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    5. Brook J Lenfest Foundation
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    Brook J Lenfest Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & VoluntarismFunds Individuals
    AUDUBON, PAWebsite6105456100

    About Brook J Lenfest Foundation

    The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation concentrates its funding in Pennsylvania—especially Philadelphia—with a strong emphasis on higher education access and student success (endowed scholarships, college success offices, and scholar programs) alongside civic and cultural investments. Grants skew large and targeted, often to major universities and repeat local partners, and include support for arts institutions, K–12 college-readiness initiatives, public policy organizations, and nonprofit capacity building.

    Focus Areas

    Endowed scholarships and university student success programs (Temple University, Penn State, Pennsylvania College of Technology)College-access and K–12-to-college pipeline programs in Philadelphia (Philadelphia School Partnership, Philadelphia Futures for Youth, I-LEAD)Performing arts and cultural institutions in Philadelphia (Kimmel Center)State-level public policy and good-government organizations in Pennsylvania (The Commonwealth Foundation)Nonprofit technology and capacity-building support (Tech Impact)

    Who They Fund

    college students / postsecondary scholarslow-income or at-risk youth (early literacy beneficiaries)

    About Brook J Lenfest Foundation

    A defining feature of The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc is its scholarship-driven support for higher education access in Pennsylvania, especially through endowed and trustee scholarship programs tied to Temple University and Penn State. Alongside that long-running focus, the foundation also backs college-success offices, youth pipeline programs, and institutional support for Philadelphia-area nonprofits that help students persist into and through college. Recent grants show a mix of large commitments and steady local support. Temple University received both a $800,000 endowed scholarship grant in 2023 and an $800,000 general support grant in 2024, while Penn State University received $200,000 in 2024 and $40,220 in 2025. Pennsylvania College of Technology also appears with six-figure support, including a $124,162 grant in 2025 and a $99,935 Lenfest Scholars Program grant in 2023. The foundation’s giving also reaches beyond colleges into the broader education and civic ecosystem. Philadelphia School Partnership, I-lead, Philadelphia Futures for Youth, and Mercy Career & Technical High School each appear in the recent grants list, reflecting support for student preparation, college access, and school-based pathways. Cultural institutions such as Kimmel Center Inc and Avenue of the Arts also appear, showing that the foundation’s local portfolio extends into Philadelphia’s arts community as well as education.

    What Brook J Lenfest Foundation Funds

    In higher education access, the foundation funded Temple University with $800,000 for a Brook J. Lenfest endowed scholarship in 2023 and another $800,000 for general support in 2024. Penn State University also received $200,000 in 2024 and $40,220 in 2025, underscoring the role of university partners in its giving. College-readiness and persistence are another clear thread. Philadelphia School Partnership received $125,000 in 2024, while Philadelphia Futures for Youth received $50,000 in 2023 for its Office of College Success. College Possible Philadelphia received $25,000 in 2024, and Chester County Futures received $20,000 in 2023 for Passport to College. The foundation also supports student-serving intermediaries and workforce-linked education. Opportunities Industrialization Center Inc received $25,000 in 2023 for BankWorks, and Mercy Career & Technical High School received $35,000 in 2023 for operations and scholarships. These grants point to a portfolio that connects schooling, credential pathways, and postsecondary continuation.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $291K

    Total Assets

    $12.8M

    Total Revenue

    $903K

    Total Expenses

    $768K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $15K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $50K

    Geographic Reach

    Local3 states funded

    About 95% of grants go to recipients in PA.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    EIN: 23-3031338
    3 filings on record
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    people experiencing housing instability / transitioning from homelessness
    individuals needing social services to achieve independence

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, relatively few but sizable grants with multiple repeat grantees; strong regional focus on Philadelphia/Pennsylvania; preference for institutional/organizational support such as endowed scholarships and programmatic funding rather than many small grants.

    Funding Style

    general operating/unrestricted supportscholarship/endowment fundingprogram-specific supportoperations and capacity support

    Notable grantees: Temple University, Penn State University, Kimmel Center, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Philadelphia Futures for Youth

    Topics

    college access and retention (college success programs)scholarship programs for postsecondary educationasset-based early literacytransitional housing and case managementsocial services promoting independent living

    How Brook J Lenfest Foundation Gives

    The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc’s recent grant sizes cluster around a median of $25,000, with a lower quartile of $15,000 and an upper quartile of $50,000. That said, the portfolio includes several much larger awards, especially to university partners. The pattern is largely repeated support rather than one-off philanthropy: Temple University, Penn State University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Kimmel Center Inc, and The Commonwealth Foundation all appear more than once across the recent grants list. The foundation operates as a grantmaker to 501(c)(3) organizations and its active programs include operating support, program/project support, and capital support. It also accepts unsolicited requests in its general grantmaking and ALICE-related programs.

