Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that supports human development in an individual recipient and Southwestern Pennsylvania through grants in education and economic development, as well as region-specific programs. The foundation’s website states that it was established by Michael and Sarah Benedum in 1944.
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation at a glance
In short: Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation gave $14.0M across 198 grants in 2024 (avg $71K), mostly in West Virginia. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,992,543
- -7.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 198
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $70,669
- -14.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $447,825,666
- +3.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (58 of 155, 2024)
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (66% 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 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer Hammerstrom
Mailing address: 1400 Benedum-Trees Building 223, Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 246-3600
Email: info@benedum.org
Website: https://benedum.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Benedum Foundation Grants
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Development / Health Grants
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Amount
Up to US $200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Education and Economic Development Grants
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was West Virginia University Foundation Inc ($1.3M across 13 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($650,200), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
839 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 332 grants of 839 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves all of an individual recipient In Southwestern Pennsylvania, its stated service area is Allegheny, Washington, Greene, and Fayette counties. Its website says it generally invests two-thirds of grant dollars in an individual recipient and one-third in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and encourages cross-state projects and economic initiatives that benefit the multi-state economy centered on Pittsburgh. For filing year 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to an individual recipient recipients and 29% to Pennsylvania recipients; the remainder went to recipients in New York, Connecticut, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 198 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 58 of 155 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $65K; repeat grants $105K. How we count
Medians: $56K first-time, $85K repeat.
- 44% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% 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 $14.0M (2024) to $15.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 198 grants totaling $14.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University Foundation Inc Morgantown, WV | For the sparking early literacy growth in West Virginia next phase grant program, which supports transformational early literacy programs for children in West Virginia from birth to age 8 in high-need areas | $348,000 |
| Coalfield Development Corp Huntington, WV | To launch a first of its kind climate change resiliency strategy to transform the economy in the coalfields region of West Virginia as part of the national build back better challenge (over three years) | $274,000 |
| Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit Camp Hill, PA | For the Pennsylvania school-age child care alliance to convene the out-of-school time community around a cohesive statewide advocacy agenda to increase dedicated funding and support to out-of-school time organizations | $200,000 |
| The Education Alliance-Business and Community for Public Schools Inc Charleston, WV | To create accelerated career pathways from k-12 for high skill/high wage jobs for youth in healthcare and manufacturing through the career acceleration, readiness, and employment experiences for regional students program (over two years) | $200,000 |
| Allegheny Conference on Community Development Pittsburgh, PA | To support the allegheny conferences 2024-2026 work plan, which strives to advance a thriving, future-focused economy for southwestern Pennsylvania | $175,000 |
| Friends of Blackwater Inc Thomas, WV | For the West Virginia mountain railroad historic trail project, which aims to activate the strategy for a new 107-mile regional trail connecting 20 towns and hubs between elkins, blackwater canyon, and the chesapeake and Ohio canal | $175,000 |
| West Virginia Manufacturers Association Educational Fund Inc Buckhannon, WV | To strengthen west virginias manufacturing career pipeline, through advancing manufacturing education and engaging industry professionals in high-level programming | $160,000 |
| Allegheny Intermediate Unit Homestead, PA | To support catalytic grantmaking that enables schools and out-of-school programs to test audacious ideas around redesigning school systems, reengineering instruction, and co-authoring personalized learning for all students | $150,000 |
| American Heart Association West Virginia Pittsburgh, PA | To catalyze the West Virginia food ecosystem by evaluating and strengthening the capacity of healthy kids, inc. And their central kitchen project (over two years) | $150,000 |
| Pittsburgh Opera Inc Pittsburgh, PA | For Operating Support for the 2024-25 Season | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 198 grants; the 2023 filing reports 182 and the 2022 filing reports 166.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $447,825,666 | $5,913,557 | $18,126,456 | $13,992,543 | 198 | $20,732,104 | $23,307,830 | $21,217,685 |
| 2023 | $433,734,264 | $5,453,349 | $18,755,426 | $15,116,764 | 182 | $18,514,750 | $14,280,535 | $21,200,320 |
| 2022 | $413,016,186 | $9,095,416 | $18,962,418 | $15,900,228 | 166 | $19,235,820 | $17,249,963 | $20,488,856 |
| 2021 | $482,600,623 | $11,752,191 | $20,128,229 | $14,584,095 | 132 | $18,610,751 | $40,626,313 | $21,991,408 |
| 2020 | $429,577,921 | $9,649,989 | $17,335,228 | $15,114,236 | 161 | — | $19,298,810 | $18,240,485 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21.2M 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
The foundation’s mission is “to encourage human development in an individual recipient and Southwestern Pennsylvania through strategically placed charitable resources.” Education and economic development are program areas in both states. It also supports community development and health in an individual recipient, and major performing arts organizations within Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Cultural District.
