Larry Benaroya Family Foundation
The Larry Benaroya Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2006 and based in Mercer Island, Washington. The foundation was created by commercial real estate executive Larry Benaroya and his wife Sherry. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a grantmaking entity focused on supporting organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.2M
-37.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.5M
+626.2% YoY
Grant Count
25
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$459K
+626.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Larry Benaroya Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philanthropic priorities reflect the family's personal values and experiences. Primary funding areas include:
- Health and Medical Research — Particularly diabetes research, driven by their son Michael's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 1986
- Education
- Arts and Culture
- Jewish Causes
- Human Services — Including homeless shelters, food banks, and accessibility services
Grantmaking
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via written letter of inquiry sent by mail to the foundation's address.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $500,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Larry Benaroya Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Seattle and Washington metropolitan area, with some giving extending to California and Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $25,949,548
- Total Revenue: $1,006,743
- Total Expenses: $1,796,888
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,152,382 | $25,949,548 | $26,739,693 |
| Revenue | $1,697,463 | $1,006,743 | $15,228,469 |
| Expenses | $11,494,629 | $1,796,888 | $376,775 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,470,570 | $1,579,500 | $373,750 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,697,090 | $1,407,693 | $15,006,753 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,175,696 | $1,233,040 | $483,343 |
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
113 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Prostate Cancer Foundation ($10,000,000), Bellevue Lifespring ($500,000), Barrow Neurological Foundation ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $250,000 |
| BELLEVUE LIFESPRING BELLEVUE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $500,000 |
| BELLEVUE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BELLEVUE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| BERTSCHI SCHOOL SEATTLE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| CHABAD AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SEATTLE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $30,000 |
| COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION ISSAQUAH, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $150,000 |
| FEEDING FEASIBLE FEASTS EDGEWOOD, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $30,000 |
| FRED HUTCH SEATTLE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $50,000 |
| GREATER TACOMA CHRISTIAN LAYMAN'S OUTREACH-GTCLO TACOMA, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Larry R. Benaroya — President (serves without compensation as of 2023)
The foundation is registered with Robert Brigham serving as the registered agent.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARRY R BENAROYA | PRESIDENT | 6 | — |
| SHERRY-LEE BENAROYA | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BROOKE E DICKSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL J BENAROYA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been recognized for its transformative impact on diabetes research fundraising. In 2023 and 2024, the foundation supported the Seattle Symphony's Community Stages Fund, which provides local organizations with opportunities to perform at Benaroya Hall. The foundation's connection to the Seattle arts community reflects the broader Benaroya family legacy—Larry's father Jack Benaroya donated $15.8 million to build Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony.
THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES FIVE RECIPIENTS OF THE COMMUNITY STAGES FUND\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Larry Benaroya Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's philanthropic priorities reflect the family's personal values and experiences. Primary funding areas include: • **Health and Medical Research** — Particularly diabetes research, driven by their son Michael's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 1986 • **Education** • **Arts and Culture** • **Jewish Causes** • **Human Services** — Including homeless shelters, food banks, and accessibility services
How do I apply for a grant from Larry Benaroya Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $1.6 million (2023: $1,579,500) • Number of grants: 18-25 grants per year • Grant range: $1,000 to $500,000 • Typical awards: $150,000–$500,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • University of Washington Foundation — $250,000 (unrestricted) • Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) — $150,000 (unrestricted) • Museum of Glass — $150,000 (unrestricted) • JDRF Seattle Guild (among other recipients) **Application Process:** Applications ar…
Where does Larry Benaroya Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Seattle and Washington metropolitan area, with some giving extending to California and Oregon.
What size grants does Larry Benaroya Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Larry Benaroya Family Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $11.5M — an average of about $459K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Larry Benaroya Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Larry Benaroya Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Larry Benaroya Family Foundation's EIN?
Larry Benaroya Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3890382. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Larry Benaroya Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Thurgood Marshall PTA
SEATTLE, WA
Assets
$186K
Grants
1
Total Given
$224K
The Hare Bnb Rescue Spa and Boutique
LACEY, WA
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400
Meadowdale Junior Football
EDMONDS, WA
Assets
$12K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Cmr Foundation
STANWOOD, WA
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$1.5M
Sequim Masonic Lodge Foundation
CARLSBORG, WA
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$30K
Foundation House at Northgate
GIG HARBOR, WA
Assets
$223K
Grants
16
Total Given
$159K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Larry Benaroya Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Larry Benaroya Family Foundation to a real strategy.