Estate of Benjamin B Lewis
The Estate of Benjamin B Lewis is a private foundation based in Trumbull, Connecticut. It gives grants to preselected charitable organizations, with its 2024 filing describing its awards as aid for Greater Bridgeport charities and limiting awards to public charities located in the Greater Bridgeport area.
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis at a glance
In short: Estate of Benjamin B Lewis gave $115K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Connecticut. 58% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $115,000
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,053
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $848,087
- -9.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (11 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Estate of Benjamin B Lewis
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The filing lists Karyn A Cunningham as the contact and requests a description of the program, program goals and accomplishments, and the latest financial statements. Awards are restricted to public charities located in the Greater Bridgeport area.
- Review Cycle
- September 30 (the filing does not specify a year).
- Deadline
- September 30 (the filing does not specify a year).
- Contact
Application contact: Karyn A Cunningham
Mailing address: 239 Judd Road, Easton, CT 06612
Phone: (772) 380-5217
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Estate of Benjamin B Lewis funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nourish Bridgeport Inc Rev Sara Smith Exec Director ($20K). Together the top 10 received $91K.
Grant Size Distribution
97 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 97 grants of 97 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing restricts awards to public charities located in the Greater Bridgeport area. In 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut and 10% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Estate of Benjamin B Lewis open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 19 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 42% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $107K (2023) to $135K (2021). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $115K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nourish Bridgeport Inc Rev Sara Smith Exec Director Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $20,000 |
| YMCA - Camp Hi-Rock Jessica Speer-Holmes Exec Director Mt Washington, MA | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $12,000 |
| Summerfield United Methodist Church the Rev Herron Keyon Gaston Pastor Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $10,100 |
| Bridgeport Citadel Corp Salvation a Holly Fink DIR of Donor Relations Hartford, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $10,000 |
| James J Curiale School Brett a Gustafson Principal Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $9,000 |
| Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Susan Chudwick Exec DIR of Development Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $8,000 |
| Bridgeport YMCA Maria Valentin Executive Director Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $6,000 |
| Burroughs Community Center Michael Quan Executive Director Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $6,000 |
| Center for Family Justice Debra Greenwood President/CEO Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $5,100 |
| Bridgeport Public Education Fund Faith Villegas Executive Director Bridgeport, CT | Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity | $5,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $848,087 | $95,787 | $184,247 | $115,000 | 19 | $127,454 | $38,994 | $122,788 |
| 2024 | $937,641 | $154,227 | $163,465 | $107,300 | 19 | $115,951 | $106,713 | $115,319 |
| 2023 | $946,886 | $87,441 | $155,834 | $107,300 | 20 | $114,300 | $45,907 | $104,950 |
| 2022 | $1,015,884 | $49,638 | $168,463 | $117,300 | 18 | $125,300 | $6,475 | $110,662 |
| 2021 | $1,135,975 | $208,666 | $185,094 | $135,300 | 21 | $142,300 | $165,872 | $119,275 |
| 2020 | $1,113,770 | $165,732 | $163,319 | $115,300 | 20 | — | $126,700 | $97,550 |
| 2019 | $1,140,399 | $173,442 | $156,191 | $109,300 | 20 | — | $135,628 | $95,693 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Estate of Benjamin B Lewis reported a distributable amount of $123K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including charities, a hospital foundation, a community center, and education-related organizations. For example, Nourish Bridgeport describes its mission as “bringing hope to our city through food-centered, volunteer-powered, community-anchored direct service programs.” The Bridgeport Public Education Fund says it works to increase community involvement in the Bridgeport public school system and support new programs and approaches to teaching and learning.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 19 grants totaling $107,300. Grants ranged from $100 to $18,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Among its largest awards were $18,000 to Nourish Bridgeport Inc.; $11,000 to YMCA - Camp Hi-Rock; $10,100 to Summerfield United Methodist Church; and $10,000 to Bridgeport Citadel Corp Salvation A. It also gave $8,000 to Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, $7,000 to James J Curiale School, and $6,000 each to Bridgeport YMCA and Burroughs Community Center. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 19 grants totaling $115,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Phyllis W Marsilius, Herbert G Koehler, W Parker Seeley Jr, and Karyn A Cunningham as trustees.
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Herbert G. Koehler
Trustee
On filings since 2019
$8K (2019) → $12K (2025)
W. Parker Seeley Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
$8K (2019) → $14K (2025)
Karyn A. Cunningham
Trustee
On filings since 2024
$4K (2024) → $14K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Phyllis W. Marsilius (2019–2024) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $14K, to W Parker Seeley Jr (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Estate of Benjamin B Lewis
How much does Estate of Benjamin B Lewis give each year?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis gave $115K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $107K across 19 grants.
What is Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's typical grant size?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,053, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Estate of Benjamin B Lewis that year got $4K on average.
Where does Estate of Benjamin B Lewis give grants?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis gives mostly in Connecticut: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bridgeport, CT (15 grants).
Does Estate of Benjamin B Lewis give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Aid for Greater Bridgeport Charity" (19 grants).
Who are Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's largest grantees?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's largest 2025 grantees include Nourish Bridgeport Inc Rev Sara Smith Exec Director ($20,000), YMCA - Camp Hi-Rock Jessica Speer-Holmes Exec Director ($12,000) and Summerfield United Methodist Church the Rev Herron Keyon Gaston Pastor ($10,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Estate of Benjamin B Lewis?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis reported $848K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $127K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $123K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Estate of Benjamin B Lewis fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including charities, a hospital foundation, a community center, and education-related organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Estate of Benjamin B Lewis?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's EIN?
Estate of Benjamin B Lewis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-6038309. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Estate of Benjamin B Lewis accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Estate of Benjamin B Lewis funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/estate-of-benjamin-b-lewis-morg_11ed23eb786a4e45b9fa2577d3ba1959
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_066038309_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Estate of Benjamin B Lewis funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/estate-of-benjamin-b-lewis-morg_11ed23eb786a4e45b9fa2577d3ba1959},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-13. 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 Estate of Benjamin B Lewis'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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