMMUNITY FOOD SHARE INC: $15,000 · Food & NutritionCOMMUNITY AGRICULTURE ALLIANCE INC: $1,000 · Food & Nutrition
Philanthropy$116,000Other$117,490Human Services$44,768Crime & Legal$25,518Environment$19,964Health$17,500Food & Nutrition$16,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOULDER COUNTY: $80,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetJEWISHColorado: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM: $20,000 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetHO'OLA NA PUA: $20,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOOD SHARE INC: $15,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBOULDER COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $12,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetEMERGENCY FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION: $11,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetYAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $11,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetGirl Rising: $10,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budget826 Valencia: $6,518 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetPRISON UNIVERSITY PROJECT INC DBA MOUNT TAMALPAIS COLLEGE: $5,818 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetWilderness Torah: $5,068 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetTHE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST: $5,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOULDER SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE BOULDER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetKA LAHUI KAI: $5,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetCOACH2EDIFY FOUNDATION: $4,300 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetTHE BAIL PROJECT INC: $4,018 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE: $4,018 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetLITTLE LIONS KENYA INC: $3,518 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetRAINFOREST ALLIANCE INC: $3,268 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetOCEANA INC: $3,018 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetOperation Second Chance Inc: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPINE RIDGE GIRLS SCHOOL INC: $2,268 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetTHERE WITH CARE: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSOGOREA TE LAND TRUST: $1,860 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPUBLIC BROADCASTING OF COLORADO INC: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ROSEBUD: $1,250 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetOglala Lakota Childrens Justice Center Inc: $1,250 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNative American Heritage Association: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSAFE SHELTER OF ST VRAIN VALLEY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetACCESSURF HAWAII INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBICYCLE COLORADO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetINDIGENOUS CELEBRATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 2.6% of budgetALU LIKE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTREVOR PROJECT INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetiEmpathize: $500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTHE HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Community Foundation …Colorado Gives Founda…Kissinger Family Foun…Tides FoundationGs Donor Advised Phil…Amg Charitable Gift F…The Wolf Family Found…The Longmont Communit…Novo FoundationRose Community Founda…Jewish Community Fede…The Denver Foundation
Community Foundation Boulder CountyCO19.4× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Community Foundation Boulder County · Colorado Gives Foundation · Kissinger Family Foundation Inc · Tides Foundation · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Amg Charitable Gift Foundation · The Wolf Family Foundation · The Longmont Community Foundation · Novo Foundation · Rose Community Foundation · Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma · The Denver Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    13report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Michael & Nancy Berman Family Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 46 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Michael & Nancy Berman Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home