L O Benton Banking Foundation
The L O Benton Banking Foundation is a private foundation based in Eatonton, Georgia. It reports making charitable and educational contributions to worthwhile causes and awarded grants to organizations in Georgia and other states in 2024.
L O Benton Banking Foundation at a glance
In short: L O Benton Banking Foundation gave $335K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Georgia. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $335,450
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -4.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,585
- +2.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,250
- Total assets
- $6,369,207
- -4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (6 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (69% 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 L O Benton Banking 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: P O Box 4450, Eatonton, GA 31024
Phone: (706) 485-9941
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who L O Benton Banking Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Albany TX ($100K). Together the top 10 received $319K.
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 104 grants of 130 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia, 30% to recipients in Texas, and 1% to recipients in New Jersey. The filing also lists recipient shares of 0% for Tennessee and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Is L O Benton Banking Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 23 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 39% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 67% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 73% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $335K (2024) to $1.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $335K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Albany TX Albany, TX | Donation | $100,250 |
| Jasper Memorial Hospital Monticello, GA | Donation | $100,000 |
| Plaza Arts Center Eatonton, GA | Donation | $30,000 |
| Monticello Fumc Monticello, GA | Donation | $25,000 |
| Artisans Village Eatonton, GA | Donation | $20,000 |
| Marshall Memorial Church Eatonton, GA | Donation | $20,000 |
| Ga Writers Museum Eatonton, GA | Donation | $10,000 |
| Eatonton Putnam Chamber of Commerce Eatonton, GA | Donatioin | $5,500 |
| Putnam General Hospital Eatonton, GA | Donation | $5,000 |
| Old Jail Arts Center Eatonton, GA | Donation | $3,600 |
Ready to take the next step with L O Benton Banking 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 | $6,369,207 | $48,903 | $336,984 | $335,450 | 23 | $335,450 | $48,903 | $457,679 |
| 2023 | $6,646,406 | $72,521 | $467,437 | $340,641 | 24 | $340,641 | $72,521 | $317,932 |
| 2022 | $7,041,322 | $-3,449,594 | $985,406 | $748,087 | 38 | $748,087 | $6,655 | $454,971 |
| 2021 | $11,476,322 | $1,051,793 | $1,022,556 | $1,020,019 | 29 | $1,020,019 | $1,051,793 | $784,315 |
| 2020 | $11,447,085 | $-699,738 | $884,189 | $836,460 | 16 | — | $137,915 | $664,584 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, L O Benton Banking Foundation reported a distributable amount of $458K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its direct charitable activity as “charitable and educational contributions to worthwhile causes.” Its 2024 grants included support for a hospital, arts organizations, a church, a chamber of commerce, a school, and other organizations.
Some grantees describe their missions as follows: the Eatonton Putnam Chamber of Commerce says it promotes the community and the economic welfare and growth of member businesses; Habitat for Humanity says it seeks to eliminate poverty housing and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action; and Piedmont Academy says it develops students’ minds, bodies, and spirits in a safe, moral environment. Pilot International describes its mission as influencing positive change through friendship and service, with a focus on brain safety and health and support for caregivers. The National Fire Safety Council says it provides fire and life-safety education to help prevent accidents and save lives.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $335,450. Grants ranged from $250 to $100,250, with a median of $2,250. Among its largest grants were $100,250 to the City of Albany TX, $100,000 to Jasper Memorial Hospital, $30,000 to Plaza Arts Center, $25,000 to Monticello FUMC, and $20,000 each to Artisans Village and Marshall Memorial Church.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lurner O Benton IV and Nancy T Benton as directors.
L O Benton Banking Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lurner O. Benton IV
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nancy T. Benton
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about L O Benton Banking Foundation
How much does L O Benton Banking Foundation give each year?
L O Benton Banking Foundation gave $335K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $341K across 24 grants.
What is L O Benton Banking Foundation's typical grant size?
L O Benton Banking Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,250, and its average grant was $14,585, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from L O Benton Banking Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does L O Benton Banking Foundation give grants?
L O Benton Banking Foundation gives mostly in Georgia: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Eatonton, GA (13 grants), Monticello, GA (3 grants) and Greensboro, GA (2 grants).
Does L O Benton Banking Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on L O Benton Banking Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (22 grants).
Who are L O Benton Banking Foundation's largest grantees?
L O Benton Banking Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include City of Albany TX ($100,250), Jasper Memorial Hospital ($100,000) and Plaza Arts Center ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is L O Benton Banking Foundation?
L O Benton Banking Foundation reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $335K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $458K (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 does L O Benton Banking Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its direct charitable activity as “charitable and educational contributions to worthwhile causes.” Its 2024 grants included support for a hospital, arts organizations, a church, a chamber of commerce, a school, and other organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from L O Benton Banking 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 L O Benton Banking Foundation's EIN?
L O Benton Banking Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2568248. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does L O Benton Banking 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work L O Benton Banking Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). L O Benton Banking Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/l-o-benton-banking-foundation-morg_9d03dffc14454a53a50911172eb24a3e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_582568248_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{L O Benton Banking Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/l-o-benton-banking-foundation-morg_9d03dffc14454a53a50911172eb24a3e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 L O Benton Banking 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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