Luminescence Foundation Inc.

## How to Approach the Luminescence Foundation

Important: The Luminescence Foundation has an explicit policy of funding only preselected charitable organizations. They do not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.

### What This Means for Grantseekers

The foundation's invitation-only model means that traditional application strategies will not work. Instead, organizations interested in potential funding should consider the following approaches:

### Building Visibility

1. Align with their priorities. The foundation favors medical research (especially cancer and Alzheimer's), animal welfare, education, and cultural preservation. Organizations working in these areas are more likely to come to the foundation's attention.

2. Strengthen your Virginia presence. With 50% of grants going to Virginia-based organizations, having a local footprint in the Marshall/Middleburg/Fauquier County area or broader Virginia region can be advantageous.

3. Demonstrate research impact. The foundation's largest grants go to institutions with proven track records in medical research. Peer-reviewed publications, clinical trial results, and measurable outcomes matter.

4. Network through existing grantees. Organizations already funded by the Luminescence Foundation (such as the Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Middleburg Humane Foundation) may provide introductions or collaborative opportunities.

### What Not to Do

• Do not send unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry
• Do not call requesting application materials — none exist
• Do not assume the foundation's website contains application information

### Alternative Funding Sources

Organizations in the foundation's focus areas should also explore other Virginia-based family foundations, the Community Foundation of the Blue Ridge, and national funders in medical research, animal welfare, or arts and culture.

## Funding Patterns & Financial Analysis

The Luminescence Foundation demonstrates strong financial health and a growing commitment to charitable giving.

### Key Financial Metrics (2024)

### Revenue Sources (2024)

• Asset Sales: $2.9 million (46.7%) — indicates active portfolio management
• Contributions: $2.5 million (40.0%) — the Ben-Dov family continues to fund the foundation
• Dividends: $408,782 (6.5%)
• Interest: $268,517 (4.3%)

### Growth Trajectory

The foundation's assets have grown more than fourfold over the past 13 years: - 2011: $7.2 million - 2018: $14.4 million - 2024: $30.9 million

This growth reflects both ongoing contributions from the founding family and strong investment performance.

### Payout Analysis

The foundation's 2024 charitable disbursements of $2.76 million represent approximately 8.9% of total assets — well above the IRS-required minimum payout of 5% for private foundations.

### Grant Sizing Strategy

• Range: $100 to $666,667 per award
• Median Grant: $15,000
• Annual Volume: 56 grants (2024), down from 104 in 2022
• Total Annual Giving: ~$2.8 million

The decline from 104 grants in 2022 to 56 in 2024, while total giving remained stable, signals a strategic shift toward fewer but larger grants — concentrating impact in key areas like medical research.

### Top 2024 Recipients

1. Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) — $1.66 million across multiple grants 2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) — $600,000 3. University of Chicago (Alzheimer's research) — $400,000 4. New York Presbyterian Fund Inc. — $400,000 5. Middleburg Humane Foundation (Virginia) — $234,000

### Geographic Distribution

• Virginia: 50% of grants (local community focus)
• New York: 23% (major medical center funding)
• Washington, DC: 7%
• Maryland and other states: remaining share
• International: grants to organizations in Poland

## Peer Comparison

How does the Luminescence Foundation compare to similar private family foundations in Virginia? The following table benchmarks against peer foundations of comparable asset size operating in overlapping geographic and programmatic areas.

### Key Comparisons

Giving Rate: The Luminescence Foundation's payout rate of approximately 8.9% of assets is notably higher than the typical 5-7% range for private foundations of this size. This signals an above-average commitment to charitable impact.

Grant Concentration: With a median grant of $15,000 and a maximum of $666,667, the foundation shows a wide range in grant sizing. The top grants to the Mayo Clinic ($1.66M across multiple awards) represent highly concentrated bets on medical research outcomes.

Closed Application Policy: Like several other family foundations in the Virginia region (Ohrstrom, Roller-Bottimore), the Luminescence Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. This is common among family foundations that prefer to maintain direct relationships with grantees.

Geographic Footprint: While headquartered in rural Virginia, the foundation's giving extends nationally to major medical centers in Minnesota, New York, and Illinois — a broader geographic reach than most peers of similar size.

Growth Trajectory: The foundation's fourfold asset growth since 2011 is exceptional among peers and suggests the founding family continues to actively build the endowment, positioning the foundation for larger-scale impact in coming years.

## Recent Activity & Trends

### 2024 Grantmaking Highlights

The Luminescence Foundation awarded $2.76 million through 56 grants in 2024, reflecting a continued strategic shift toward fewer, higher-impact grants compared to prior years.

Major 2024 Awards: - Mayo Clinic — $1.66 million across multiple grants, making it the single largest recipient. This represents nearly 60% of total 2024 giving, demonstrating a deep commitment to the clinic's medical research programs. - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — $600,000 for cancer research - University of Chicago — $400,000 specifically for Alzheimer's disease research - New York Presbyterian Fund — $400,000 - Middleburg Humane Foundation — $234,000, reflecting strong local ties to Virginia's Fauquier County

### Grant Volume Trend

The foundation appears to have entered a consolidation phase after expanding rapidly in 2021-2022. With total giving remaining near $2.8 million while grant count dropped from 104 to 56, the average grant size has effectively doubled — from ~$27K to ~$49K per award.

### Financial Growth

Total assets reached $30.9 million in 2024, up from $14.4 million in 2018. The foundation continues to receive significant contributions ($2.5M in 2024) from the founding family while also generating investment income. This sustained endowment growth positions the foundation to increase its grantmaking in future years.

### Website Status

The foundation's website (luminescencefoundation.com) is live but does not contain substantive public content about its programs or grantmaking. This is consistent with its invitation-only funding model — the foundation has no need to attract applicants or publicize its activities.

## Application Tips & Checklist

### Reality Check

The Luminescence Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. There is no application form, no letter of inquiry process, and no open funding cycles. All grants go to organizations preselected by the foundation's board.

### If You Believe Your Organization Could Be a Fit

While you cannot apply directly, here is a practical checklist for positioning your organization:

• [ ] Confirm alignment — Does your work directly address medical research (cancer/Alzheimer's), education, animal welfare, environmental conservation, or arts/culture?
• [ ] Check geographic fit — Are you based in or serving Virginia, New York, DC, or Maryland?
• [ ] Review peer organizations — Are organizations similar to yours already receiving grants from this foundation?
• [ ] Build local connections — If in Virginia, engage with the Middleburg/Marshall/Fauquier County community where the Ben-Dov family is active
• [ ] Document outcomes — Ensure you have clear, measurable impact data — the foundation's preference for major research institutions suggests they value evidence-based approaches
• [ ] Explore board connections — Research whether any of the foundation's nine board members have ties to your organization's field or community
• [ ] Consider collaboration — Could you partner with an existing Luminescence Foundation grantee on a joint initiative?

### Key Contacts

• Zohar Ben-Dov — President & Director
• Lisa Ben-Dov — Vice President & Director
• Address: 2125 Hatchers Mill Road, Marshall, VA 20115
• Phone: 540-687-6644

### For Similar Open Funding Opportunities

If you work in the Luminescence Foundation's focus areas but need foundations that accept applications, consider: - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation — Education/scholarships (accepts applications) - Community Foundation of the Blue Ridge — Virginia community support - Virginia Health Care Foundation — Health services in Virginia - National Institutes of Health — Federal medical research funding