Friends for a Better Way Foundation
Friends for a Better Way Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It made 19 grants totaling $8,550 in filing year 2025 to organizations in several states.
Friends for a Better Way Foundation at a glance
In short: Friends for a Better Way Foundation gave $9K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $450), top state California. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,550
- -6.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $450
- -6.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $152,582
- -5.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (5 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Friends for a Better Way Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants should send a 2–3 page letter of inquiry, proof of IRS 501(c)(3) exemption, and a project description and budget. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- June 30 each year. The June 30, 2026 deadline is past.
- Deadline
- June 30 each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Jonathan Justi
Mailing address: C/O Justi - 11203 Silver Tree Pl, Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: (954) 288-6808
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Friends for a Better Way Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Food Bank of Contra Costa ($1K). Together the top 10 received $6K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 81 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, 35% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 24% to Florida, 12% to New York, 9% to Maryland, and 9% to Virginia. The listed grants also include recipients in Montana. These figures describe the locations of grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Friends for a Better Way Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 19 grantees (26%) 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 $550; repeat grants $414. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $388 repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−17%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% 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 $4K (2023) to $11K (2020). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $9K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food Bank of Contra Costa Concord, CA | Funding Support | $1,000 |
| White Pony Express Food Bank Concord, CA | Funding Support | $1,000 |
| Chapelgate Presbyterian Church Marriottsville, MD | Funding Support | $500 |
| Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance Inc Pace, FL | Funding Support | $500 |
| Tunnel to Towers Staten Island, NY | Funding Support | $500 |
| Wounded Warriors Foundation Jacksonville, FL | Funding Support | $500 |
| ASPCA New York, NY | Funding Support | $500 |
| Humane Farming Association San Rafael, CA | Funding Support | $500 |
| Rural Revival Project Chester, VA | Funding Support | $500 |
| Honor the Earth Lame Deer, MT | Funding Support | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with Friends for a Better Way Foundation?
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 | $152,582 | $4,907 | $13,383 | $8,550 | 19 | $8,550 | — | — |
| 2024 | $161,058 | $12,412 | $11,754 | $9,180 | 19 | $9,180 | — | $9,166 |
| 2023 | $160,400 | $4,185 | $5,827 | $3,785 | 11 | $3,785 | $812 | — |
| 2022 | $162,042 | $36,019 | $12,326 | $10,250 | 19 | $10,250 | $506 | — |
| 2021 | $138,349 | $2,598 | $20,408 | $10,700 | 13 | $10,700 | — | $10,007 |
| 2020 | $156,159 | $33,792 | $16,150 | $11,150 | 15 | — | — | $11,814 |
| 2019 | $138,590 | $-13,410 | $12,778 | $10,500 | 8 | — | $1,268 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working on food access, veterans’ services, animal welfare, housing, Indigenous communities, and other causes. For example, East Oakland Community Project describes its work as providing emergency and transitional housing and support services to help people experiencing homelessness regain self-reliance. Honor the Earth says it works to protect Indigenous lifeways and sovereignty through community investment, organizing, research, training, and capacity support. Reef Relief describes itself as dedicated to protecting coral reef ecosystems, and Sea Turtle Conservancy says its work aims to ensure sea turtle survival through research, education, advocacy, and habitat protection.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $8,550. Grants ranged from $250 to $1,000, with a median grant of $500. The largest listed awards were $1,000 each to Food Bank of Contra Costa and White Pony Express Food Bank. Other listed recipients receiving $500 each included East Oakland Community Project, Honor the Earth, ASPCA, and Tunnel to Towers. Reef Relief and Sea Turtle Conservancy each received $250.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jonathan Justi, Paul Justi, and Steven Justi as trustees.
Friends for a Better Way Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jonathan Justi
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Paul Justi
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Steven Justi
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Davina Adler (2019) — 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 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $500, to Jonathan Justi (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Friends for a Better Way Foundation
How much does Friends for a Better Way Foundation give each year?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation gave $9K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $9K across 19 grants.
What is Friends for a Better Way Foundation's typical grant size?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $450, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Friends for a Better Way Foundation that year got $550 on average.
Where does Friends for a Better Way Foundation give grants?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation's top state is California, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (24%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Concord, CA (2 grants).
Does Friends for a Better Way Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Friends for a Better Way Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funding Support" (19 grants).
Who are Friends for a Better Way Foundation's largest grantees?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Food Bank of Contra Costa ($1,000), White Pony Express Food Bank ($1,000) and Chapelgate Presbyterian Church ($500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Friends for a Better Way Foundation?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation reported $153K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $5K.
What does Friends for a Better Way Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working on food access, veterans’ services, animal welfare, housing, Indigenous communities, and other causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Friends for a Better Way Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Friends for a Better Way Foundation's EIN?
Friends for a Better Way Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-6195347. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Friends for a Better Way Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 30, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Friends for a Better Way Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friends for a Better Way Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Friends for a Better Way 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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