Henson Benson Foundation
Henson Benson Foundation is a private foundation, based in Malvern, AR. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $2.6M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 8 grants totaling $36K. Net investment income was $42K.
Henson Benson Foundation at a glance
In short: Henson Benson Foundation gave $36K across 8 grants in 2026 (avg $5K), mostly in Arkansas. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $36,100
- +100.0% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 8
- -11.1% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $4,513
- +125.0% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,568,829
- +90.9% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who Henson Benson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Arkansas State University System Foundation ($11K across 2 grants). Together the top 6 received $36K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($300), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 40 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Henson Benson Foundation gives
- Giving grew 81% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 35% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2020) to $36K (2026). In 2026 it made 8 grants totaling $36K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University System Foundation Jonesboro, AR | Donation to Name Ritz Balcony | $10,000 |
| Access Fayetteville, AR | Operating Support | $5,000 |
| University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR | Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Operating Support | $5,000 |
| University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR | Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR | Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Arkansas State University System Foundation Jonesboro, AR | Operating Support | $800 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $300 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,568,829 | $1,233,982 | $100,717 | $36,100 | 8 | $38,125 | $41,962 | $107,431 |
| 2025 | $1,345,814 | $908,982 | $55,266 | $18,046 | 9 | $18,921 | — | $24,087 |
| 2024 | $486,604 | $62,405 | $46,195 | $16,600 | 8 | $17,335 | — | $19,679 |
| 2023 | $454,575 | $88,295 | $53,270 | $20,000 | 8 | $20,600 | $23,974 | $19,673 |
| 2022 | $419,550 | $12,872 | $41,897 | $16,500 | 7 | $17,250 | — | $21,370 |
| 2021 | $448,575 | $-7,844 | $35,344 | — | — | — | $563 | $18,026 |
| 2020 | $117,842 | $23,591 | $21,133 | $7,500 | 3 | — | — | $832 |
| 2019 | $115,131 | $17,427 | $14,609 | — | — | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Henson Benson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $107K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Henson Benson Foundation is led by Marion Gibson, Director, President & Treasurer since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 8 of 9 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Marion Gibson
Director, President & Treasurer
Director → President, 2021
President → Director, President & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$7K (2021) → $7K (2026)
Alan McClain
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2023) → $1K (2026)
Cecilia Ashcraft
Director & Board of Director's Counsel
Director & Counsel → Director & Board of Director's Counsel, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $1K (2026)
Deborah Smith
Director & Secretary
Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $1K (2026)
John Adamson
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $0 (2026)
Samuel Bryant
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $1K (2026)
Clare Graham
Director
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2026)
Jonathan Redic
Director
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2026)
Vergina Smith
Director
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
$1K (2026)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Bonnie Adams (2021–2025) — Director
- Former: Nikki Benson (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jewell Willis (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $7K, to Marion Gibson (DIRECTOR,PRESIDENT & Treasurer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Henson Benson Foundation
How much does Henson Benson Foundation give each year?
Henson Benson Foundation gave $36K across 8 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $18K across 9 grants.
What is Henson Benson Foundation's typical grant size?
Henson Benson Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,513, across 8 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Henson Benson Foundation give grants?
Henson Benson Foundation gives mostly in Arkansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jonesboro, AR (2 grants), Fayetteville, AR (2 grants) and Arkadelphia, AR (2 grants).
Does Henson Benson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Henson Benson Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Henson Benson Foundation's largest grantees?
Henson Benson Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Arkansas State University System Foundation ($10,800 across 2 grants), Access ($5,000) and University of Central Arkansas ($5,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($300), which are not listed by name. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Henson Benson Foundation?
Henson Benson Foundation reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $38K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $107K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Henson Benson Foundation's EIN?
Henson Benson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3494283. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS May 29, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 2, 2023)
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