Elder Family Foundation
Elder Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. It reported 11 grants totaling $70,000 in 2025, supporting organizations in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts.
Key facts about Elder Family Foundation
In short: Elder Family Foundation gave $70K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 51-0426160
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $70,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $6,364
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (5 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,548,116
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation stated on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
+5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$70K
-17.6% YoY
Grant Count
11
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-10.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $96K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Elder Family Foundation open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 11 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 90% 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 (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including education, health care, community programs, and the arts. For example, Communities in Schools of Chicago describes its work as connecting social, health, and enrichment programs and services to Chicago public school students. Lantern Theater Company says it produces plays, presents audience enrichment programs, and educates regional youth through theater and literature. The School in Rose Valley describes itself as a progressive school for children from preschool through sixth grade.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 11 grants totaling $70,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. The listed grants were for general operations.
Notable recipients included Communities in Schools of Chicago ($10,000), The Fund for Penn Medicine ($10,000), and Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($10,000). Other recipients included The Agnes Irwin School ($5,000), Chester Childrens Chorus ($5,000), Lantern Theater Company ($5,000), Park Avenue Community Center ($5,000), Bedlam Theater ($5,000), The School in Rose Valley ($5,000), First Presby Church of Lake Forest ($5,000), and Massachusetts General Hospital ($5,000).
How to Apply
The foundation stated on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Elder Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania (50%), Illinois (36%), New York (7%), and Massachusetts (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2020) to $85K (2024). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $70K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Communities in Schools of Chicago ($10K). Together the top 10 received $65K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 56 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Communities in Schools of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operations | $10,000 |
| The Fund for Penn Medicine Philadelphia, PA | General Operations | $10,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation Chicago, IL | General Operations | $10,000 |
| The Agnes Irwin School Rosemont, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Chester Childrens Chorus Swarthmore, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Lantern Theater Company Philadelphia, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Park Avenue Community Center Swarthmore, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Bedlam Theater New York, NY | General Operations | $5,000 |
| The School in Rose Valley Rose Valley, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| First Presby Church of Lake Forest Lake Forest, IL | General Operations | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,548,116 | $163,908 | $87,114 | $70,000 (11 grants) |
| 2024 | $1,471,675 | $188,242 | $100,365 | $85,000 (12 grants) |
| 2023 | $1,378,609 | $127,140 | $83,462 | $70,000 (10 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,548,116 | $1,471,675 | $1,378,609 |
| Revenue | $163,908 | $188,242 | $127,140 |
| Expenses | $87,114 | $100,365 | $83,462 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $87,114 | $100,365 | $83,462 |
| Net Investment Income | $146,794 | $172,877 | $113,678 |
| Distributable Amount | $96,267 | $92,037 | $81,235 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elizabeth Mentzinger and Richard Mentzinger Jr as trustees.
Elder Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Mentzinger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Mentzinger Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 309 Dickinson Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081-2002
Phone: (484) 431-9243
Frequently asked questions about Elder Family Foundation
How much does Elder Family Foundation give each year?
Elder Family Foundation gave $70K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $85K across 12 grants.
What is Elder Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Elder Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,364, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elder Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Elder Family Foundation give grants?
Elder Family Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (36%) and New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants) and Swarthmore, PA (2 grants).
Does Elder Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Elder Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Elder Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Elder Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Communities in Schools of Chicago ($10,000), The Fund for Penn Medicine ($10,000) and Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Elder Family Foundation?
Elder Family Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $87K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $96K (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 Elder Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including education, health care, community programs, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elder Family Foundation?
The foundation stated on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elder Family Foundation's EIN?
Elder Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0426160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Elder Family Foundation 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 September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Elder Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elder Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
Independence Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
Independence Foundation supports nonprofits in Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties, with funding for arts and culture, health care, human services, legal aid, and reentry, recidivism, and restorative justice. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a Letter of Inquiry when the process is open, but it says 2026 funding is fully allocated and it is not accepting LOIs.
Assets
$85.5M
Grants
223
Total Given
$4.0M
The Lumpkin Family Foundation
Mattoon, IL
The Lumpkin Family Foundation supports environmental protection, health and wellness, local food and agriculture, and community collaboration, primarily in East Central Illinois and Chicago, with some national grants. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $630,000, with a median of $6,000. It says it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$39.9M
Grants
209
Total Given
$4.0M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
Performing Arts Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
Assets
$3.9M
Grants
100
Total Given
$203K
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation
Coraopolis, PA
DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports participation in under-resourced communities, including equipment, registration costs and facilities, and also supports outdoor access and education. Its 2025 grants ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, with a median of $5,000, and Sports Matter funding has reached all 50 states. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only; the foundation says 501(c)(3) grant requests should be submitted in writing.
Assets
$34.5M
Grants
964
Total Given
$18.0M
Hillman Family Foundations
Pittsburgh, PA
The 18 independently operated foundations support projects in areas such as arts and culture, health, education, economic development, and community improvement, with a preference for Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania; each foundation has its own geographic focus. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median of $20,000. The 2024 filing says unsolicited requests are accepted, beginning with a brief letter of intent through the online portal.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
Pidc Financing Corporation
Philadelphia, PA
PIDC Financing Corporation administers Pennsylvania business loans for real estate, leasehold improvements, and equipment, as well as partner-funded grants for Philadelphia economic, cultural, civic, historical, storefront, and stormwater projects. Its 2024 filing reports no grants, so no typical giving level is stated; grant partners select recipients, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$6.7M
Grants
774
Total Given
$16.4M
The Philadelphia Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Foundation supports economic mobility and other community needs through grants to nonprofits, including workforce development, direct services, and initiatives addressing urgent regional challenges. In 2024, its median grant was $25,500, and its primary service area is Greater Philadelphia; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$704.6M
Grants
715
Total Given
$39.1M
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Elder Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?