Newman W Benson Foundation
The Newman W Benson Foundation is a private foundation based in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Its 2021 filing is marked as a final return, and the foundation stated that it sold its marketable securities and mutual funds and distributed the resulting cash to qualifying public charities. It therefore appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Newman W Benson Foundation at a glance
In short: Newman W Benson Foundation gave $611K across 22 grants in 2021 (avg $28K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 55% of 2021 grantees were new. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $611,282
- +1871.9% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 22
- +83.3% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $27,786
- +975.6% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (12 of 22, 2021; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Newman W Benson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. The filing lists no application form and says there are no deadlines; these details are from the foundation’s final return and should not be treated as a current application process. The filing states that eligible organizations are in the United States or its possessions, with special consideration for organizations benefiting residents of Towanda, Pennsylvania, and Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the final filing; this is not a current application cycle.
- Deadline
- None listed on the final filing; this is not a current application cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 873 Wesauking Drive, Towanda, PA 18848-7550
Phone: (570) 265-3498
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Newman W Benson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was SS Peter and Paul Church ($500K). Together the top 10 received $581K.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 54 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2021 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The filing states that special consideration is given to organizations benefiting residents of Towanda and Bradford County, while also allowing organizations in the United States or its possessions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Newman W Benson Foundation open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2021
In 2021, 12 of 22 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 23% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2021). 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 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2019) to $611K (2021). In 2021 it made 22 grants totaling $611K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SS Peter and Paul Church Towanda, PA | Donation | $500,000 |
| Epiphany School Sayre, PA | Donation | $20,000 |
| North Rome Christian School Rome, PA | Donation | $10,250 |
| West Warren Congregational Church Rome, PA | Donation | $10,000 |
| French Azilum Historical Society Towanda, PA | Donation | $10,000 |
| Scranton Diocesan Annual Appeal Scranton, PA | Donation | $10,000 |
| Towanda Lions Club Towanda, PA | Donation | $5,700 |
| Endless Mountains Mission Center Troy, PA | Donation | $5,044 |
| Christ Episcopal Church Pottsville, PA | Donation | $5,000 |
| Towanda Christian Outreach Food Pantry Wysox, PA | Donation | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Newman W Benson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $207,041 | $615,897 | $611,282 | 22 | $611,282 | $202,873 | $17,613 |
| 2020 | $408,856 | $30,392 | $44,953 | $31,000 | 12 | — | $25,392 | $23,420 |
| 2019 | $423,417 | $31,963 | $43,912 | $30,000 | 20 | — | $26,991 | $24,105 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Newman W Benson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for churches, schools, community organizations, and other charitable organizations.
Among the recipients, North Rome Christian School described its mission as providing K–12 education. Bradford County Humane Society described its mission as caring for, sheltering, and placing abandoned, abused, and neglected animals in Bradford and Sullivan counties, as well as providing humane education, programs, and services to the community and pet owners.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation made 22 grants totaling $611,282. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Notable recipients included SS Peter and Paul Church in Towanda ($500,000), Epiphany School in Sayre ($20,000), North Rome Christian School in Rome ($10,250), West Warren Congregational Church in Rome ($10,000), French Azilum Historical Society in Towanda ($10,000), and Scranton Diocesan Annual Appeal ($10,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Patricia Benson as President and Robert Salpino as Treasurer.
Newman W Benson Foundation is led by Patricia Benson, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Patricia Benson
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Salpino
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "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 Newman W Benson Foundation
How much does Newman W Benson Foundation give each year?
Newman W Benson Foundation gave $611K across 22 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $31K across 12 grants.
What is Newman W Benson Foundation's typical grant size?
Newman W Benson Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $5,000, and its average grant was $27,786, across 22 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Newman W Benson Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Newman W Benson Foundation give grants?
Newman W Benson Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Towanda, PA (8 grants), Rome, PA (3 grants), Ulster, PA (2 grants) and Wysox TWP, PA (2 grants).
Does Newman W Benson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Newman W Benson Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (22 grants).
Who are Newman W Benson Foundation's largest grantees?
Newman W Benson Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include SS Peter and Paul Church ($500,000), Epiphany School ($20,000) and North Rome Christian School ($10,250), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Newman W Benson Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for churches, schools, community organizations, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Newman W Benson Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Newman W Benson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Newman W Benson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Newman W Benson Foundation's EIN?
Newman W Benson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1387370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Does Newman W Benson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 2, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work Newman W Benson Foundation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Newman W Benson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Newman W and Patricia a Benson
Spring, TX
Assets
$499K
Grants
4
Total Given
$90K
United Way of Bradford County
Towanda, PA
United Way of Bradford County funds local programs addressing education, health, financial stability, and community needs such as hunger, housing, childcare, and mental health. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $30,000, with a median of $11,750, and went mostly to Pennsylvania organizations, with some support in New York. The profile describes an annual allocation process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$980K
Grants
26
Total Given
$386K
The Albright Foundation
Brookline, MA
The Albright Foundation supports children and people with disabilities, including youth education and community organizations; its 2025 grants went mainly to Massachusetts recipients, with some funding in Maine. Its three 2025 grants totaled $21,252, ranging from $1,000 to $18,752, and it accepts requests only from preselected charities, not unsolicited applicants. The foundation adopted a plan to terminate in 2025.
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$21K
Ernest G & Cecil B Williams
Birmingham, AL
The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including healthcare, education, religious, and community groups, primarily in Alabama and also in Texas. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $15,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$269K
Grants
13
Total Given
$54K
Margaret CB & S Spencer N Brown
Temple, TX
The foundation supports maintenance of three historical cemeteries and gives to charities working in areas such as food assistance, homelessness, history, arts, and human trafficking response. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $5,000; most funding went to Texas, followed by Washington, Virginia, and Mississippi. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.4M
Grants
18
Total Given
$163K
Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Foundation
Wyalusing, PA
Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Foundation supports community needs, including fire and emergency services, food assistance, churches, and other nonprofits, with most funding going to Pennsylvania organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $10,000, with a median award of $1,000. It accepts written requests describing the proposed use of funds and confirming the applicant’s tax-exempt status; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
73
Total Given
$93K
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Newman W Benson 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.
Newman W Benson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?