The Benter Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Benter Foundation is a private foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.4 million in 50 grants; the typical grant was $27,500 and the largest $800,000. 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$3.4 million
- Number of grants50
- Typical grant$27,500
- Largest grant$800,000
- Assets$179,355
- New grantees33%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.1 million the year before.
33% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.1 million | 50 | $144,732 |
| 2024 | $3.1 million | 44 | $186,310 |
| 2025 | $3.4 million | 50 | $179,355 |
How to apply
The Benter 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Benter Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 50 | $3.4 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Support of vibrant streets fund, innovative programming snf implementation of market square revitalization | $800,000 |
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Final installment of ambassadors pledge | $300,000 |
| Propel Schools Foundation Inc | Support of six post-secondary scholarships awarded over three years | $180,000 |
| Grantmakers of Western Pa | Second installment of three year grant to support the launch of a regional capacity building initiative | $166,667 |
| Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources DBA Pittsburgh Cultural Trust | Two installments of capital campaign pledge for cabaret series | $150,000 |
| Pittsburgh Symphony Inc DBA Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra | First installment of four-year capital campaign pledge | $125,000 |
| Point Park University | Support of an assistant director position for pittsburgh media partnership activities | $121,600 |
| Pittsburgh Opera Inc | General operating support | $120,000 |
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Support of a pollinator parklet for downtown pittsburgh | $93,000 |
| Pittsburgh Symphony Inc DBA Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra | General operating support | $90,000 |
| Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | Support for mellon square safety, security and summer programming | $80,000 |
| Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Inc | Support of performances | $75,000 |
| Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Inc | Support of cinderella staged in 2025 | $75,000 |
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Support for shadow student athlete development corporation outreach efforts downtown | $75,000 |
| Point Park University | Final installment of two-year grant to support programs for the pittsburgh downtown media hub; business planning for center for media innovation and press forward local chapter | $67,195 |
| Reading Ready Pittsburgh Inc | Support for dolly parton imagination library program in the city of pittsburgh | $60,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Western Pa | Support of a safety plan for a downtown youth club | $50,000 |
| Friends of the Riverfront | Creation of a strategic operating plan | $50,000 |
| STEM Coding Lab Inc | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest DBA Tree Pittsburgh | Support of fundraising and revenue enhancements | $40,000 |
| Pittsburgh Public Theater | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Quantum Theatre Inc | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Support for glenn davis exhibition | $32,000 |
| Bike Pittsburgh Inc | General operating support and support for open streets | $30,000 |
| Mattress Factory | General operating support | $30,000 |
| Downtown Neighbors Alliance | Support for momentum award | $25,000 |
| Hello Neighbor | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Pa Cleanways of Allegheny County DBA Allegheny Cleanways | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Pittsburgh Glass Center Inc | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Pittsburgh Public Theater | Support of due diligence for possible theater merger | $25,000 |
| Publicsource | General operating support | $25,000 |
| Spotlight Pa | Support of spotlight pa matching campaigns | $25,000 |
| World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh | Support of a special fud in honor of schuyler foerster | $25,000 |
| Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Inc | Gallery exhibition downtown | $22,900 |
| Attack Theatre Inc | General operating support | $20,000 |
| City Theatre Company Inc DBA City Theatre | General operating support and new downtown works | $20,000 |
| Grow Pittsburgh | Support of seasonal farmers market in homewood | $20,000 |
| Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh | Matching funds to support an end of year individual, online fundraising campaign. | $20,000 |
| CRE8DANCE | Support for momentum award | $15,000 |
| Imani Christian Academy | Support for momentum award | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- William F Benter
- Bruce Benter
- Bruce Pyle
Questions people ask
Does The Benter Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Benter Foundation give?
$3.4 million in tax year 2025, across 50 grants, with a typical grant of $27,500.
Who runs The Benter Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists William F Benter (President & Director), Bruce Benter (Secretary & Director) and Bruce Pyle (Treasurer & Director).
What does The Benter Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, arts and culture and education.