Lighten Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Lighten Family Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2025 it gave $460,500 in 16 grants; the typical grant was $4,750 and the largest $300,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$460,500
- Number of grants16
- Typical grant$4,750
- Largest grant$300,000
- Assets$7.3 million
- New grantees53%
Giving in 2025 was up from $83,200 the year before.
53% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $122,500 | 10 | $5.5 million |
| 2024 | $83,200 | 11 | $6.6 million |
| 2025 | $460,500 | 16 | $7.3 million |
How to apply
Lighten Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Lighten Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Georgia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 1 | $300,000 |
| New York | 6 | $71,500 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $50,000 |
| Tennessee | 2 | $33,000 |
| Michigan | 2 | $2,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $2,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $1,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boule Foundation | General & Unrestricted | $300,000 |
| Grace Baptist Church | General & Unrestricted | $32,000 |
| Divine Favor & Fellowship Ministries | General & Unrestricted | $26,000 |
| NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Yale University | The Peter Salovey and Marta Moret Scholarship Fund at Yale | $25,000 |
| Yale University | The Ogilvie Robinson deChabert Leadership Forum of the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale | $25,000 |
| Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Inc | Ailey Dancers' Resource Fund | $10,000 |
| Center Chapel Missionary Baptist Church | General & Unrestricted | $7,000 |
| New Rochelle Police Foundation Inc | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| March of Dimes Inc | General & Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Delta Animal Shelter | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Delta County Cancer Alliance Inc | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Fellas College Scholarship Fund | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Marc Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Foundation | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| NAACP Foundation | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Adrienne J Lighten
- Alexis N Lighten
- Christopher W Lighten
- Michael D Lighten
- William E Lighten
Questions people ask
Does Lighten Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Lighten Family Foundation give?
$460,500 in tax year 2025, across 16 grants, with a typical grant of $4,750.
Who runs Lighten Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Adrienne J Lighten (VP), Alexis N Lighten (VP), Christopher W Lighten (VP) and Michael D Lighten (VP) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Lighten Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and arts and culture.