The Benjamin Foundation
The Benjamin Foundation is a private foundation based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its 2024 filing reports 15 grants totaling $894,000, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Utah.
The Benjamin Foundation at a glance
In short: The Benjamin Foundation gave $894K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), mostly in Utah. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $894,000
- +149.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $59,600
- +132.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,146,397
- -4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Utah (93% 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 The Benjamin Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 273 North East Capitol Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Phone: (801) 598-2389
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Benjamin Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Foundation Escalera ($600K). Together the top 10 received $877K.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 67 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Utah, 6% to Colorado, and 2% to California. These percentages total 101%, as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Benjamin Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $101K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 155% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 544% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $253K (2020) to $894K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $894K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Escalera Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $600,000 |
| O2 Utah Foundation Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $100,000 |
| Wilderness Workshop Carbondale, CO | Charitable Causes | $50,000 |
| Wonderbloom Murray, UT | Charitable Causes | $42,000 |
| Salt Lake Choral Artists Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $20,000 |
| Seven Canyons Trust Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $20,000 |
| BYU Equitable Education Provo, UT | Charitable Causes | $15,000 |
| BYU Hawaii LDS Philanthropies Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $10,000 |
| Fight Against Domestic Violence Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable Causes | $10,000 |
| Uc San Diego Foundation La Jolla, CA | Charitable Causes | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Benjamin 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 | $3,146,397 | $861,963 | $1,002,587 | $894,000 | 15 | $894,000 | $374,060 | $164,295 |
| 2023 | $3,281,331 | $946,630 | $434,660 | $358,750 | 14 | $358,750 | $156,885 | $143,264 |
| 2022 | $2,769,361 | $1,252,813 | $320,242 | $258,185 | 12 | $258,185 | $33,902 | $95,564 |
| 2021 | $1,836,790 | $843,983 | $436,939 | $351,054 | 15 | $351,054 | $349,317 | $89,784 |
| 2020 | $1,401,916 | $629,553 | $289,408 | $253,046 | 11 | — | $414,320 | $75,315 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Benjamin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $164K 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants went to organizations whose stated missions include expanding educational opportunity for marginalized youth, environmental protection, music performances, domestic-violence survivor support, and research and public service.
For example, Foundation Escalera says it works to expand economic opportunity for marginalized youth in Chiapas and Oaxaca through educational policies and programs. O2 Utah Foundation describes itself as dedicated to a greener Utah, while Wilderness Workshop says it works to protect western Colorado’s public lands, water, and wildlife.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $894,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
The largest grants included $600,000 to Foundation Escalera, $100,000 to O2 Utah Foundation, $50,000 to Wilderness Workshop, and $42,000 to Wonderbloom. Other reported grants included $20,000 each to Salt Lake Choral Artists and Seven Canyons Trust; $15,000 to BYU Equitable Education; and $10,000 each to BYU Hawaii LDS Philanthropies, Fight Against Domestic Violence, and UC San Diego Foundation. The filing also lists $5,500 to Mark Garbett for literature and education and $5,000 to Family Promise of Ogden.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bryson D Garbett, Jan Garbett, and David Garbett as directors; Jeff Garbett, Mark Garbett, Bryson C Garbett, Sam Garbett, and Mary Garbett as board members; Paul Garbett as board president; and Ann Garbett as manager.
The Benjamin Foundation is led by Paul Garbett, Board President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul Garbett
Board President
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryson C. Garbett
Director & Board Member
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Garbett
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jan Garbett
Director
On filings since 2020
7.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Garbett
Manager
On filings since 2020
14 hrs/week
$27K (2022) → $40K (2024)
Jeff Garbett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Garbett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Garbett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sam Garbett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $40K, to Ann Garbett (Manager).
Frequently asked questions about The Benjamin Foundation
How much does The Benjamin Foundation give each year?
The Benjamin Foundation gave $894K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $359K across 14 grants.
What is The Benjamin Foundation's typical grant size?
The Benjamin Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $59,600, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Benjamin Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does The Benjamin Foundation give grants?
The Benjamin Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (7 grants).
Does The Benjamin Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on The Benjamin Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Causes" (14 grants).
Who are The Benjamin Foundation's largest grantees?
The Benjamin Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Foundation Escalera ($600,000), O2 Utah Foundation ($100,000) and Wilderness Workshop ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Benjamin Foundation?
The Benjamin Foundation reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $894K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $164K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Benjamin Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Benjamin Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Benjamin Foundation's EIN?
The Benjamin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0679599. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Benjamin 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
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Benjamin Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Benjamin Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-benjamin-foundation-morg_b1b02b2b891d457d91f2f2a691992c3a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870679599_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Benjamin Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-benjamin-foundation-morg_b1b02b2b891d457d91f2f2a691992c3a},
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 The Benjamin 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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