The Lenfest Foundation Inc
The Lenfest Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Its 2023 filing reported grants to five organizations; the foundation stated that it dissolved on June 12, 2024, and transferred its remaining cash to the Lenfest Scholarship Foundation to support that foundation’s mission.
The Lenfest Foundation Inc at a glance
- Revenue (2024)
- $663
- -98.7% vs 2023
- Qualifying distributions (2024)
- $20,768
- -99.4% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $20,838
- -99.4% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Lenfest Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 85 Old Eagle School Road 103, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: (215) 239-9003
Website: https://lenfestfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lenfest Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
214 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 214 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The listed 2023 recipients named above are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The available information does not state a geographic focus for the foundation.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How The Lenfest Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 89% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 198% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2023) to $26.8M (2020). In 2023 it made 5 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Charitable Fund Warwick, RI | Lenfest Foundation Board Members | $2,825,000 |
| Urban Affairs Coalition Philadelphia, PA | General Operating | $100,000 |
| Philanthropi Charitable Philadelphia, PA | Lenfest Foundation Board Members | $50,000 |
| Drexel University Philadelphia, PA | Lenfest Legacy Project | $50,000 |
| The Philadelphia Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Lenfest Foundation Board Members | $25,000 |
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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 | — | $663 | $20,838 | — | — | $20,768 | — | $10,514 |
| 2023 | $228,583 | $50,794 | $3,601,856 | $3,050,000 | 5 | $3,558,182 | $5,045 | $85,810 |
| 2022 | $3,753,705 | $720,486 | $14,131,768 | $13,308,000 | 73 | $14,027,164 | $30,210 | $647,711 |
| 2021 | $18,526,474 | $560,962 | $19,372,675 | $15,660,179 | 65 | — | $403,749 | $1,266,037 |
| 2020 | $33,756,551 | $2,949,994 | $30,081,313 | $26,770,000 | 71 | — | $2,693,658 | $1,886,166 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lenfest Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11K 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 foundation’s filing describes a transfer of prepaid credit card to the Lenfest Scholars Foundation and says its remaining cash distribution would support the Lenfest Scholarship Foundation’s mission. The available information does not state a broader mission or set of funding focus areas for The Lenfest Foundation Inc.
Among the 2023 recipients, the Urban Affairs Coalition describes its mission as bringing together government, business, neighborhoods, and individual initiatives to improve quality of life, build wealth in urban communities, and address emerging issues. Drexel University says it prepares students for professional and civic lives and applies its expertise to societal problems. Philanthropi Charitable describes its work as increasing charitable giving through fundraising, outreach, due diligence, and grant administration. The Philadelphia Foundation describes itself as a community foundation that works to address needs in Greater Philadelphia.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported $3,050,000 in grants across five grants. Listed recipients included the Urban Affairs Coalition ($100,000), Drexel University ($50,000), Philanthropi Charitable ($50,000), and The Philadelphia Foundation ($25,000). The available information does not identify the fifth recipient or establish a typical grant size.
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Dr. Keith L. Leaphart as board chair; Joseph F. Huber as vice chair/treasurer; Marguerite Lenfest as president; Diane Myer as secretary; Jeffrey A. Beachell, Roger Lehecka, and Mozelle Thompson as directors; and Wes Somerville as executive director.
The Lenfest Foundation Inc is led by Wes Somerville, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wes Somerville
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive Di, 2022
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Marguerite Lenfest
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith L. Leaphart
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey A. Beachell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mozelle Thompson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Lehecka
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Myer
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph F. Huber
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Vice Chair & Treasurer → Vice Chair & T, 2022
Vice Chair & T → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Grahame Richards (2020–2023) — Secretary · Filing note: Thru 123
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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $265K, to Wes Somerville (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about The Lenfest Foundation Inc
What does The Lenfest Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filing describes a transfer of prepaid credit card to the Lenfest Scholars Foundation and says its remaining cash distribution would support the Lenfest Scholarship Foundation’s mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lenfest Foundation Inc?
The Lenfest Foundation Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check lenfestfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
Where does The Lenfest Foundation Inc make grants?
The listed 2023 recipients named above are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The available information does not state a geographic focus for the foundation.
How much is The Lenfest Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Lenfest Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Lenfest Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Lenfest Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-3031350. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Lenfest Foundation Inc 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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The Lenfest Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?