By the Hand Foundation

ROCKY RIVER, OH EIN: 34-1634929 Website

By The Hand Foundation is a private foundation based in Rocky River, Ohio. The organization advances compassion through action by empowering vulnerable populations and protecting animal welfare through strategic philanthropic investments.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$936K

-29.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$53K

-35.7% YoY

Grant Count

-11.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$7K

-27.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, By the Hand Foundation reported a distributable amount of $48K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission Statement: By The Hand Foundation advances compassion through action—empowering vulnerable populations and protecting animal welfare by promoting education, addressing food insecurity and other basic needs, and fostering self-reliance. Guided by our values of compassion, effectiveness, and personal growth, we invest in initiatives that create measurable impact and lasting, positive change.

Primary Focus Areas:

Education
Food insecurity and basic needs
Animal welfare
Self-reliance initiatives

Grantmaking

The foundation supports charities aligned with its mission through direct grants. The foundation has developed FastScratch for Charity, an innovative fundraising tool that matches donors' donations based on the percentage scratched off—ranging from 25% to 200% matching.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation operates from Rocky River, Ohio and has supported nonprofits in multiple states, including organizations in Chicago and other regions.

Grant Distribution by State

Ohio $451K (93%)

Illinois $14K (3%)

Utah $6K (1%)

Florida $6K (1%)

Tennessee $5K (1%)

Maryland $2K (0%)

New York $175 (0%)

States

Florida Illinois Maryland New York Ohio Tennessee Utah

Cities

AkronBelmontBereaChicagoClevelandCoconut CreekEuclidGarfield HeightsKanabLorainMassillonMemphisMt GileadOssiningRocky RiverRussell TwpSouth EuclidStrongsvilleTroyUpper Marlboro

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of the most recent reporting period, By The Hand Foundation and its Trustees have donated $3,325,149.56 to charities and to support the foundation's mission since January 1, 2019.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$935,553	$1,323,106	$1,244,920
Revenue	$397,492	$155,933	$-6,354
Expenses	$317,564	$309,029	$210,895
Qualifying Distributions	$53,172	$82,418	$53,756
Net Investment Income	$123,419	$114,911	$11,047
Distributable Amount	$47,817	$66,023	$72,909

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

88 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include United Cerebral Palsy ($24,581), See Attached for Additional ($22,591), Geauga Humane Society ($1,800).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY KANAB, UT	ANIMAL RESCUE	$600
CITY MISSION CLEVELAND, OH	ASSISTANCE TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED	$500
FOOD FOR THE POOR COCONUT CREEK, FL	ASSISTANCE TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED	$600
GEAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY RUSSELL TWP, OH	ANIMAL RESCUE	$1,800
SALVATION ARMY CLEVELAND, OH	ASSISTANCE TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED	$1,800
ST JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEMPHIS, TN	CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH	$500
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY CLEVELAND, OH	ADVANCE INDIVIDUALS WITH CEREBRAL PA	$24,581
SEE ATTACHED FOR ADDITIONAL VARIOUS, OH	SEE ATTACHED	$22,591

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Bob Bensman (1951–2025) founded By The Hand Foundation in 1995. Bensman was an entrepreneur who previously owned Ver-A-Fast Corporation for 39 years and developed the FastScratch for Charity program.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
CATHLEEN SOPRANO	TRUSTEE	5	—
ROBERT BENSMAN	TRUSTEE	5	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has supported notable nonprofits including By The Hand Club for Kids in Chicago, which received significant philanthropic support from the foundation and other donors.

Full text of "Private Foundations Release for July" - Internet Archive

Frequently Asked Questions

What does By the Hand Foundation fund?

**Mission Statement:** By The Hand Foundation advances compassion through action—empowering vulnerable populations and protecting animal welfare by promoting education, addressing food insecurity and other basic needs, and fostering self-reliance. Guided by our values of compassion, effectiveness, and personal growth, we invest in initiatives that create measurable impact and lasting, positive change. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Food insecurity and basic needs • Animal welfare • Self…

How do I apply for a grant from By the Hand Foundation?

Where does By the Hand Foundation make grants?

The foundation operates from Rocky River, Ohio and has supported nonprofits in multiple states, including organizations in Chicago and other regions.

What size grants does By the Hand Foundation award?

In 2024, By the Hand Foundation awarded 8 grants totaling $53K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is By the Hand Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, By the Hand Foundation reported a distributable amount of $48K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.