    Where Brook J Lenfest Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is highly concentrated in Pennsylvania, with 95% of grants landing in the foundation’s headquarters state. Philadelphia is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, joined by University Park, Harrisburg, Williamsport, Bryn Mawr, Coatesville, Malvern, and Northampton, Massachusetts. Outside Pennsylvania, the only named recipient location in the recent grants list is Worcester, Pennsylvania, and the country distribution shows all grants in the United States. The geographic pattern matches a local Pennsylvania strategy, especially in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Brook J Lenfest Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does The Brook J Lenfest Foundation Inc support?

    Its active programs focus on education, job training, mentoring, and programs that prepare people for family-sustaining incomes. Recent grants also show support for universities, college-access nonprofits, a career and technical high school, arts organizations, and Pennsylvania public policy groups.

    What is the foundation’s typical grant size?

    The recent grant distribution centers on a median grant size of $25,000, with a p25 of $15,000 and a p75 of $50,000. Several grants are larger, including multiple six-figure awards to university partners.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

    Yes for some active programs. Its General Grantmaking and ALICE / Benefits Cliff Awareness and Related Initiatives programs both accept unsolicited requests from eligible organizations. Other named scholarship and targeted support programs do not list unsolicited applications.

    How concentrated is the giving geographically?

    Very concentrated in Pennsylvania. The data shows 95% of grants to recipients in the headquarters state, and the top giving state is Pennsylvania. Philadelphia appears most often among recipient cities, with additional grants in University Park, Harrisburg, Williamsport, Bryn Mawr, Coatesville, and Malvern.

    What are some recurring grantees?

    Temple University, Penn State University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Kimmel Center Inc, and The Commonwealth Foundation each appear more than once in the recent grants list. That repetition suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Brook J Lenfest Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: $5K – $50K

    General Grantmaking (Brook J. Lenfest Foundation)

    educationjob trainingmentoring+4 more

    Who can apply: Only qualified tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible. The foundation prefers organizations and programs with documented positive outcomes and strong evaluation evidence.

    Deadline: Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Proposals for invited or previously funded organizations are due by February 15 for spring consideration and August 15 for fall consideration.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYWILLIAMSPORT, PA$124,1622025GENERAL SUPPORT
    KIMMEL CENTER INCPHILADELPHIA, PA$50,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    PENN STATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY PARK, PA$40,2202025GENERAL SUPPORT
    AVENUE OF THE ARTSPHILADELPHIA, PA$27,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    NORTH10 PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA, PA$15,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    WISSAHICKON FOUNDATIONPHILADELPHIA, PA$10,0002025GENERAL SUPPORT
    TEMPLE UNIVERSITYPHILADELPHIA, PA$800,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    KIMMEL CENTER INCPHILADELPHIA, PA$200,6962024GENERAL SUPPORT
    PENN STATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY PARK, PA$200,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATIONHARRISBURG, PA$125,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPPHILADELPHIA, PA$125,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    I-LEADBRYN MAWR, PA$75,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATIONHARRISBURG, PA$50,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    TECH IMPACTPHILADELPHIA, PA$40,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    COLLEGE POSSIBLE PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    BAKER INDUSTRIESMALVERN, PA$25,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    THE WISTAR INSTITUTEPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICESPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGYWILLIAMSPORT, PA$24,3602024GENERAL SUPPORT
    UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTSPHILADELPHIA, PA$20,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    THE WELCOMING CENTERPHILADELPHIA, PA$15,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    THE GARAGE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTERKENNETT SQUARE, PA$10,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOLPHILADELPHIA, PA$10,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    AVENUE OF THE ARTSPHILADELPHIA, PA$3,0002024GENERAL SUPPORT
    TEMPLE UNIVERSITY TEMPLE UNIVERSITYPHILADELPHIA, PA$800,0002023BROOK J. LENFEST ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATIONWILLIAMSPORT, PA$99,9352023LENFEST SCHOLARS PROGRAM
    PHILADELPHIA FUTURES FOR YOUTH PHILADELPHIA FUTURES FOR YOUTHPHILADELPHIA, PA$50,0002023OFFICE OF COLLEGE SUCCESS
    MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOO MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOLPHILADELPHIA, PA$35,0002023OPERATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
    OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CEN OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER INCPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002023BANKWORKS
    BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHI BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA INCPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002023OPERATING SUPPORT
    CHILDREN'S LITERACY INIAT CHILDREN'S LITERACY INITIATIVEPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002023ASSET BASED EARLY LITERACY
    CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEE CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEECHNORTHAMPTON, MA$25,0002023GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VARIETY-THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF T VARIETY-THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF THE DELAWARE VALWORCHESTER, PA$25,0002023VARIETY WORKS
    CHESTER COUNTY FUTURES CHESTER COUNTY FUTURESCOATESVILLE, PA$20,0002023PASSPORT TO COLLEGE
    ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE FOUNDATIONNEW YORK, NY$15,0002023THE GOOD FIGHT
    PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY PARK, PA$10,0002023JIMMY LEE BROWN MEMORIAL DEAN'S ADVI
    PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE AR PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTSPHILADELPHIA, PA$10,0002023PEALE CIRLCE MEMBERSHIP
    CRADLE OF HOPE INC CRADLE OF HOPE INCJENKINTOWN, PA$10,0002023TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND CASE MANAGE
    ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILIT ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESJENKINTOWN, PA$7,0002023SOCIAL SERVICES FOR GREATER INDEPEND

