The Benco Family Foundation (formerly Cohen Family Charitable Trust) concentrates its giving into a very small number of large, unrestricted charitable gifts. Recent grants show a strong interest in health and cancer-related philanthropy alongside substantial support to a single private or family-associated charitable vehicle, suggesting strategic, high-impact funding rather than broad, grassroots grantmaking.
Very concentrated: few but large grants that account for the majority of annual giving. Prefers sizable, one-off or infrequent awards to institutional recipients and affiliated foundations rather than many small community grants.
The Benco Family Foundation Fka Cohen Family Charitable Trust concentrates its giving in a small number of high-value grants, including a 2024 award of $566,457 to Dta Foundation and a $158,781 grant to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. That pattern points to institutional support rather than broad, dispersed grantmaking. In the recent grants list, the foundation also backed Pennsylvania-based organizations such as Jewish Community Alliance in Wilkes-Barre, United Way of Wyoming Valley, and Jcc of Wilkes-barre, showing a mix of local community funding and larger strategic gifts. Its grant record includes education-related institutions, health and medical organizations, and charitable vehicles tied to partner organizations. The presence of multiple repeat awards to the same recipients, along with grants at several different sizes, suggests a portfolio built around ongoing relationships and occasional larger commitments. The foundation’s work touches oral health, youth education, community support, and cancer-related philanthropy, with many awards made as charitable support rather than tightly project-restricted funding.
Cancer and medical philanthropy appear in the grant list through support for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which received $158,781 in 2024 and another $20,000 in 2023. The foundation also gave $50,000 to Dental Lifeline Network in 2024 and $25,000 in 2023, linking health giving to oral care access. Education is another clear thread: Philips Exeter Academy received $100,000 in 2023, while Wilkes University received $20,250 in both 2023 and 2024. Community support shows up in Pennsylvania awards to United Way of Wyoming Valley, Jewish Community Alliance, and Maternal & Family Health Services, each tied to local service organizations. The recent grants also include a $15,000 gift to International Life Foundation, adding to the foundation’s institutional, partnership-based funding pattern.
The typical grant size is small relative to the largest awards, with a p25 of $200, a median of $1,000, and a p75 of $10,000. At the same time, the recent grants list includes much larger one-off commitments, indicating a split between modest support and occasional major gifts. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Dental Lifeline Network, Jewish Community Alliance, United Way of Wyoming Valley, Wilkes University, International Life Foundation, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The foundation is a private family foundation operating under the former Cohen Family Charitable Trust name, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. A program request path is shown on the site, including a letter-of-inquiry option.
$875K
$5.7M
$686K
$909K
Most grants fall between $200 and $10K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$200
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: DTA Foundation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, with 109 grants recorded there. Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count and accounts for 47% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Wilkes-Barre appears repeatedly through recipients such as United Way of Wyoming Valley, Jewish Community Alliance, and Maternal & Family Health Services, while New York City and Arlington, Virginia also recur in the recent list. Other recipient locations include New Haven, Exeter, Denver, and Salt Lake City, showing a regional footprint with some national institutional support.
The grant list shows support for health and medical institutions, education organizations, and local community-serving nonprofits. Recent examples include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dental Lifeline Network, Philips Exeter Academy, Wilkes University, United Way of Wyoming Valley, and Jewish Community Alliance.
The distribution is wide, but the central tendency is modest: p25 is $200, median is $1,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, such as $566,457 and $158,781, so the foundation uses both small and major grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear across more than one year, including Dental Lifeline Network, Jewish Community Alliance, United Way of Wyoming Valley, Wilkes University, International Life Foundation, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. That indicates recurring relationships rather than strictly one-time gifts.
The site shows a general program request pathway with a letter-of-inquiry option. It also lists unsolicited acceptance for some programs, including the Program Request pathway, Lessons in a Lunch Box, United Way Partnership, Buy One Give One, and Benco Boosters.
Recipients are entirely in the United States, and Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count. The foundation’s HQ is in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and 47% of grants go to recipients in that same state.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Benco Family Foundation Fka Cohen Family Charitable Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Underserved elementary school programs; partnership-based delivery through schools and oral health nonprofit partners.
Who can apply: Supports programs serving street-connected youth and family-like residential support in the Philippines.
Who can apply: Supports a nonprofit health education initiative focused on breast cancer awareness.
