The LendingTree Foundation
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.
Key facts about The LendingTree Foundation
- EIN
- 32-0543562
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $72,660
- Grants made (2024)
- 190
- Average grant
- $382
- Median grant
- $103
- Total assets
- $2,546,629
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (41% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who The LendingTree Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The LendingTree Foundation's 190 itemized 2024 grants were North Carolina (41%), Washington (10%) and Texas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (36 grants), Seattle, WA (8 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Denver, CO (6 grants). 50% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation As A Gift" (13 grants) and "Donation As A Gift 2023 Donation Match" (3 grants).
How The LendingTree Foundation gives
- Giving fell 97% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 325% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with The LendingTree Foundation
- How to evaluate The LendingTree Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The LendingTree Foundation with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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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.
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:
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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
Share of all 190 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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
258 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Talented Girls in Action - Tgia ($3,000), Dottie Rose Foundation ($2,826), Samaritans Purse ($1,925).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TALENTED GIRLS IN ACTION - TGIA Georgetown, TX | To support the fundraising efforts of Fall semester | $3,000 |
| DOTTIE ROSE FOUNDATION Charlotte, NC | Campaign project or program 24K for 2024 Spring Fundraiser | $2,826 |
| SAMARITANS PURSE Boone, NC | To support the fundraising efforts of Hurricane Helene Relief | $1,925 |
| NORTHWEST ULTIMATE ASSOCIATION Seattle, WA | General Support | $1,750 |
| WHITAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CIRCLE OF COMMITMENT INC Winston Salem, NC | General Support | $1,542 |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS Washington, DC | Campaign, project or program NC Helene Recovery | $1,528 |
| FORGOTTEN NOW FAMILY RESCUE CO Cornelius, NC | General Support | $1,525 |
| ALLEGRO ORGANIZATIONAL SOLUTIONS INC Houston, TX | Other RefugeHopeBerlin.HTY | $1,500 |
| CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Charlotte, NC | General Support | $1,500 |
| PILGRIM Seattle, WA | General Support | $1,500 |
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
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2022 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jill Olmstead | Chairman/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Carla Shumate | Treasurer/Director | 0.25 | — |
| Lisa Young | Secretary/Director | 0.25 | — |
| April Whitlock | Executive Director | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
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 AllianceIn 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 cohortRecent grant recipients include the Dottie Rose Foundation, Samaritan's Purse, and DiscNW.
Union Home Mortgage Foundation Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 Grant RecipientsSubject 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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.