Frances And Benjamin Benenson Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,600,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $28.9 million (2024)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $204,500
• Median Grant: $10,000
• Total Grants Awarded: 147 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York City metropolitan area
• Application Method: No formal application process

Contact Details

Primary Contact: Bruce W. Benenson
Address: 155 E 44th St, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 867-0990
EIN: 13-3267113

Overview

The Frances And Benjamin Benenson Foundation Inc was established in 1983 and has been supporting nonprofit organizations for over 40 years. With total assets of approximately $28.9 million and annual charitable disbursements of $3.6 million, the foundation primarily serves the New York City metropolitan area. The foundation was founded by Charles B. Benenson, a prominent real estate developer and philanthropist, and is now led by his three sons: Bruce William Benenson (a filmmaker and environmental philanthropist), Frederick C. Benenson, and Lawrence B. Benenson (a real estate investor and arts patron who serves on the boards of more than 12 charitable organizations). The foundation supports a broad range of causes including human services, arts and culture, education, healthcare, and community development, with a particular emphasis on improving education for minority youth in New York City and supporting environmental conservation efforts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates without formal grant programs or structured application deadlines. Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and typically support general operating expenses for nonprofit organizations.

Recent Major Grants (2023):

• Grateful Film Fund: $204,500
• Amazon Conservation Team: $200,000 (indigenous peoples' rainforest conservation)
• Inner-City Scholarship Fund: $160,000 (K-12 Catholic education in Archdiocese of New York)
• Reed College: $150,000

The foundation awarded 147 grants in 2023 with a median grant size of $10,000.

Priority Areas

Based on grant distribution patterns and stated interests, the foundation prioritizes:

Education

• Education for minority youth in New York City
• Higher education institutions
• Scholarship programs for underprivileged children

Environmental Conservation

• Amazon rainforest preservation
• Indigenous cultures and sustainable agriculture
• Biocultural conservation initiatives

Arts and Culture

• Museums and cultural institutions
• Film and documentary projects focusing on cultural preservation
• Folk art and contemporary art

Human Services

• Feeding the hungry and housing the homeless
• Community development
• Healthcare and medical services

Religion and Cultural Heritage

• Jewish organizations and causes
• Organizations supporting diverse faith communities

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, grant patterns suggest they focus on established nonprofit organizations and rarely fund:

• Individual requests
• For-profit ventures
• Organizations outside their geographic focus area (primarily NYC metro)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is led by three Co-Presidents, all sons of founder Charles B. Benenson:

Bruce W. Benenson - Co-President
An American filmmaker and philanthropist known for documentary filmmaking focusing on environmental issues, indigenous cultures, and cultural preservation. Together with his wife Laurie, he oversees foundation initiatives supporting efforts to preserve the Amazon rainforest, protect endangered cultures, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Lawrence B. Benenson - Co-President
A real estate investor and third-generation partner of Benenson Capital Partners. He actively supports more than 100 organizations and serves as Chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy. He serves on the boards of numerous organizations including the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, Museum for African Art, American Folk Art Museum, Inner-City Scholarship Foundation, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Benenson prefers to be regarded as a "charitarian" rather than a philanthropist, emphasizing direct impact on recipients.

Frederick C. Benenson - Co-President, Treasurer & Secretary
Part of the Benenson Capital Partners team and involved in the family's real estate and philanthropic enterprises.

Richard Kessler - Vice President

All officers serve without compensation. The foundation is closely connected to Benenson Capital Partners, the family's real estate company founded in 1905.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a formal public application process. According to their guidelines: "NO FORMAL REQUIREMENTS; AMOUNT AND PURPOSES MUST BE STATED."

Interested organizations should submit a letter of inquiry stating:

• The purpose of funding requested
• The amount being requested

There are no application deadlines or stated restrictions. Grants appear to be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year based on trustee discretion.

Contact for Inquiries:
Bruce W. Benenson
155 E 44th St, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 867-0990

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish specific decision timelines. Given the informal application process and trustee-led decision-making, timing likely varies based on board meeting schedules and the nature of the request.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation awarded 147 grants in 2023, suggesting they are responsive to multiple organizations, though the informal application process makes it difficult to calculate traditional success rates.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is stated. Organizations may submit inquiries at any time.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish formal guidelines, the following factors appear to influence funding decisions based on grant patterns and leadership priorities:

Alignment with Family Interests
Given the foundation's leadership by the Benenson brothers, organizations should consider alignment with their documented interests:

• Bruce's focus on environmental conservation, indigenous peoples' rights, and documentary filmmaking
• Lawrence's extensive involvement in arts institutions, education, and anti-hunger initiatives
• The family's real estate background and New York City connections

Geographic Focus
Strong preference for organizations serving the New York City metropolitan area, particularly those improving education for minority youth. Environmental grants may extend beyond NYC, especially for Amazon conservation initiatives.

Established Organizations
Grant recipients appear to be predominantly established institutions with track records rather than startup organizations.

General Operating Support
Most grants are designated for "general support," suggesting the foundation prefers to fund organizations broadly rather than restrict funding to specific programs, allowing nonprofits flexibility in how they use funds.

Range of Grant Sizes
The foundation awards grants across a wide spectrum ($1,000 to $204,500), with a median of $10,000. Organizations should be realistic about request amounts based on their size and relationship with the foundation.

Personal Connections
Given the trustee-discretion model and the Benenson family's extensive board involvement across New York's nonprofit sector, personal connections and board relationships likely play a significant role in funding decisions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No formal application required - A concise letter of inquiry stating purpose and amount is sufficient, making this an accessible funder for organizations seeking less bureaucratic processes
• Trustee discretion model - Grants are awarded based on the interests and priorities of the three Benenson brothers, making alignment with their documented philanthropic interests crucial
• NYC metro focus with selective exceptions - While primarily supporting New York City organizations, the foundation makes strategic grants to environmental conservation efforts globally, particularly Amazon rainforest initiatives
• Education for minority youth is a stated priority - Organizations serving this population in NYC should emphasize their impact and alignment with this core interest
• Wide grant range reflects flexible approach - With grants from $1,000 to $204,500 and a median of $10,000, the foundation supports organizations of various sizes
• Relationship-driven funding - Given Lawrence Benenson's service on 12+ nonprofit boards and the family's extensive NYC philanthropic network, organizations with existing connections to the family or their associates may have advantages
• General support preferred - The foundation typically awards unrestricted general support grants, valuing organizational discretion in fund usage

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Frances And Benjamin Benenson Foundation Inc (EIN: 13-3267113). Tax filings 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133267113 (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation Inc. Profile including 2023 grant data. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/133267113-frances-and-benjamin-benenson-foundation-inc/ (Accessed January 2026)
• GrantStation - Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation overview. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/frances-and-benjamin-benenson-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• CSQ Magazine - "Lawrence B. Benenson: Charitarian, Humanitarian, Accumulator, New Yorker" (December 2018). https://csq.com/2018/12/lawrence-b-benenson-charitarian-humanitarian-accumulator-new-yorker/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Benenson Capital Partners - Team and Core Values pages. https://benensoncapital.com/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Amazon Conservation Team - Mission & Vision. https://www.amazonteam.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Inner-City Scholarship Fund - About page. https://www.innercityscholarshipfund.org/ (Accessed January 2026)