Building Hope, Transforming Lives
For over 15 years, Berru Charitable Foundation has been a beacon of hope and positive change in communities across the nation. Founded with a vision to create lasting impact through education, faith-based initiatives, and strategic philanthropy, we have grown from a small local organization into a trusted grantmaking foundation that has touched thousands of lives.
Our Mission
To empower individuals and communities through strategic grantmaking, educational support, and faith-based programs that foster dignity, opportunity, and lasting positive change. We believe in the transformative power of compassion combined with action, working tirelessly to address critical needs while building sustainable pathways to success.
Our Vision
A world where every person has access to quality education, spiritual growth, and the resources needed to reach their full potential. We envision communities strengthened by faith, united in purpose, and empowered to create generational change that extends far beyond our direct reach.
Our Core Values
Compassion
We lead with empathy and understanding, recognizing the dignity and potential in every individual we serve.
Integrity
Transparency and accountability guide every decision, ensuring donor trust and responsible stewardship of resources.
Innovation
We embrace creative solutions and evidence-based approaches to maximize our impact and adapt to evolving needs.
Collaboration
Building strong partnerships with communities, organizations, and stakeholders amplifies our collective impact.
Our Journey of Impact
Berru Charitable Foundation was founded in Hackensack, New Jersey, with a commitment to serve communities through education and faith-based initiatives. Our first year focused on building relationships and understanding community needs.
Launched our educational scholarship program, providing financial support to 50 students pursuing higher education. This marked the beginning of our systematic approach to educational philanthropy.
Expanded our faith-based initiatives to support religious education centers, youth programs, and community spiritual development across multiple states, strengthening our commitment to holistic community support.
Reached $5 million in total grants distributed, impacting over 2,000 individuals and families. Established partnerships with 30+ community organizations to extend our reach and effectiveness.
Implemented comprehensive evaluation systems to measure impact and ensure accountability. Launched mentorship programs connecting grant recipients with experienced professionals in their fields.
Responded to emerging community needs by developing targeted support programs for families facing economic challenges, while maintaining our core educational and religious mission.
Celebrated 15 years of service with over $12 million in grants distributed, 5,000+ scholarship recipients, and partnerships with 75+ organizations. Launched new initiatives focused on sustainable community development.
Strengthening our commitment to transparency and impact measurement while expanding programs to reach underserved communities. Investing in long-term partnerships that create sustainable change.
Our Track Record of Success
Over 15 years of dedicated service, Berru Charitable Foundation has maintained an unwavering commitment to excellence and accountability. With a 98% program efficiency rating, we ensure that donor contributions directly support our mission. Our comprehensive evaluation processes and transparent reporting have earned us the trust of donors, partners, and the communities we serve. Every grant we award is carefully vetted, monitored, and evaluated to ensure maximum impact and sustainable outcomes.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Financial Transparency
We maintain rigorous financial standards with annual independent audits, detailed public reporting, and clear documentation of how every dollar is utilized to serve our mission.
Impact Measurement
Our comprehensive evaluation framework tracks outcomes, measures success, and ensures continuous improvement in all programs and initiatives we support.
Ethical Grantmaking
We follow strict ethical guidelines in our grantmaking process, ensuring fair evaluation, conflict-of-interest policies, and equitable distribution of resources.
Community Partnership
We work collaboratively with community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to ensure our programs address real needs and create lasting positive change.
Donor Stewardship
We honor the trust placed in us by donors through careful resource management, regular communication, and demonstrable results that reflect their philanthropic values.
Sustainable Impact
Our programs are designed for long-term success, focusing on capacity building, education, and empowerment that creates generational change.
Looking Forward
As we continue our journey, Berru Charitable Foundation remains dedicated to expanding our reach while deepening our impact. We are committed to innovation in philanthropy, leveraging partnerships, and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Together with our donors, partners, and the communities we serve, we are building a legacy of hope, opportunity, and transformative change that will endure for generations to come.
Our Impact by the Numbers
Leadership Team
Meet the dedicated professionals guiding Berru Charitable Foundation's mission to create lasting impact through educational and religious philanthropy.
Sarah Mitchell
Executive Director
Leading Berru Charitable Foundation with 15+ years of nonprofit leadership experience. MBA from Stanford, BA in Social Work. Oversees foundation operations, grantmaking decisions, and strategic partnerships.
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Dr. Marcus Chen
Director of Educational Programs
PhD in Education Policy from Columbia University. 12 years managing scholarship programs and educational grants totaling over $50 million. Expert in K-12 education reform and higher education access initiatives.
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Rebecca Thompson
Senior Grants Manager
Master's in Nonprofit Management from NYU. 10+ years in grantmaking specializing in religious and community-based initiatives. Manages $25 million annual grant portfolio with expertise in faith-based organizations and interfaith projects.
View Full ProfileRegulatory Compliance & Certifications
Berru Charitable Foundation maintains the highest standards of regulatory compliance and transparency. Our certifications and memberships reflect our commitment to ethical grantmaking and responsible stewardship of charitable resources.
IRS 501(c)(3) Status
Tax-Exempt Organization
Berru Charitable Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
EIN: 87-2945163
Determination Letter Issued: March 2018
State Registration
New Jersey Charitable Registration
Registered with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section, in full compliance with state charitable solicitation laws and annual reporting requirements.
Registration Number: CH-3847200
Current Registration Valid Through: December 2024
GuideStar Platinum Seal
Recognized for transparency and commitment to sharing comprehensive organizational information with the public through Candid's GuideStar platform.
Awarded: 2024
BBB Accredited Charity
Meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability established by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, demonstrating ethical practices and financial transparency.
Accredited Since: 2019
Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating
Achieved the highest rating for financial health, accountability, and transparency. Only 25% of rated charities receive this distinction.
Rating Period: 2024
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
Council on Foundations
Active member since 2019. The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit leadership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations, providing resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for effective philanthropy.
Member ID: COF-2019-8472
Association of Small Foundations
Member since 2020. ASF provides education, networking, and advocacy for foundations with few or no staff, helping us maximize our philanthropic impact through shared knowledge and best practices.
Member Since: 2020
National Council of Nonprofits
Affiliated member committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector through advocacy, collaboration, and sharing of best practices in governance, ethics, and operational excellence.
Affiliated Since: 2018
Grantmakers for Education
Member organization focused on improving educational outcomes through strategic philanthropy. Participation provides access to research, peer learning, and collaborative initiatives in education funding.
Member Since: 2021
Annual Compliance & Reporting
IRS Form 990-PF
Filed annually with complete financial disclosure and grant information. All returns are publicly available and posted on our website within required timeframes.
Independent Audit
Annual financial audit conducted by certified public accountants ensures accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
State Annual Reports
Timely filing of all required state charitable registration renewals and financial reports in New Jersey and other states where we solicit donations.
Commitment to Transparency
Berru Charitable Foundation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability. All IRS Form 990-PF returns, audited financial statements, and annual reports are available for public review upon request or through our website.
We adhere to all federal and state regulations governing private foundations, including minimum distribution requirements, prohibited transaction rules, and excise tax compliance. Our board of directors reviews compliance matters quarterly to ensure ongoing adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.