Bender Foundation Inc
Bender Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Washington, DC. Its 2024 filing reports 84 grants totaling $6,152,172 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in health, education, community support, and Jewish life.
Bender Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Bender Foundation Inc gave $6.2M across 84 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), top state Maryland. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,152,172
- -3.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 84
- +12.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $73,240
- -14.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $157,361,161
- +4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (13 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bender Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co 1150 Connecticut Avenue Nw, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 828-9000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bender Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fidelity Charitable ($500K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
433 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 204 grants of 433 (47%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Maryland (45%), Washington, DC (33%), Ohio (8%), Virginia (7%), and Rhode Island (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 84 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Bender Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 73 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $93K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.6M (2021) to $7.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 84 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bender JCC of Greater Washington Rockville, MD | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| Medstar Washington Hospital Center Washington, DC | Medstar wash. Hospital center heart hospital 10 of 10 | $250,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League Washington, DC | DC Education Initiatives 2 of 3 | $250,000 |
| Capital Jewish Museum Washington, DC | Second Floor Lobby | $250,000 |
| Ashley Addiction Treatment Havre De Grace, MD | Recovery Coaching Service 2 of 3 | $250,000 |
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | Contribution to Bender Foundation DAF | $250,000 |
| Fidelity Charitable Cincinnati, OH | Julie B Silver Fdn Family Fund | $250,000 |
| Fidelity Charitable Cincinnati, OH | Nanette & David S. Bender Fund | $250,000 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial College Park, DC | Beyond Our Walls Fund 3 of 5 | $200,000 |
| Jewish Women International Washington, DC | Young Women's Impact Network | $150,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $157,361,161 | $7,781,782 | $7,761,224 | $6,152,172 | 84 | $6,572,476 | $7,003,898 | $7,483,762 |
| 2023 | $150,627,977 | $4,245,094 | $8,106,468 | $6,405,126 | 75 | $6,987,604 | $3,651,383 | $7,206,861 |
| 2022 | $142,468,997 | $5,508,584 | $8,812,379 | $7,089,542 | 89 | $7,756,750 | $4,791,664 | $7,472,118 |
| 2021 | $164,083,269 | $9,597,789 | $7,031,633 | $5,606,035 | 94 | $6,157,999 | $9,111,742 | $7,548,107 |
| 2020 | $148,143,840 | $6,524,127 | $7,352,785 | $6,115,000 | 91 | — | $5,964,914 | $7,093,483 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bender Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations whose own missions address a range of needs. For example, the Bender JCC of Greater Washington says it welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, religions, abilities, and sexual orientations and offers programming inspired by Jewish heritage. Grassroots Health says it advances health equity through sports-based health education in middle schools. Future Link says it supports first-generation-to-college young adults in Montgomery County with professional development and resources for education, training, and employment.
Other 2024 recipients include Identity Inc, which says it creates opportunities for youth, families, and communities to thrive; Family Services Inc, which describes work in mental health, addiction, special education, and community support; and Athletes for Hope, which says it mobilizes the athletic community for community service.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 84 grants totaling $6,152,172. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest grants were $300,000 to Bender JCC of Greater Washington for general operating support; $250,000 each to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Anti-Defamation League, Capital Jewish Museum, Ashley Addiction Treatment, Vanguard Charitable Fund, and Fidelity Charitable; and $200,000 to the United States Holocaust Memorial. Other reported grants included $150,000 to Jewish Women International, $150,000 to the American Heart Association, and a second $150,000 grant to Bender JCC of Greater Washington.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Julie Bender Silver as president; David S Bender as vice president, treasurer, and secretary; Barbara A Bender as vice president; and Jason Belinkie, Jena Riley, David Silver, Nikki Bender Cole, Nanette Bender, and Jake Bender as directors.
Bender Foundation Inc is led by Julie Bender Silver, President on every filing since 2020; 7 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Julie Bender Silver
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $203K (2024)
David Silver
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Jason Belinkie
Director
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$117K (2020) → $143K (2024)
Jena Riley
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Nikki Bender Cole
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Jake Bender
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nanette Bender
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara A. Bender
Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2024)
David S. Bender
Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $203K, to Julie Bender Silver (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Bender Foundation Inc
How much does Bender Foundation Inc give each year?
Bender Foundation Inc gave $6.2M across 84 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.4M across 75 grants.
What is Bender Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Bender Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $73,240, across 84 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bender Foundation Inc that year got $46K on average.
Where does Bender Foundation Inc give grants?
Bender Foundation Inc's top state is Maryland, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (33%) and Ohio (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (23 grants), Rockville, MD (18 grants), Bethesda, MD (6 grants) and Arlington, VA (4 grants).
Does Bender Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of Bender Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 84) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bender Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Bender Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Fidelity Charitable ($500,000 across 2 grants), Bender JCC of Greater Washington ($470,000 across 4 grants) and American Heart Association ($297,339 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bender Foundation Inc?
Bender Foundation Inc reported $157.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Bender Foundation Inc fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for organizations whose own missions address a range of needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bender Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bender Foundation Inc's EIN?
Bender Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6054193. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bender Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bender Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bender Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bender-foundation-inc-morg_5469ee63d88549dab4ed9c7832a87988
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_526054193_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bender Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bender-foundation-inc-morg_5469ee63d88549dab4ed9c7832a87988},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bender Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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