The LendingTree Foundation logo

The LendingTree Foundation

CHARLOTTE, NC EIN: 32-0543562 Website

The LendingTree Foundation is a corporate foundation based in Charlotte, North Carolina, established in 2018. It is a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation affiliated with LendingTree, Inc. The Foundation operates as part of LendaHand, a broader corporate philanthropy initiative that encompasses corporate giving programs, employee charitable benefits, and foundation grants.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.5M

-6.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$73K

-95.3% YoY

Grant Count

190

+804.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$382.421

-99.5% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The LendingTree Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation practices a trust-based model of philanthropy, emphasizing relational rather than transactional partnerships with nonprofit organizations. According to the Foundation, this approach means "empowering organizations and individuals with whatever support they need, so that we can amplify their voices over our own."

Primary funding areas include:

  • Financial Education: Advancement of financial education for individuals, businesses, and communities
  • Community Development: Support for innovative nonprofit programs addressing community needs
  • Capacity Building: Technical assistance and business expertise for nonprofit partners

Grantmaking

Recent grant data shows:

Ready to take the next step with The LendingTree Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Foundation primarily funds organizations in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on the Charlotte area. Additional giving extends to Washington and Colorado.

Grant Distribution by State

28states
+20 more states

Cities

AlbanyAlbuquerqueArlingtonArvadaAshevilleAustinBaltimoreBarium SpringsBellevueBelmontBentonvilleBooneBothellCarmelCarrboroCaryCentennialChapel HillCharlotteChicago

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total Assets: $2,546,629
  • Total Revenues: $21,691
  • Total Expenses: $122,679
  • Number of Employees: 0

As of 2023:

  • Total Assets: $2.72 million
  • Total Revenues: $504,000
  • Total Expenses: $1.64 million
  • Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$920K$2M$3M$4M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,546,629$2,720,662$3,779,883
Revenue$21,691$503,756$3,333,333
Expenses$122,679$1,637,983$2,074,032
Qualifying Distributions$106,367$1,633,695$2,058,976
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount$32,716$44,333$135,439

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$545K$1M$2M$2M5 grants202022 grants202120 grants202221 grants2023190 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

DOTTIE ROSE FOUNDATION$3KAMERICAN NATIONAL RED CR…$2KALLEGRO ORGANIZATIONAL S…$2KCHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH$2KDENVER DIACONAL CONFEREN…$1KAUM EDUCATION SOCIETY OF…$1KCAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER INC$775COMMON WEALTH CHARLOTTE$550CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRI…$540COALITION FOR RAINFOREST…$539

Grant Size Distribution

118 grants across all recorded years

79<$50K1$50–100K32$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Dottie Rose Foundation ($2,826), American National Red Cross ($1,528), Allegro Organizational Solutions Inc ($1,500).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ALLEGRO ORGANIZATIONAL SOLUTIONS INC HOUSTON, TXOther RefugeHopeBerlin.HTY$1,500
ALZHEIMERS DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC Chicago, ILIn memory of Dorothy Weirtz$103
AMATEUR MUSIC NETWORK SAN FRANCISCO, CAGeneral Support$206
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC Kennesaw, GAIn memory of Paul Schulz$151
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION INC Merrifield, VACampaign project or program 2024 Tour de Cure Florida: NAAIA Jonathan Aihie (team captian)$450
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC Dallas, TXIn honor of William Allgood$170
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS Washington, DCCampaign, project or program NC Helene Recovery$1,528
American Red Cross Blood Bank WASHINGTON, DCGeneral Support$443
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund WASHINGTON, DCGeneral Support$77
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS New York, NYGeneral Support$25

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

April B Whitlock: Executive Director

Doug Lebda: Founder and CEO of LendingTree (mentioned as originating the LendaHand concept in 2012)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

No officer/director data available.

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2021

The Foundation launched the LendaHand Alliance Cohort in 2021 with an inaugural cohort of 10 Charlotte-based nonprofits, including West Side Community Land Trust, The Relatives, Freedom Communities, Dottie Rose Foundation, Do Greater Charlotte, Digi-Bridge, Common Wealth Charlotte, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Charlotte Is Creative, and ArtPop Street Gallery.

LendingTree Foundation Launches Signature Giving Program, the LendaHand Alliance
2022

In 2022, the Foundation held its first Pitch Party, providing cohort members an opportunity to pitch their missions and fundraising goals to over 30 funders face-to-face.

LendingTree Foundation announces inaugural LendaHand Alliance cohort

Recent grant recipients include the Dottie Rose Foundation, Samaritan's Purse, and DiscNW.

Union Home Mortgage Foundation Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 Grant Recipients

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The LendingTree Foundation fund?

The Foundation practices a trust-based model of philanthropy, emphasizing relational rather than transactional partnerships with nonprofit organizations. According to the Foundation, this approach means "empowering organizations and individuals with whatever support they need, so that we can amplify their voices over our own." Primary funding areas include: • **Financial Education**: Advancement of financial education for individuals, businesses, and communities • **Community Development**: Sup…

How do I apply for a grant from The LendingTree Foundation?

**LendaHand Alliance Cohort**: The Foundation's signature program, a multi-year investment providing $3.5 million in total pledged support to 10 transformational organizations in the Charlotte community. Cohort members receive $125,000 annually for three years, plus access to collaboration space, fundraising training, and networking opportunities with other funders. **Community Impact Grants**: Small, one-time grants made to innovative nonprofit programs. In 2022, the Foundation awarded $175,00…

Where does The LendingTree Foundation make grants?

The Foundation primarily funds organizations in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on the Charlotte area. Additional giving extends to Washington and Colorado.

What size grants does The LendingTree Foundation award?

In 2024, The LendingTree Foundation awarded 190 grants totaling $73K — an average of about $382.421 per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The LendingTree Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The LendingTree Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The LendingTree Foundation's EIN?

The LendingTree Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-0543562. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The LendingTree Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with The LendingTree Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities

Go from researching The LendingTree Foundation to a real strategy.

Plan your approach