Vesper Foundation
Vesper Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Brecksville, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $165K.
Vesper Foundation at a glance
In short: Vesper Foundation gave $165K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $165K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $165,000
- +29.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $165,000
- +158.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $165,000
- Total assets
- $1,050,049
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Vesper Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wetlands Foundation ($165K).
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 20 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Vesper Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 326% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2023) to $641K (2020). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $165K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands Foundation Brecksville, OH | General | $165,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Vesper Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,050,049 | $195,000 | $191,030 | $165,000 | 1 | $168,600 | — | $51,773 |
| 2024 | $1,046,079 | $125,003 | $136,310 | $127,500 | 2 | $129,342 | — | $52,785 |
| 2023 | $1,057,386 | $100,003 | $116,820 | $99,500 | 3 | $103,150 | — | $52,420 |
| 2022 | $1,074,203 | $160,005 | $195,720 | $178,000 | 5 | $181,800 | — | $53,442 |
| 2021 | $1,118,528 | $255,367 | $257,220 | $240,000 | 9 | $243,600 | — | $54,921 |
| 2020 | $1,111,771 | $146,127 | $664,805 | $641,429 | 28 | — | $138,089 | $14,399 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vesper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Vesper Foundation is led by Sharen Benenson, President on every filing since 2023; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sharen Benenson
President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clement C. Benenson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Benenson III
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy S. Lenhart
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James Benenson Jr. (2020–2022) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Vesper Foundation
How much does Vesper Foundation give each year?
Vesper Foundation gave $165K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $128K across 2 grants.
How large is Vesper Foundation?
Vesper Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $169K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $52K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Vesper Foundation?
Vesper Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Brecksville, OH. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Vesper Foundation operate?
Vesper Foundation has awarded grants in Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Washington.
What is Vesper Foundation's EIN?
Vesper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6251198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Vesper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Ohio
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Essex County Community Foundation Inc
Beverly, MA
Essex County Community Foundation supports nonprofits addressing needs and opportunities in areas such as youth education, essential needs, veterans, women and girls, community response, and digital equity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $16,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $576,250, and it primarily serves Essex County, Massachusetts. It accepts applications for specific competitive grant programs through an online process; one listed program is invitation-only.
Assets
$150.5M
Grants
302
Total Given
$13.0M
Columbus Foundation
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit work, including arts, education, health, basic needs, neighborhoods, and capacity building, primarily in central Ohio. Its 2024 grants had a median of $21,471, though amounts varied widely. Most grants are directed by donors and aren’t made through an application process, but some specific programs accept applications.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
1,747
Total Given
$242.7M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
The Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland, OH
The Cleveland Foundation funds education, human services, neighborhoods and housing, health, arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and other community priorities, primarily through grants to nonprofits in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $17.5 million, with a median of about $30,700. It accepts applications year-round through its standard grant process, with deadlines determining which cycle an application enters.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
1,016
Total Given
$184.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Vesper Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Vesper Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?