Lena Benas Memorial Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Lena Benas Memorial Fund supports health and human services organizations in Litchfield, Connecticut and the surrounding communities.
FUNDING AREAS: Health, human services
IP TAKE: This is a good funder to know for unrestricted general operating support in the Litchfield, Connecticut region.
PROFILE: Established in 1986, the Lena Benas Memorial Fund is a private foundation focused on Connecticut. Benas was a Litchfield, Connecticut, resident and passed away in in 2000. Bank of America’s Connecticut office manages the fund. Grantmaking funds health and human services.
The funder’s grantmaking targets underserved populations in the founder’s home region. It prioritizes organizations that provide housing maintenance to the local community and also human services programming to needy people. The funder makes grants for one-year periods. Past grantees include the Litchfield Community Services Fund, Susan B. Anthony Project, Rebuilding Together in Litchfield, and the Town of Litchfield. All of these grants were for unrestricted general support. According to Foundation Center data, this funder has provided at least 76 grants totaling over $580,000 to at least 20 recipients.
Foundation grants range between $10,000 and $20,000. Review the funder’s recent tax records to learn more about its local giving. The foundation’s giving is largely focused on Litchfield, Connecticut. However, the funder also supports the surrounding communities around Litchfield, specifically, Cornwall, Goshen, Harwinton, Morris, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington and Watertown.
The Benas Memorial Fund accepts unsolicited grant applications from local nonprofits. The annual deadline for applications is November 1, and the funder notifies applicants of grant decisions within two months of that deadline. Direct general questions to the Connecticut Bank of America office at ct.grantmaking@ustrust.com or 860-244-4870.
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