Making Life Better Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Making Life Better Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2025 it gave $165,000 in 7 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $96,000. 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$165,000
- Number of grants7
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$96,000
- Assets$1.5 million
- New grantees71%
Giving in 2025 was up from $137,000 the year before.
71% 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 | $95,000 | 5 | $892,888 |
| 2024 | $137,000 | 5 | $1.3 million |
| 2025 | $165,000 | 7 | $1.5 million |
How to apply
Making Life Better 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 Making Life Better Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Arizona.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | $96,000 |
| Colorado | 4 | $40,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $24,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation Inc | Highly-Johansen Homes Build Weekend fund | $96,000 |
| Won by One to Jamaica | Construction fund for a classroom at St. Jago All Age School in Jamaica to alleviate overcrowding | $24,000 |
| Partners in Housing Inc A Colorado Non-Profit Corp | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| The Center for Applied Learning and Leadership | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| University Schools | To purchase chromebooks for classroom use | $7,000 |
| Food Bank of North Alabama | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Ed | Back-to-School Science Event | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Brian Bahr
- Jonathan Lee Dron
- Dennis Obenauf
Questions people ask
Does Making Life Better Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Making Life Better Foundation give?
$165,000 in tax year 2025, across 7 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Making Life Better Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Brian Bahr (Dir, Pres, Sec, Treas), Jonathan Lee Dron (Dir, VP) and Dennis Obenauf (Dir).
What does Making Life Better Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education.