Bender West Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $845,900 - $918,373
• Success Rate: Not available (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $500 - $75,000
• Geographic Focus: Colorado, New York, North Carolina

Contact Details

Mailing Address: c/o Foundation Source, 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Website: None available
Email: Not publicly available
Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The Bender West Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2016 with tax-exempt status. With total assets of approximately $18 million, the foundation distributes between $845,900 and $918,373 annually through 46-69 grants per year to nonprofit organizations. The foundation is managed by the Greenberg family, descendants of Howard M. and Sondra D. Bender, and operates through Foundation Source, a professional foundation management company. The foundation focuses primarily on education, human services, and philanthropic initiatives, with particular emphasis on organizations in Colorado, New York, and North Carolina.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Grants: $500 - $75,000 (distributed through trustee discretion)
• No specific named grant programs identified

Priority Areas

• Education and educational institutions
• Human services organizations
• Philanthropy and volunteerism
• Jewish studies and cultural programs
• Community development initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• No explicit exclusions published, but funding patterns suggest limited support outside of Colorado, New York, and North Carolina
• No evidence of international grantmaking

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Eileen B. Greenberg - President/Director
• Daniel G. Greenberg - Treasurer/Vice President
• Joshua A. Greenberg - Secretary/Vice President
• Rachael J. Greenberg - Vice President/Director
• Richard S. Greenberg - Vice President/Director

The foundation is managed by the Greenberg family, who have a history of philanthropic engagement, particularly with the University of Colorado Boulder where the Bender family established endowments for Jewish Studies programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and typically to organizations with existing relationships to board members or through invitation. The foundation uses Foundation Source for administrative management but does not accept unsolicited proposals through a public portal.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available as grants are made at the discretion of the board throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation's grantmaking:

• Organizations with existing connections to the Greenberg family or board members have the strongest likelihood of consideration
• Alignment with the foundation's demonstrated geographic priorities (Colorado, New York, North Carolina) is essential
• Focus on education and human services aligns with historical giving patterns
• Organizations should review the foundation's Form 990-PF filings to identify patterns in past grant recipients

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-based funder with no public application process - direct connections to board members are likely necessary
• The foundation makes 46-69 grants annually, indicating active but selective grantmaking
• Geographic focus appears concentrated in Colorado, New York, and North Carolina
• Grant sizes range from $500 to $75,000, suitable for both small and medium-sized requests
• The foundation maintains substantial assets ($18 million) ensuring long-term giving capacity
• Administrative services through Foundation Source suggest professional management and compliance
• Consider researching past grant recipients through Form 990-PF filings to understand funding patterns

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Bender West Foundation (EIN: 814425931). Accessed February 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/814425931
• Instrumentl 990 Reports - Bender West Foundation Financial Data. Accessed February 2025. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/bender-west-foundation
• Cause IQ Database - Bender West Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/bender-west-foundation,814425931/
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database - EIN 814425931 Registration. Accessed February 2025
• Foundation Source - Professional Foundation Management Services. Accessed February 2025