Private foundation · EIN 20-8069108 · Wilmington, Delaware · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Lighten Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $461K total, median $4,750.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
16
$461K
Median grant
$4,750
Stays in DE
—
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$5.1M

Grants paid in 2025

16 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Boule FoundationAtlanta, GAGeneral & Unrestricted$300K
Grace Baptist ChurchMount Vernon, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$32K
Divine Favor & Fellowship MinistriesMoscow, TNGeneral & Unrestricted$26K
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund IncNew York, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$25K
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CTThe Peter Salovey and Marta Moret Scholarship Fund at Yale$25K
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CTThe Ogilvie Robinson deChabert Leadership Forum of the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale$25K
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation IncNew York, NYAiley Dancers' Resource Fund$10K
Center Chapel Missionary Baptist ChurchMemphis, TNGeneral & Unrestricted$7,000
New Rochelle Police Foundation IncNew Rochelle, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$2,500
March of Dimes IncArlington, VAGeneral & Unrestricted$2,000
Delta Animal ShelterEscanaba, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Delta County Cancer Alliance IncEscanaba, MIGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Fellas College Scholarship FundBrooklyn, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
Marc Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer FoundationUniondale, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
NAACP FoundationBaltimore, MDGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000
United Negro College Fund IncWashington, DCGeneral & Unrestricted$1,000

By state: Georgia 1 · New York 6 · Connecticut 2 · Tennessee 2 · Michigan 2 · Virginia 1

About this foundation

Lighten Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Wilmington, Delaware, administered in care of Foundation Source, tax-exempt since 2007. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Lighten Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Lighten Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $461K across 16 grants, a median of $4,750.

Where does Lighten Family Foundation give?

Georgia (1 grants), New York (6 grants), Connecticut (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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