    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

    $124,162
    WILLIAMSPORT, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    KIMMEL CENTER INC

    $50,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

    $40,220
    UNIVERSITY PARK, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AVENUE OF THE ARTS

    $27,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP PHILADELPHIA

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    NORTH10 PHILADELPHIA

    $15,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    WISSAHICKON FOUNDATION

    $10,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

    $800,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    KIMMEL CENTER INC

    $200,696
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

    $200,000
    UNIVERSITY PARK, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

    $125,000
    HARRISBURG, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

    $125,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    I-LEAD

    $75,000
    BRYN MAWR, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    HARRISBURG, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    TECH IMPACT

    $40,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    COLLEGE POSSIBLE PHILADELPHIA

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    BAKER INDUSTRIES

    $25,000
    MALVERN, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    THE WISTAR INSTITUTE

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

    $24,360
    WILLIAMSPORT, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

    $20,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    THE WELCOMING CENTER

    $15,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    THE GARAGE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTER

    $10,000
    KENNETT SQUARE, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    PHILADELPHIA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL

    $10,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    AVENUE OF THE ARTS

    $3,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2024

    GENERAL SUPPORT

    TEMPLE UNIVERSITY TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

    $800,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    BROOK J. LENFEST ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

    PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION

    $99,935
    WILLIAMSPORT, PA2023

    LENFEST SCHOLARS PROGRAM

    PHILADELPHIA FUTURES FOR YOUTH PHILADELPHIA FUTURES FOR YOUTH

    $50,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    OFFICE OF COLLEGE SUCCESS

    MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOO MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

    $35,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    OPERATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

    OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CEN OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER INC

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    BANKWORKS

    BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHI BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA INC

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    OPERATING SUPPORT

    CHILDREN'S LITERACY INIAT CHILDREN'S LITERACY INITIATIVE

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    ASSET BASED EARLY LITERACY

    CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEE CLARKE SCHOOLS FOR HEARING AND SPEECH

    $25,000
    NORTHAMPTON, MA2023

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VARIETY-THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF T VARIETY-THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF THE DELAWARE VAL

    $25,000
    WORCHESTER, PA2023

    VARIETY WORKS

    CHESTER COUNTY FUTURES CHESTER COUNTY FUTURES

    $20,000
    COATESVILLE, PA2023

    PASSPORT TO COLLEGE

    ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE FOUNDATION

    $15,000
    NEW YORK, NY2023

    THE GOOD FIGHT

    PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

    $10,000
    UNIVERSITY PARK, PA2023

    JIMMY LEE BROWN MEMORIAL DEAN'S ADVI

    PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE AR PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTS

    $10,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2023

    PEALE CIRLCE MEMBERSHIP

    CRADLE OF HOPE INC CRADLE OF HOPE INC

    $10,000
    JENKINTOWN, PA2023

    TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND CASE MANAGE

    ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILIT ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

    $7,000
    JENKINTOWN, PA2023

    SOCIAL SERVICES FOR GREATER INDEPEND