Bender Foundation Inc. has no record of direct charitable grants; its sole reported payment is a $700,000 contribution to Vanguard Charitable Fund to fund a donor-advised account. This indicates the foundation currently operates as a funder-of-funders (channeling assets into a DAF) rather than making programmatic grants to operating nonprofits, so its eventual philanthropic priorities will depend on the DAF donor's recommendations.
Bender Foundation Inc. shows a mix of direct grantmaking and donor-advised fund activity, including a $700,000 contribution to Vanguard Charitable Fund to fund a donor-advised account. In the recent grants list, the foundation also made several large direct awards in Washington, DC and nearby Maryland, including $500,000 to American University for its Center for Athletic Performance and $300,000 to Bender JCC of Greater Washington for executive salary support. The pattern extends across education, Jewish communal life, health, addiction recovery, and advocacy organizations, with multiple awards in the $150,000 to $250,000 range. Some gifts are tied to named facilities or funds, while others support general operations or specific programs. The grant record also includes recurring support for organizations such as Bender JCC of Greater Washington, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and the Anti-Defamation League, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. Recent awards appear in Washington, DC; Maryland; Virginia; and Rhode Island, with recipient locations concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic corridor.
In Jewish communal and educational work, the foundation gave $250,000 to Capital Jewish Museum for its second floor lobby and $200,000 to United States Holocaust Memorial for the Beyond Our Walls Fund. It also supported the Anti-Defamation League with $250,000 for DC Education Initiatives and another $250,000 for The Bender Institute Combating Bias, Bullying and Anti-Semitism Through Education. In health and recovery, it gave $250,000 to Ashley Addiction Treatment for Recovery Coaching Service 2 of 3 and $250,000 to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for the MedStar Washington Hospital Center Heart Hospital. The foundation also backed family and youth-oriented programs, including $150,000 to Bender JCC of Greater Washington for the Bender-Dosik Parenting Center and $100,000 to City Dance for The Dream School for Dance / renamed The VIVA School (CityDance).
The recent grants cluster around a median of $50,000, with the 25th percentile at $20,000 and the 75th percentile at $100,000. The list also includes multiple awards above that range, including several gifts at $150,000, $200,000, $250,000, $300,000, and $500,000. Recipients appear across multiple years, which points to repeated relationships rather than one-time support. The foundation is a regular funder and also reports donor-advised fund activity, including contributions to charitable funds. Grants are made by invitation, and unsolicited proposals are not considered.
$6.2M
$157.4M
$7.8M
$7.8M
Most grants fall between $20K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 34% of grants go to recipients in MD.
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Highly concentrated: a single large contribution to a donor-advised fund rather than multiple direct grants. No evidence of repeat grantees, geographic focus, or issue-based commitments in the available data.
Notable grantees: Vanguard Charitable Fund
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 173 grants recorded there. Washington, DC is the top giving location by count and receives 35% of grants. Nearby Maryland cities appear often, including Rockville, Bethesda, Havre de Grace, and Potomac, alongside Washington-area recipients in Arlington, VA and College Park, DC. The broader footprint also reaches Warwick, RI, Boston, MA, and Cincinnati, OH through charitable fund recipients.
It gives by invitation only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, and invited applicants are directed to its GrantInterface portal. That policy appears across its grant program descriptions, including general and operating-support categories.
The recent grant record shows a 25th percentile of $20,000, a median of $50,000, and a 75th percentile of $100,000. The list also includes larger awards at $150,000, $200,000, $250,000, $300,000, and $500,000.
Recent grants include education, Jewish communal institutions, health and addiction recovery, advocacy, youth arts, and family services. Examples in the record include American University, Capital Jewish Museum, Ashley Addiction Treatment, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Anti-Defamation League, and City Dance.
Yes. The record shows repeat support for several recipients across multiple years, including Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Ashley Addiction Treatment, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Anti-Defamation League, United States Holocaust Memorial, and the American Heart Association.
