William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc
The organization is a supporting organization which makes grants to carry out the purposes of the jewish community foundation of greater metrowest nj, inc.
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc gave $7.8M across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $1.9M), mostly in New Jersey. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,752,289
- +2239.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,938,072
- +2239.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $154,172
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc
- Next open deadline
- November 24, 2026 (Mack Ness Fund Stanley Stone Special Grant)
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc
Who William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest N ($7.4M). Together the top 4 received $7.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 18 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 2530% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $285K (2019) to $7.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $7.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest N Whippany, NJ | General support | $7,424,356 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ Whippany, NJ | General Support | $285,300 |
| Temple Beth Shalom Livingston, NJ | General Support | $23,044 |
| Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Boca Raton, FL | General Support | $19,589 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $452,623 | $7,761,556 | $7,752,289 | 4 | $37,469 |
| 2024 | $7,170,011 | $377,614 | $366,406 | $331,404 | 4 | $377,614 |
| 2023 | $6,897,811 | $192,990 | $398,018 | $363,695 | 4 | $192,990 |
| 2022 | $6,689,777 | $554,932 | $330,433 | $294,729 | 3 | $554,932 |
| 2021 | $7,092,825 | $516,480 | $326,321 | $291,546 | 3 | $516,480 |
| 2020 | $5,785,774 | $179,662 | $376,510 | $345,449 | 5 | $179,662 |
| 2019 | $6,297,708 | $292,895 | $318,465 | $285,341 | 3 | $292,895 |
About William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc
Based on IRS filings
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc is a public charity, based in Whippany, NJ. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $7.8M. Net investment income was $37K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc is led by Max L. Kleinman, President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Max L. Kleinman
President
Trustee → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Howard J. Rabner
Secretary & Trustee
Ass't Secretary & Trustee → Secretary & Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$281K (2025)
Jeffrey J. Greenbaum
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Martin Barber
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Maxine Murnick
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Laing
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ellen Goldner (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Alan Bloom (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gloria G. Lester (2019–2023) — President & Trustee
- Former: Neil B Goldstein (2019–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $281K, to Howard J Rabner (SECRETARY/Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc
How much does William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc give each year?
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc gave $7.8M across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $331K across 4 grants.
What is William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $154,172, and its average grant was $1,938,072, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc give grants?
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc gives mostly in New Jersey: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Whippany, NJ (2 grants).
Does William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc's EIN?
William & Betty Lester Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6063176. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 5, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 17, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
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