The Chestnut Foundation
The Chestnut Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Lawrence, New York. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on philanthropic activities.
Key facts about The Chestnut Foundation
- EIN
- 46-3001070
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $813,257
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- Average grant
- $23,919
- Median grant
- $3,300
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (15 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Chestnut Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Chestnut Foundation's 34 itemized 2024 grants were New York (70%), New Jersey (15%) and California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (8 grants), Monsey, NY (4 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Lakewood, NJ (3 grants). None of its 34 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Public Support of Organization Mission" (34 grants).
Is The Chestnut Foundation open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 34 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $7K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Chestnut Foundation
- How to evaluate The Chestnut Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$813K
+55.0% YoY
Grant Count
34
-10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+73.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation primarily directs its funding toward New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data are available but specific figures were not disclosed in the sources
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Chestnut Foundation directs its grants primarily to organizations in:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Illinois
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 34 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $10.9 million
- Total Revenue: $1.23 million
- Total Expenses: $698,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $11,031,383
- Total Giving: $813,257
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Yeshiva Ohavei Torah ($347,550), Gateways Organization Inc ($113,350), Bnos Bais Yaakov ($100,680).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YESHIVA OHAVEI TORAH Bronx, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $347,550 |
| GATEWAYS ORGANIZATION INC Monsey, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $113,350 |
| BNOS BAIS YAAKOV Lakewood, NJ | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $100,680 |
| YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $60,000 |
| CONG AHAVAS TORAH V'CHESED Philadelphia, PA | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $57,000 |
| CONG MIKDASH DOVID Monsey, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $20,000 |
| YESHIVA UNIVERSITY New York, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $20,000 |
| HASHEVAYNU Queens, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $15,000 |
| YESHIVA DARCHEI TORAH Queens, NY | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $12,500 |
| CONGREGATION KHAL CHASIDIM OF LAWRENCE Lawrence, NJ | PUBLIC SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $12,140 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Kest | President | 20 | $92,743 |
| Asher Kest | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Rachel Lorber | Secretary | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Chestnut Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation primarily directs its funding toward New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
How do I apply for a grant from The Chestnut Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $47 to $409,560 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data are available but specific figures were not disclosed in the sources **Recent Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $813,257 • The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program across its priority areas
Where does The Chestnut Foundation make grants?
The Chestnut Foundation directs its grants primarily to organizations in: • New York • New Jersey • Illinois
What size grants does The Chestnut Foundation award?
In 2024, The Chestnut Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $813K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Chestnut Foundation's EIN?
The Chestnut Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3001070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.