Who can apply: Supports organizations delivering direct dental care in underserved and remote areas.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILKES UNIVERSITY | WILKES BARRE, PA | $404,783 | 2026 | CHARITABLE$5,450 CASHDONATION OF 515 SHS ALPHABET STOCK, 534 SHS AMAZON STOCK, 945 SHS WELLS FARGO & CO STOCK, 125 SHS VANGUARD VALUE ETF. ALL SHARES VALUED ON STOCK MARKET EXCHANGEFAIR MARKET VALUE/BOOK VALUE: $399,333DATE OF GIFT: DECEMBER 24, 2025 |
| UNITED WAY OF WYOMING VALLEY | WILKES BARRE, PA | $81,431 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF WILKES BARRE | WILKES BARRE, PA | $75,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK | DENVER, CO |
| $60,000 |
| 2026 |
| CHARITABLE |
| GEISINGER HEALTH FOUNDATION | DANVILLE, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NAW INSTITUTE FOR DISTRIBUTION EXCELLENCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CEOWEINBERG FOOD BANK | WILKES BARRE, PA | $21,181 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WVIA | PITTSTON, PA | $20,125 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DTA FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LAST PRISONER PROJECT | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBIAN | EL PASO, TX | $7,875 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| INTERNATIONAL LIFE FOUNDATION INC | ST CLOUD, FL | $7,875 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| AMERICA 250PA | PITTSTON, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE | KINGSTON, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,875 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| GIVE TO COLUMBIA INC | KEY BISCAYNE, FL | $5,250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VISITING DENTAL HYGIENE INC | HINGHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEPA PHILHARMONIC | WILKES BARRE, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CASA OF LUZERNE COUNTY | PLAINS, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CASS COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| GLOBAL SMILES FOUNDATION | NORWOOD, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| KEEP A BREAST FOUNDATION | YUCCA VALLEY, CA | $4,347 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ACORN CLINIC | BROOKER, FL | $3,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTHEAST OHIO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | ROOTSTOWN, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| LUZERNE COUNTY HEAD START | WILKES BARRE, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WYOMING SEMINARY PREPARATORY SCHOOL | KINGSTON, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ORAL CANCER FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $1,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| USNA SOUTHEASTERN PA PARENTS ASSOCIATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $1,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| DINNER FOR KIDS | EDWARDSVILLE, PA | $1,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| STEP BY STEP FOUNDATION | WILKES BARRE, PA | $1,122 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| STREETSQUASH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| ALLIED SERVICES FOUNDATION | CLARKS SUMMIT, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| PSC PARTNERS SEEKING A CURE | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA | WILKES BARRE, PA | $933 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE INTERNATIONAL 22Q112 FOUNDATION | MATAWAN, NJ | $750 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CAMP FREEDOM | CARBONDALE, PA | $685 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BLUE CHIP FARM ANIMAL REFUGE | DALLAS, PA | $580 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WYOMING VALLLEY CHILDRENS ASSOCIATION | FORTY FORT, PA | $560 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS | ARLINGTON, VA | $500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERIES | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | WILKES BARRE, PA | $350 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $350 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CARING HEALTH CENTER INC | SPRINGFIELD, MA | $300 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NEPA | FORTY FORT, PA | $300 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEPA RACING INC | HARVEYS LAKE, PA | $250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| REECE'S RAINBOW | COMBINED LOCKS, WI | $250 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| CHICAGO INDEPENDENT RADIO PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $240 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| JACK OF HEARTS PA | SCRANTON, PA | $200 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
WILKES UNIVERSITY
$404,783CHARITABLE$5,450 CASHDONATION OF 515 SHS ALPHABET STOCK, 534 SHS AMAZON STOCK, 945 SHS WELLS FARGO & CO STOCK, 125 SHS VANGUARD VALUE ETF. ALL SHARES VALUED ON STOCK MARKET EXCHANGEFAIR MARKET VALUE/BOOK VALUE: $399,333DATE OF GIFT: DECEMBER 24, 2025
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF WILKES BARRE
$75,000CHARITABLE
DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK
$60,000CHARITABLE
NAW INSTITUTE FOR DISTRIBUTION EXCELLENCE
$25,000CHARITABLE
CEOWEINBERG FOOD BANK
$21,181CHARITABLE
WVIA
$20,125CHARITABLE
DTA FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBIAN
$7,875CHARITABLE
INTERNATIONAL LIFE FOUNDATION INC
$7,875CHARITABLE
AMERICA 250PA
$7,500CHARITABLE
JEWISH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
$7,500CHARITABLE
GIVE TO COLUMBIA INC
$5,250CHARITABLE
VISITING DENTAL HYGIENE INC
$5,000CHARITABLE
NEPA PHILHARMONIC
$5,000CHARITABLE
CASA OF LUZERNE COUNTY
$5,000CHARITABLE
CASS COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE
GLOBAL SMILES FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE
ACORN CLINIC
$3,500CHARITABLE
LUZERNE COUNTY HEAD START
$3,000CHARITABLE
WYOMING SEMINARY PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$2,500CHARITABLE
ORAL CANCER FOUNDATION
$1,500CHARITABLE
USNA SOUTHEASTERN PA PARENTS ASSOCIATION
$1,500CHARITABLE
DINNER FOR KIDS
$1,500CHARITABLE
STEP BY STEP FOUNDATION
$1,122CHARITABLE
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
$933CHARITABLE
THE INTERNATIONAL 22Q112 FOUNDATION
$750CHARITABLE
CAMP FREEDOM
$685CHARITABLE
BLUE CHIP FARM ANIMAL REFUGE
$580CHARITABLE
WYOMING VALLLEY CHILDRENS ASSOCIATION
$560CHARITABLE
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS
$500CHARITABLE
HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERIES
$500CHARITABLE
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$350CHARITABLE
WEST SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY
$350CHARITABLE
CARING HEALTH CENTER INC
$300CHARITABLE
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NEPA
$300CHARITABLE
NEPA RACING INC
$250CHARITABLE
REECE'S RAINBOW
$250CHARITABLE
CHICAGO INDEPENDENT RADIO PROJECT
$240CHARITABLE
JACK OF HEARTS PA
$200CHARITABLE