The top state by grant count is DC, and 35% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient locations also include Rockville, Bethesda, Havre de Grace, Potomac, Arlington, College Park, Warwick, Boston, and Cincinnati.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | NANETTE & DAVID S. BENDER FUND |
| MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | MEDSTAR WASH. HOSPITAL CENTER HEART HOSPITAL 10 OF 10 |
| CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | SECOND FLOOR LOBBY |
| ASHLEY ADDICTION TREATMENT | HAVRE DE GRACE, MD | $250,000 | 2025 | RECOVERY COACHING SERVICE 2 OF 3 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | DC EDUCATION INITIATIVES 2 OF 3 |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | JULIE B SILVER FDN FAMILY FUND |
| VANGUARD CHARITABLE FUND | WARWICK, RI | $250,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO BENDER FOUNDATION DAF |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL | COLLEGE PARK, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | BEYOND OUR WALLS FUND 3 OF 5 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | HEART BALL 5 OF 10 |
| JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | YOUNG WOMEN'S IMPACT NETWORK |
| BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON | ROCKVILLE, MD | $150,000 | 2025 | BENDER-DOSIK PARENTING CENTER |
| GRASSROOTS HEALTH | WASHINGTON, DC | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VIVA SCHOOL (CITYDANCE) | NORTH BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS CAMPAIGN |
| FUTURE LINK | ROCKVILLE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 2 OF 3 |
| REACH EDUCATION INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY SERVICES INC | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | MOCO RECONNECT |
| MARY'S CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IDENTITY INC | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ATHLETES FOR HOPE | BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 2 OF 3 |
| VIVA SCHOOL (CITYDANCE) | NORTH BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | DREAM SCHOOL OF DANCE 1 OF 4 |
| JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY | ROCKVILLE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | MIND CRAFT PROJECT |
| COLLEGE TRACKS | BETHESDA, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 2 OF 3 |
| TORTURE ABOLITION AND SURVIVORS SUPP | WASHINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $84,839 | 2025 | 2024 HEART WALK BRE MATCH |
| SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $83,333 | 2025 | ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER TRANSITION RECOVERY GUIDE |
| CENTER FOR ADOPTION SUPPORT AND EDUCATION | BURTONSVILLE, MD | $75,000 | 2025 | NTI TRAINING ADAPTATION FOR SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS |
| IMAGINATION STAGE | BETHESDA, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | LEARNING THROUGH THEATRE |
| COLLEGIATE DIRECTIONS INC | BETHESDA, MD | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY | ROCKVILLE, MD | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC |
| PEACE OF MIND | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOMELESS CHILDREN'S PLAYTIME PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AVODAH | WASHINGTON, DC | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $62,500 | 2025 | HEALTH/MENTAL WELLBEING STUDENTS 2 OF 6 |
| ALL FOR RECOVERY | OLNEY, MD | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION |
| POTOMAC COMMUNITY RESOURCES | ROCKVILLE, MD | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TREE OF HOPE ASSOCIATION | ROCKVILLE, MD | $60,000 | 2025 | PEER RECOVERY PROGRAM |
| HOPE AND A HOME | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | GRACE DICKERSON HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | UW-MADISON POSSE PROGRAM |
| THE DEN COLLECTIVE | BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 1 OF 2 |
| LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD | SILVER SPRING, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | DDC CHAPTER SUPPORT |
| SO WHAT ELSE | ROCKVILLE, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE LITERACY LAB | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | LEADING MEN FELLOWSHIP - DC |
| IDENTITY INC | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | TRANSFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN 2 OF 4 |
| EVERYMIND | ROCKVILLE, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHARLES E SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | ROCKVILLE, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | MA'AYAN AND ATHLETICS1 OF 2 |
| FAIR CHANCE | SILVER SPRING, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | WOMEN TO WATCH EVENT & CONFERENCE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON | NORTH BETHESDA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| AJC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FIDELITY CHARITABLE
$250,000NANETTE & DAVID S. BENDER FUND
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
$250,000MEDSTAR WASH. HOSPITAL CENTER HEART HOSPITAL 10 OF 10
CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM
$250,000SECOND FLOOR LOBBY
DC EDUCATION INITIATIVES 2 OF 3
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
$200,000BEYOND OUR WALLS FUND 3 OF 5
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$150,000HEART BALL 5 OF 10
BENDER JCC OF GREATER WASHINGTON
$150,000BENDER-DOSIK PARENTING CENTER
VIVA SCHOOL (CITYDANCE)
$100,000LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS CAMPAIGN
REACH EDUCATION INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VIVA SCHOOL (CITYDANCE)
$100,000DREAM SCHOOL OF DANCE 1 OF 4
COLLEGE TRACKS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 2 OF 3
TORTURE ABOLITION AND SURVIVORS SUPP
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$84,8392024 HEART WALK BRE MATCH
ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER TRANSITION RECOVERY GUIDE
NTI TRAINING ADAPTATION FOR SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
$75,000COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC
AVODAH
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$62,500HEALTH/MENTAL WELLBEING STUDENTS 2 OF 6
ALL FOR RECOVERY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION
TREE OF HOPE ASSOCIATION
$60,000PEER RECOVERY PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
$50,000UW-MADISON POSSE PROGRAM
THE DEN COLLECTIVE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 1 OF 2
LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD
$50,000DDC CHAPTER SUPPORT
FAIR CHANCE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AJC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT