Justamere Foundation
The Justamere Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It supports organizations and programs working to remove barriers to self-sufficiency, with a focus on trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education.
Justamere Foundation at a glance
In short: Justamere Foundation gave $4.4M across 136 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,363,978
- +12.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 136
- +0.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,088
- +11.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $21,984,107
- -13.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (30 of 98, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Justamere Foundation
- 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 for funds. Its filing directs applicants to its website for forms and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. The foundation’s website invites organizations to describe their programs and recommends connecting with the foundation before applying to determine whether a program fits its mission.
- Contact
Application contact: Lori Cushman
Mailing address: 55 Walls Drive Suite 302, Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: (800) 839-0054
Website: https://justamerefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Justamere Foundation
Who Justamere Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Williamson College of the Trades ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($69,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
428 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 347 grants of 428 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it supports organizations across Pennsylvania. Its filing describes its primary service area as the shoulder counties around Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; the remaining reported shares were New Jersey, New York, and California at 2% each, and Virginia at 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 136 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Justamere Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 30 of 98 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 652% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 401% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $580K (2021) to $4.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 136 grants totaling $4.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Williamson College of the Trades Media, PA | Scholarship fund | $500,000 |
| Valor Clinic Foundation Brodheadsvlle, PA | General & Unrestricted | $304,820 |
| The Harrisburg Area Community College Foundation Lancaster, PA | Certified workforce training for HACC's military and veteran students in need fund | $101,247 |
| Chester County Community Foundation Inc West Chester, PA | AHHAH Chester County Imagination Library Fund | $100,000 |
| Mission Edge San Diego San Diego, CA | TFM Cybersecurity Scholarship fund - Fusion Cyber - Lincoln University scholarship fund | $100,000 |
| Montgomery County Community College Foundation Blue Bell, PA | MontcoWorks Apprenticeship Program | $100,000 |
| Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA | Chester Children's Chorus Summer Learning Program | $100,000 |
| Chester County Iu 24 Downingtown, PA | Trade School Scholarship Fund | $90,000 |
| Uwchlan Ambulance Corps Inc Exton, PA | Scholarship Fund for Training Institute | $88,000 |
| Delaware County Community College Educational Foun Media, PA | Teacher Education Program | $86,905 |
Ready to take the next step with Justamere 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,984,107 | $1,479,975 | $5,007,932 | $4,363,978 | 136 | $4,728,193 | $986,028 | $1,179,622 |
| 2023 | $25,512,064 | $1,283,618 | $4,597,633 | $3,896,013 | 135 | $4,252,989 | $920,835 | $1,329,240 |
| 2022 | $28,826,079 | $2,071,033 | $4,032,882 | $3,237,468 | 109 | $3,541,476 | $7,949,713 | $1,054,042 |
| 2021 | $30,787,928 | $31,487,837 | $699,909 | $580,050 | 48 | $699,869 | $16,925,797 | $353,274 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Justamere Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to remove barriers that prevent hard-working people from achieving self-sufficiency and family-sustaining income. Its website describes support for underserved needs through grants, non-traditional scholarships, and connections to resources. Its four areas of focus are trade education, veterans resources, childhood literacy, and arts education. Examples of barriers it addresses include gaps in scholarship funding and the cost of tools, uniforms, or other necessities needed to complete training.
Grantees include educational institutions, community foundations, veterans-service organizations, and other community organizations. For example, Williamson College of the Trades describes its mission as preparing young men to be leaders and productive members of society; Valor Clinic Foundation says it helps veterans navigate recovery and rebuilding; and Chester County Community Foundation says it connects people who care with causes that matter. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 136 grants totaling $4,363,978. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median grant of $20,000.
Among its larger 2024 grants were $500,000 to Williamson College of the Trades for a scholarship fund; $304,820 to Valor Clinic Foundation for general and unrestricted purposes; and $101,247 to the Harrisburg Area Community College Foundation for certified workforce training for military and veteran students in need. Other awards included $100,000 each to Chester County Community Foundation for the an individual recipient County Imagination Library Fund, Montgomery County Community College Foundation for its apprenticeship program, and Swarthmore College for the Chester Children’s Chorus Summer Learning Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Casey A. Bentley, Raymond B. Bentley, and Shelby L. Bentley as directors; Therese G. Bentley as secretary and director; and Lori Cushman as president, treasurer, and director.
Justamere Foundation is led by Lori Cushman, Director, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lori Cushman
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$87K (2021) → $125K (2024)
Shelby L Bentley
Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$53K (2022) → $80K (2024)
Casey A Bentley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond B Bentley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Therese G Bentley
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $125K, to Lori Cushman (Dir, Pres, Treas). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Justamere Foundation
How much does Justamere Foundation give each year?
Justamere Foundation gave $4.4M across 136 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.9M across 135 grants.
What is Justamere Foundation's typical grant size?
Justamere Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $32,088, across 136 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Justamere Foundation that year got $27K on average.
Where does Justamere Foundation give grants?
Justamere Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were West Chester, PA (14 grants), Philadelphia, PA (12 grants), Phoenixville, PA (10 grants) and Media, PA (7 grants).
Does Justamere Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Justamere Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 136) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Event" (17 grants).
Who are Justamere Foundation's largest grantees?
Justamere Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Williamson College of the Trades ($500,000), Valor Clinic Foundation ($304,820) and The Harrisburg Area Community College Foundation ($201,247 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($69,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Justamere Foundation?
Justamere Foundation reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Justamere Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to remove barriers that prevent hard-working people from achieving self-sufficiency and family-sustaining income. Its website describes support for underserved needs through grants, non-traditional scholarships, and connections to resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Justamere Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Justamere Foundation's EIN?
Justamere Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2670774. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Justamere Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Justamere Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/justamere-foundation-morg_529f1875820749ed9f7b57adc5be8404
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_862670774_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Justamere Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/justamere-foundation-morg_529f1875820749ed9f7b57adc5be8404},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Justamere 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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