OVERVIEW: The Lynn & Les Bider Foundation’s grantmaking mainly supports Jewish organizations in the greater Los Angeles area.
IP TAKE: The foundation keeps a low public profile, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. It’s not transparent or accessible, so getting on the foundation’s radar with require deep networking and some luck. It does not accept unsolicited applications and makes contact challenging. Reach out by snail mail only if your work closely aligns as this funder prefers a proactive grantmaking approach. While the Biders make grants for the arts and Jewish causes, they primarily do so in the SoCal and Los Angeles areas, so if your work exists beyond this region, this will not be a strong fit.
PROFILE: Founded in 1996, the Lynn and Les Bider Foundation was established by music veteran executive Les Bider and his wife, Lynn. Les Bider graduated with a B.S. in accounting from USC and received a masters degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Bider was licensed as a CPA in California in 1975 and founded the accounting practice, Bider & Montgomery. In 1981, Bider joined Warner Bros. Music as CFO. He helped spearhead Warner/Chappell Music through the merger of Warner Bros. Music with the Chappell and Intersong Music Group. Bider also worked with Elevation Partners, a Menlo Park-based private equity firm and has worked as CFO of PinnacleCare.
The Lynn & Les Bider Foundation’s grantmaking includes support for Jewish and arts organizations, mainly in Southern California.
Grants for Los Angeles and Jewish Causes
The Biders are active in their local Jewish committee.
- Lynn is a former Sylvia Weisz Women’s Campaign Chair at the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, which receives ongoing support. She is also the past president of Stephen S. Wise Temple and has been on the board of trustees for some 20 years. Les has been involved with Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and Hebrew Union College.
- The couple, via their foundation, have supported Temple Beth AM, Hebrew Union College, Beit T’Shuvah and Jewish Vocational Services.
Lost Angeles arts venues also number significantly among the Biders’ grantees.
- Recipients include the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, where Bider is a life trustee, and the Skirball Cultural Center.
- Note that arts giving has tapered off somewhat in recent years.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $650 to $250,000.
- This funder mainly gives to Jewish organizations in the Los Angeles/SoCal region.
- Many grantees enjoy ongoing support, along with the personal support of Lynn and Les Bider.
- This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals.
- For additional information see the foundation’s past tax filings.
This funder does not provide a direct way to get in touch, but its phone number is listed as (818) 789-3644. A mailing address is provided below.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Lynn & Les Bider Family Foundation
23622 Calabasas Rd., Ste. 107
Calabasas, CA 91302