Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation
The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2007 and based in Metairie, Louisiana. The foundation was founded by Gayle and Tom Benson. Tom Benson was the former owner of the National Football League's New Orleans Saints and the National Basketball Association's New Orleans Pelicans. Gayle Benson, his widow, now owns both teams. Tom Benson accumulated his wealth through investments in automobile dealerships and banking, eventually forming Benson Financial, which he sold to Wells Fargo in 1996. Gayle Benson previously worked as an interior designer beginning in the 1970s and founded GMB Racing, a thoroughbred horse racing company.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$89K
+89.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.6M
+29.1% YoY
Grant Count
93
+32.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$103K
-2.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $46K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Its funding interests include:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Catholic organizations and causes
- Social services
- Children and youth
- The arts and culture
- The environment
Types of support provided include general operating support and project support.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with significant annual giving. In 2023, the foundation made 33 grants totaling approximately $4.9 million in documented grants, with total giving reaching $7.4 million. Grant sizes vary considerably, ranging from approximately $100 to $2.6 million.
Grant Range
s vary considerably, ranging from approximately $100 to $2.6 million.
Review Cycle
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, though it has also supported organizations in Texas, New York, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $47,114
- Total revenues: $7,418,203
- Total expenses: $7,415,720
- Number of employees: 0
The foundation operates with no employees, suggesting it is managed by external advisors or family members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,322 | $47,114 | $84,629 |
| Revenue | $9,624,192 | $7,418,203 | $6,770,196 |
| Expenses | $9,581,984 | $7,415,720 | $6,770,093 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,581,982 | $7,415,720 | $6,768,283 |
| Net Investment Income | $67 | $175 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $45,512 | $2,570 | $2,367 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Catholic Community Foundation ($1,687,200), Jesuit High School of New Orleans Foundation Inc ($1,000,000), Archbishop Rummel High School ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The American Association of the Order of St Lazarus Inc RIDGEFIELD, CT | To support the mission of the organization | $2,500 |
| Foundation for A Christian Civilization Inc Hanover, PA | To support the mission of the organization | $100 |
| Archbishop Rummel High School Metairie, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $500,000 |
| Archdiocesan Spirituality Center Metairie, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $1,000 |
| Association of the US Army Mandeville, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $5,000 |
| Bastion Community of Resilience New Orleans, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $250,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope New Orleans, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $5,000 |
| New Orleans Ballet Association New Orleans, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $13,500 |
| BRIDGE HOUSE CORPORATION New Orleans, LA | To support the mission of the organization | $3,000 |
| CAF America Alexandria, VA | To support the mission of the organization | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Gayle Benson serves as a board member of the Ochsner Health Foundation and Tulane University.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In summer 2024, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation established an endowed Gayle and Tom Benson Disaster Relief Fund in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to provide rapid financial support to first-responding nonprofits in advance of or response to disasters.
Foundation Announces $45,000 in Grants from the Gayle and Tom Benson DisasterIn January 2025, following the New Year's Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, the foundation distributed $45,000 in grants through the Disaster Relief Fund to six local nonprofits providing crisis response services:
Foundation Announces $45,000 in Grants from the Gayle and Tom Benson DisasterChildren's Bureau
National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Louisiana (NAMI SELA)
New Orleans Family Justice Center
The American Red Cross of Louisiana
Additional recipients
The Bensons have been major benefactors of Ochsner Health System, contributing $20 million in 2017 alone to expand the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center. The foundation has also supported the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at University of the Incarnate Word in Texas.
Foundation Announces $45,000 in Grants from the Gayle and Tom Benson DisasterSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Its funding interests include: • Healthcare • Education • Catholic organizations and causes • Social services • Children and youth • The arts and culture • The environment Types of support provided include general operating support and project support.
How do I apply for a grant from Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with significant annual giving. In 2023, the foundation made 33 grants totaling approximately $4.9 million in documented grants, with total giving reaching $7.4 million. Grant sizes vary considerably, ranging from approximately $100 to $2.6 million. Recent notable grants include: • $2.1 million to See Statement (2023) • $692,000 to Catholic Community Foundation Archdiocese of New Orleans (2023) • $500,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank Greater New Orleans and…
Where does Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, though it has also supported organizations in Texas, New York, and Virginia.
What size grants does Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation awarded 93 grants totaling $9.6M — an average of about $103K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $46K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0221908. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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