Eric James Benson Foundation
Eric James Benson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Shorewood, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $21K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $3K. Net investment income was $847.
Eric James Benson Foundation at a glance
In short: Eric James Benson Foundation gave $3K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $640), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,200
- -30.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $640
- -17.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $21,135
- -9.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Eric James Benson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Open Hands Foundation ($1K). Together the top 5 received $3K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 28 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Eric James Benson Foundation gives
- Giving fell 65% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2020) to $11K (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $3K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Open Hands Foundation Excelsior, MN | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Bolder Options Minneapolis, MN | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Wilderness Inquiry Minneapolis, MN | Wilderness Preservation | $500 |
| Sarah Shulze Fdn Oak Park, CA | General | $500 |
| Minnesota Land Trust Saint Paul, MN | Conservation | $200 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,135 | $1,147 | $3,200 | $3,200 | 5 | — | $847 | — |
| 2024 | $23,388 | $6,304 | $4,633 | $4,633 | 6 | — | $1,004 | — |
| 2023 | $21,717 | $1,648 | $10,750 | $11,000 | 4 | $10,750 | $1,148 | — |
| 2022 | $32,873 | $2,306 | $9,050 | $9,050 | 5 | $9,050 | $306 | — |
| 2021 | $35,469 | $8,756 | $5,500 | $5,500 | 8 | $5,500 | $114 | — |
| 2020 | $32,213 | $16,651 | $2,500 | $2,500 | 3 | — | $29 | — |
| 2019 | $17,972 | $18,062 | $90 | — | — | — | $62 | $886 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Eric James Benson Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kathryn Benson
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Aaron Sorbel
Treasurerdirector
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James Benson
Vice Chairdirector
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jessica Sorbel
Secretarydirector
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mary Benson
Chairmandirector
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Eric James Benson Foundation
How much does Eric James Benson Foundation give each year?
Eric James Benson Foundation gave $3K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5K across 6 grants.
What is Eric James Benson Foundation's typical grant size?
Eric James Benson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $640, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Eric James Benson Foundation give grants?
Eric James Benson Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (2 grants).
Does Eric James Benson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of Eric James Benson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Eric James Benson Foundation's largest grantees?
Eric James Benson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Open Hands Foundation ($1,000), Bolder Options ($1,000) and Wilderness Inquiry ($500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Eric James Benson Foundation?
Eric James Benson Foundation reported $21K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1K.
What is Eric James Benson Foundation?
Eric James Benson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Shorewood, MN. It holds $21K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Eric James Benson Foundation's EIN?
Eric James Benson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2725130. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 7, 2024)
Live grants for the work Eric James Benson Foundation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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