Its 2024 grants illustrate the range of supported work, including early literacy, career pathways, out-of-school-time programs, regional economic development, trails and heritage, and opera operating support. Among its grantees, the West Virginia University Foundation describes its mission as maximizing charitable support and providing services to the university, its students, and affiliated organizations. The Allegheny Conference on Community Development says it works with public- and private-sector partners to stimulate economic growth and improve quality of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Opera describes its mission as enriching Pittsburgh and the tri-state area culturally and drawing national and international attention to the region.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 198 grants totaling $13,992,543. Grants ranged from $500 to $348,000, with a median of $75,000. Among the largest awards were $348,000 to the West Virginia University Foundation for an early-literacy initiative; $274,000 to Coalfield Development Corp. for a climate-resilience strategy in West Virginia’s coalfields; and $200,000 to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit for statewide advocacy around out-of-school-time programs in Pennsylvania. Other substantial awards included $200,000 to The Education Alliance-Business and Community for Public Schools for career pathways in healthcare and manufacturing, and $175,000 each to the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Friends of Blackwater.
The foundation says it does not have submission deadlines and accepts applications throughout the year. Applicants are directed to review its guidelines and submit an online application. Its website says applicants may send a brief project description to staff if they are unsure whether a project fits; after submission, applicants are told to expect a response within 60 days, while review may take up to 90 days or longer. The foundation generally does not fund individuals, organizations that are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), religious organizations for religious purposes, scholarships or student aid, endowments, biomedical or bench research, individual elementary and secondary schools, or organizations outside its stated regions. Other general restrictions include construction, equipment, long-term operating expenses, and conferences or events unless integral to a supported program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gregory S. Babe, Thomas A. Heywood, Lloyd Jackson II, Parween S. Mascari, Illah R. Nourbakhsh, Larry A. Rhodes, and Jane N. Werner-Rutkowski as trustees. Heywood is also listed as chairman. Ralph J. Bean Jr., Esther L. Barazzone, and G. Nicholas Beckwith are listed as trustee emeriti.
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is led by Jennifer Giovannitti, President on every filing since 2020; 14 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer Giovannitti
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$358K (2020) → $428K (2024)
Thomas A. Heywood
Trustee & Chairman
Trustee → Trustee & Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $24K (2024)
Gregory S. Babe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Illah R. Nourbaksh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Jane N. Werner-Rutkowski
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Larry A. Rhodes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Lloyd Jackson II
Trustee
Trustee & Chairman → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Parween S. Mascari
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Gaston Caperton
Honorary Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robert B. Walker
Senior Trustee
Trustee Emeritus → Senior Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy K. Marsh
Member of the Inv. Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $7K (2024)
Brad R. Ballantine
Treasurer & Senior Accountant
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$87K (2020) → $108K (2024)
G. Randolph Worls
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
$8K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ralph J. Bean Jr.
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
$8K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Rick Kraich
Member of the Inv. Committee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Sandra H. Harvey
Secretary -
Secretary → Secretary -, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $112K (2024)
Kim Tieman
Vice President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$188K (2022) → $197K (2024)
Brittney Tyler
Secretary -
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$8K (2024)
Esther L. Barazzone
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
G. Nicholas Beckwith
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William P. Getty
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Paul G. Benedum Jr. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: James V. Denova (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: L. Newton Thomas Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee Emeritus
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 $428K, to Jennifer Giovannitti (President (4)(6)). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
How much does Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation give each year?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation gave $14.0M across 198 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $15.1M across 182 grants.
What is Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's typical grant size?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $70,669, across 198 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation that year got $65K on average.
Where does Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation give grants?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation gives mostly in West Virginia: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (29%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (33 grants), Charleston, WV (23 grants), Morgantown, WV (19 grants) and Huntington, WV (15 grants).
Does Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 198) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's largest grantees?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include West Virginia University Foundation Inc ($1,277,265 across 13 grants), Coalfield Development Corp ($288,976 across 4 grants) and Intermediate Unit 1 ($230,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 7 grants to individuals ($650,200), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation reported $447.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21.2M (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 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to encourage human development in an individual recipient and Southwestern Pennsylvania through strategically placed charitable resources.” Education and economic development are program areas in both states. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check benedum.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's EIN?
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1086799. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/claude-worthington-benedum-foundation-morg_4875d570246e42b98983d629ded5a92b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251086799_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/claude-worthington-benedum-foundation-morg_4875d570246e42b98983d629ded5a92b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation'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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