The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc
The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation is a private foundation established in 2000 and based in Audubon, Pennsylvania. The foundation is dedicated to making people aware of positive life choices and providing support and opportunities for those motivated to pursue them. It operates as a non-operating private foundation whose primary activity is making grants and contributions to other 501(c)(3) organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.8M
-2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$291K
-84.0% YoY
Grant Count
7
-63.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
-56.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $625K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on education, job training, mentoring programs, wellness-based health care, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes organizations and programs that demonstrate effectiveness through documented outcomes.
Core program areas include:
Lenfest Immensitas Scholars Program: Provides comprehensive support for youth aging out of foster care, covering room, board, books, computers, and dorm essentials. The program includes academic advising, a summer bridge program, housing and meals during school breaks, financial and money management guidance, and designated liaisons at each school. Scholars are funded at Harcum College, Penn College of Technology, Penn State, and West Chester University. Eligibility requires prior service by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services since age 16, a high school degree or GED, and qualification under the Chafee federal grant program for foster care participants.
Support for Mastery Charter Schools: Funding for a Philadelphia and Camden-based charter school network focused on ensuring students develop academic and personal skills needed for higher education and global economic competitiveness.
Grantmaking
For organizations not previously funded, the first step is a two to three-page letter of inquiry that may be submitted at any time. The letter should include:
Grant Range
s and Types**: Typical grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. The foundation considers requests for operating support, specific program or project support, and capital support.
How to Apply
**:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and programs operating in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on Philadelphia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,805,222
- Total Revenue: $902,762
- Total Expenses: $767,861
- Net Income: $134,901
- Total Liabilities: $81,400
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,805,222 | $13,151,551 | $14,117,845 |
| Revenue | $902,762 | $2,057,491 | $1,236,439 |
| Expenses | $767,861 | $660,776 | $1,181,935 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $572,426 | $500,082 | $1,285,439 |
| Net Investment Income | $516,974 | $1,870,825 | $1,225,189 |
| Distributable Amount | $624,949 | $702,800 | $746,771 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pennsylvania College of Technology ($124,162), Kimmel Center Inc ($50,000), Penn State University ($40,220).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AVENUE OF THE ARTS PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,000 |
| KIMMEL CENTER INC PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| NORTH10 PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| PENN STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,220 |
| PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY WILLIAMSPORT, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $124,162 |
| WISSAHICKON FOUNDATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees include Brook J. Lenfest, Marguerite B Lenfest, and Anna Lenfest.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BROOK J LENFEST | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| MARGUERITA B LENFEST | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| TRACY COYLE | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation launched the Lenfest Immensitas Scholars Program in partnership with the Philadelphia Foundation, a pioneering $1.8 million scholarship initiative designed to support youth aging out of foster care in pursuing higher education. The program represents a significant commitment to expanding educational opportunities for this vulnerable population across multiple Pennsylvania institutions.
Funder Feature: The Brook J. Lenfest FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission centers on education, job training, mentoring programs, wellness-based health care, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes organizations and programs that demonstrate effectiveness through documented outcomes. Core program areas include: • **Lenfest Immensitas Scholars Program**: Provides comprehensive support for youth aging out of foster care, covering room, board, books, computers, and dorm essentials. The program includes academic advising, a summer bridge program…
How do I apply for a grant from The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes and Types**: Typical grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. The foundation considers requests for operating support, specific program or project support, and capital support. **Application Process**: For organizations not previously funded, the first step is a two to three-page letter of inquiry that may be submitted at any time. The letter should include: • Total organization budget for the current year • Short and long-term outcomes information for the organization and/or specific…
Where does The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and programs operating in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on Philadelphia.
What size grants does The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc awarded 7 grants totaling $291K — an average of about $42K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $625K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-3031338. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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