LJ Bender Foundation
LJ Bender Foundation is a private foundation, based in Pennington, NJ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $6.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $333K. Net investment income was $440K.
LJ Bender Foundation at a glance
In short: LJ Bender Foundation gave $333K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), top state Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $333,000
- +17.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $37,000
- +43.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $6,049,997
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (47% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who LJ Bender Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jackson Hole Jewish Community ($100K). Together the top 9 received $333K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 37 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How LJ Bender Foundation gives
- Giving grew 146% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $136K (2022) to $333K (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $333K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole Jewish Community Jackson, WY | Unrestricted General | $100,000 |
| Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services Houston, TX | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
| Congregation Beth Yeshurun Houston, TX | Unrestricted General | $40,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Sky High for Kids Houston, TX | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Chabad of West Houston Inc Houston, TX | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Community Center for the Arts Jackson, WY | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Grand Teton National Park Foundation Jackson, WY | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Beth Yeshurun Cemetery Association Houston, TX | Unrestricted General | $18,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,049,997 | $510,909 | $390,391 | $333,000 | 9 | $354,064 | $439,778 | $339,136 |
| 2024 | $5,928,505 | $445,194 | $342,548 | $284,294 | 11 | $304,984 | $371,535 | $327,620 |
| 2023 | $5,824,541 | $446,144 | $331,681 | $285,000 | 7 | $303,939 | $374,747 | $303,469 |
| 2022 | $5,714,422 | $298,583 | $183,058 | $135,586 | 5 | $155,877 | $242,622 | $305,055 |
| 2021 | $5,603,952 | $1,203,795 | $242,244 | $145,000 | 5 | $170,059 | $1,143,077 | $305,756 |
| 2020 | $4,644,666 | $1,611,757 | $254,825 | $223,000 | 7 | — | $586,774 | $234,065 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, LJ Bender Foundation reported a distributable amount of $339K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
LJ Bender Foundation is led by Joel A. Bender, President & Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joel A. Bender
President & Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa A. Bender
V. President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa A. Bender
V. President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 LJ Bender Foundation
How much does LJ Bender Foundation give each year?
LJ Bender Foundation gave $333K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $284K across 11 grants.
What is LJ Bender Foundation's typical grant size?
LJ Bender Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $37,000, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does LJ Bender Foundation give grants?
LJ Bender Foundation's top state is Texas, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Wyoming (45%) and New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (5 grants) and Jackson, WY (3 grants).
Does LJ Bender Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of LJ Bender Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are LJ Bender Foundation's largest grantees?
LJ Bender Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jackson Hole Jewish Community ($100,000), Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services ($50,000) and Congregation Beth Yeshurun ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is LJ Bender Foundation?
LJ Bender Foundation reported $6.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $354K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $339K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is LJ Bender Foundation's EIN?
LJ Bender Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4017170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
Live grants for the work LJ Bender Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in LJ Bender Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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