Happy Difference Foundation is a private foundation based in Montchanin, Delaware. Also known as the Ellen and Alan Levin Family Foundation, it was established in 2006 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation focuses on grantmaking to support nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
+5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$280K
+10.1% YoY
Grant Count
39
-11.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+24.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Happy Difference Foundation reported a distributable amount of $272K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, its grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation provides program assistance grants to its grantees.
Grant Range
$250–$62,500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Delaware and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total assets: $3,936,154
- Total revenues: $519,608
- Total expenses: $330,636
- Investment income and dividends: $105,020
- Total grants, contributions, etc.: $9,332
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,936,154 | $3,747,182 | $3,835,080 |
| Revenue | $519,608 | $207,346 | $128,280 |
| Expenses | $330,636 | $295,244 | $312,880 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $279,775 | $254,000 | $252,450 |
| Net Investment Income | $459,415 | $219,917 | $67,850 |
| Distributable Amount | $271,698 | $254,474 | $265,288 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Congregation Beth Shalom ($62,500), Community Education Building ($25,000), Food Bank of Delaware ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION FOR DELAWARE'S CHILDREN WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $7,500 |
| ARCHMERE ACADEMY CLAYMONT, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $1,000 |
| B FOUNDATION WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $1,000 |
| BEAU BIDEN FOUNDATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $2,000 |
| CAPE HENELOPEN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION LEWES, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $1,000 |
| CHILD INC WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $1,000 |
| CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST HOCKESSIN, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $9,000 |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER DOVER, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $2,000 |
| CHRISTIANA CARE HEALTH SYSTEM WILMINGTON, DE | PROGRAM ASSISTANCE | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN K LEVIN | PRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECT | — | — |
| ALAN B LEVIN | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY/D | — | — |
| ANDREW G LEVIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DANIEL B LEVIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JASON S LEVIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JESSICA M LEVIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LAUREN A LEVIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 320 Montchanin, DE 19710
EIN: 20-5679477
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Happy Difference Foundation fund?
The foundation does not have a publicly stated mission statement on record. However, its grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Happy Difference Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 42 grants in the most recent fiscal year (2024) • Total giving: $279,775 • Typical grant range: $250–$62,500 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Congregation Beth Shalom: $62,500 (Program Assistance) • The Ministry of Caring: $25,000 (Program Assistance) • West End Neighborhood House: $25,000 (Program Assistance) • Additional 26 grants totaling $242,550 The foundation provides program assistance grants to its grantees.
Where does Happy Difference Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Delaware and Michigan.
What size grants does Happy Difference Foundation award?
In 2024, Happy Difference Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $280K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Happy Difference Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Happy Difference Foundation reported a distributable amount of $272K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Happy Difference Foundation's EIN?
Happy Difference Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5679477. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Happy Difference Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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