OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION THE H. N. AND FRANCES C. BERGER FOUNDATION

DESCRIPTION Philanthropic Support The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation is a private family foundation and does not take funding from outside sources. All funds for charitable giving and grants are generated by Officers of the Foundation. The Officers are chosen professionals in the fields of finance and real estate planning and development. Since 1993 alone, the H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation in Palm Desert has contributed more than $300 million to charities throughout Southern California and the United States. When Fran and “Nor” Berger met in Santa Barbara in the early 1920’s, they were an ideal match of optimistic middle class achievers striving for a better tomorrow. The self-made couple never lost sight of their humble beginnings and as their good fortune increased, they quietly began their lifelong charitable efforts of consistent giving. The Bergers shared their good fortune with others by funding the construction of college and religious buildings, establishing scholarships, and supporting hospitals among their diverse philanthropic interests. They established a private foundation in 1961 with the mission to “help people to help themselves.” Mr. Berger passed away in 1988, and Mrs. Berger died three years later. “Every day we are looking for ways to build upon the original mission created by Fran and Nor for the Foundation,” says Ron Auen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. “We never forget our primary goal is to create long term benefits through the Foundation contributions and donations.” In October of 2008, for instance, Riverside County officials and sheriff personnel gathered at a groundbreaking for a new sheriff station in Thermal, California, on 20 acres of land donated by The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The donation was made to the County of Riverside in 2005 specifically for construction of a new, state-of-the-art sheriff station. Sheriff Stanley Sniff said at the groundbreaking that the donation would enable the Sheriff’s Department to sufficiently expand their services to the growing population of the eastern county which is currently being serviced by an over-burdened Indio substation. The 77,000 square-foot station includes Riverside County’s first on-site aviation and training facility, and the land donation exemplifies how the Berger Foundation gift will create a long term benefit to the region. A sampling of other Coachella Valley recipients of Berger Foundation grants includes The Bob Hope Classic Charities, Inc., Palm Springs Art Museum, College of the Desert, Cal State University-Palm Desert Campus, Palm Springs Air Museum, Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, American Red Cross, Rancho Mirage Elementary School, Sacred Heart School, Angel View Crippled Children’s Foundation, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Special Olympics-Coachella Valley handicapped athletes, American Cancer Society-Desert Palms Area, Hidden Harvest, Boy Scouts of America-Coachella Valley, and the War Casualty Family Assistance Fund. Innovation/Creativity Addressing the Issue The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation strives to reach beyond established boundaries and recipients by creating new initiatives for giving. In 2008, the Foundation partnered with local CBS affiliate KPSP-TV for an ongoing program titled Coachella Valley Spotlight, which encourages and rewards the good work being done by local non-profit organizations. Each month a deserving group is identified by the Foundation

to receive a $25,000 donation, and is then featured on Spotlight news stories throughout the month produced by KPSP-TV. Public service announcements and links to the nonprofit organization’s website also inform the community about their work and how residents can get involved in supporting the organization. The initiative has shined a bright light on why life in the Coachella Valley is so special, and sparked other individuals and businesses to donate. Spotlighted agencies to date include Shelter From the Storm, Martha’s Village and Kitchen, Pegasus Riding Academy, the Children’s Discovery Museum, Find Food Bank, YMCA of the Desert, Western Coachella Valley Police Activities League, and Christopher’s Clubhouse. The Berger Foundation has also been a part of a unique model for giving through its funding for the Cal State University-Palm Desert Campus, a first of its kind public-private partnership between a state and private enterprise to build a state university campus. A partnership between the Berger Foundation and Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation is another example of creative resourcing to accomplish major initiatives. For the past five years, the foundations have joined forces to achieve dramatic results through collaboration, improving the lives of children and enabling funding to grow and thrive, even in the current slumping economic climate. Leadership Role The Berger Foundation is a catalyst to help nonprofits achieve their objectives by mutual cooperation, clear goal-setting and steadfast determination. Through dedicated research and community interaction, the Foundation takes a proactive role in identifying those in need and developing initiatives to address the issues. The previously mentioned Coachella Valley Spotlight is a prime example of the Berger Foundation taking the lead, reaching out to the community and those in need, and helping local organizations continue their much needed work.

The Berger Foundation has a tradition of challenging others to step forward, as it did in 2005 when announcing a $1 million challenge to Coachella Valley residents to support construction of the New Hospital Building at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Residents came through with $2,101,000 by the end of the challenge period, exceeding the goal by more than $1 million. Additional gifts have now pushed the total to nearly $4 million.

IMPACT The Berger Foundation’s impact on the Coachella Valley is wide-ranging and truly important to the quality of life here. By enabling Riverside County to build a sheriff station and aviation facility, the Foundation became the catalyst for not only local law enforcement improvements, but an enhancement for the entire region…The Foundation’s 96-acre “land grant” to Xavier High School in Palm Desert enabled a new Catholic high school to be built in the area… Funds donated to Shelter From the Storm are helping battered women and their families get their lives back on track… Martha’s Village and Kitchen has been able to continue feeding and housing those less fortunate…Pegasus Riding Academy remains open to work with disabled children…Thousands of children and families are enjoying programs at The Children’s Discovery Museum and YMCA of the Desert because of Berger funds…The shelves at the Find Food Bank are filled, and the Western Coachella Valley Police Activities League has been able to enhance their programs through funds received from the Berger Foundation… For Christopher’s Clubhouse, one of the nonprofits

recognized by the Coachella Valley Spotlight, their annual budget tripled as a result of the donation from the Berger Foundation. The foundation’s impact spreads far beyond the Coachella Valley, too. In 2005, a $5 million disaster relief grant successfully stimulated matching gifts from Southern California residents, businesses and private foundations to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Berger Foundation also supports the Appalachian College Association, Alice Lloyd College, University of Arizona, and Claremont McKenna College. Berger Foundation funding for the I Have a Dream Foundation resulted in a new building for the organization, as well as transportation for their day-to-day operations. The hockey-themed “Child Life Zone” at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite (made possible by funding from the Berger Foundation and the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation) offers patients and their families an escape from the stress of illness and time in the hospital. Through education and play, the Zone is designed to support child life specialists in their efforts to help children understand and cope with their illness and recovery. The Berger Foundation’s $1 million matching challenge grant to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles turned into $3,101,000 and impacted countless children’s lives in California, nearby Western States and from around the world—including more than 400 of the sickest, most seriously injured children from the Coachella Valley and surrounding region are treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles every year. ENCOURAGING & MOTIVATING LEADERSHIP Since its inception, the Berger Foundation has set out to be a catalyst to help others help themselves. Berger donations and contributions are often multiplied by motivating the recipients and organizations to create the tools needed to continue their work beyond the financial gift. Community is at the heart of the Berger Foundation and through their grants; residents from all levels of society have been, and continue to be, encouraged and motivated to seek new challenges and to reach beyond their established goals. When Nor Berger passed away in 1988 and Fran Berger died three years later, the impact of their lives and their generous and compassionate philanthropy was immeasurable. Mr. and Mrs. Berger believed in opportunity for everyone, no matter what their status in society, and that belief continues today with every grant decision made by the foundation.