Dorothy Lemelson Foundation
The Dorothy Lemelson Foundation is a private foundation based in Reno, Nevada. Its 2024 grants supported organizations and programs working in education, youth services, health, and community support.
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation at a glance
In short: Dorothy Lemelson Foundation gave $2.5M across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $77K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,537,616
- +29.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $76,897
- -6.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $41,125,100
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Dorothy Lemelson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7800 Rancharrah Parkway, Reno, NV 89511
Phone: (775) 788-2200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dorothy Lemelson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The National Musuem of American History Smithsonian Institution ($600K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 142 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to organizations in the District of Columbia (28%), Oregon (23%), Nevada (21%), Georgia (20%), and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Dorothy Lemelson Foundation gives
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 149% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 133% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $820K (2019) to $2.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The National Musuem of American History Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC | Provided archival materials to be used for standard museum purposes for education and nonproift activities | $600,000 |
| Georgia Reslience and Opportunity Fund Atlanta, GA | Support for the Baby Bonds Pilot Program | $500,000 |
| Washoe County School District Reno, NV | $146,906 support for 2024-2025 stem coordinator at the dorothy lemelson stem academy (any excess is to be used in furtherance of educational programming)$30,000 support for 2024-2025 school supplies for students of the dorothy lemelson stem academy$8,110 support for 5th grade grizzly creek ranch field trip$1,600 support for 2024 graduation books for students | $186,616 |
| Planned Parenthood Cascade Willamette Portland, OR | Support for the Eastern Oregon Education Expansion | $125,000 |
| Holla School Portland, OR | Support for the School Counselor Position | $112,000 |
| Bridge Meadows Portland, OR | $30,000 of support for the project manager position$75,000 of support for the community support specialist position | $105,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno Reno, NV | Support for Dean's Future Scholars | $100,000 |
| Willamette University Salem, OR | Support for the dorothy lemelson foundation grant fund at the university's pacific northwest college of the arts | $100,000 |
| Teaching for Change Washington, DC | Support for the zinn education project's teach for black lives | $75,000 |
| Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum Reno, NV | Support for the Spark Lab Staff Position | $62,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dorothy Lemelson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $41,125,100 | $4,179,998 | $3,388,352 | $2,537,616 | 33 | $2,885,051 | $1,782,237 | $2,169,142 |
| 2023 | $40,333,454 | $14,001,054 | $2,610,155 | $1,964,551 | 24 | $2,358,814 | $315,600 | $1,403,956 |
| 2022 | $28,942,555 | $739,045 | $1,776,196 | $1,216,405 | 25 | $1,551,593 | $561,611 | $1,437,179 |
| 2021 | $31,547,610 | $30,948,802 | $1,046,771 | $1,017,322 | 1 | $1,046,771 | — | $118,194 |
| 2020 | $1,645,579 | $1,000,000 | $863,271 | $832,583 | 59 | — | — | $92,873 |
| 2019 | $1,508,850 | $926,090 | $837,464 | $820,108 | 24 | — | — | $86,866 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dorothy Lemelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for education, including STEM programming, school staffing and supplies, and educational initiatives; youth and family services; and other community programs.
Several grantees describe their work in their own terms. HOLLA School says it is a tuition-free public charter school serving K–2 students and aims to change the academic narratives of Black, Brown, and Indigenous youth. Bridge Meadows says it develops supportive intergenerational communities for families of children who have experienced foster care and older adults. P:ear says it mentors Portland’s homeless youth. Children’s Institute says it provides early education, behavioral health, and family-strengthening services to children and families in Los Angeles.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $2,537,616. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $600,000, with a median of $30,000. Examples include $600,000 to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution for archival materials for museum education and nonprofit activities; $500,000 to the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund for a baby bonds pilot program; and $186,616 to Washoe County School District for STEM Academy staffing, school supplies, a field trip, and graduation books.
Other grants included $125,000 to Planned Parenthood Cascade Willamette for an Eastern Oregon education expansion; $112,000 to HOLLA School for a school counselor position; $105,000 to Bridge Meadows for project manager and community support specialist positions; and $100,000 each to the University of Nevada, Reno, for Dean’s Future Scholars, and Willamette University for its Pacific Northwest College of the Arts grant fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Caryn Swobe as vice president, treasurer, director, and operations executive; Jennifer Bruml as president, director, and partnerships executive; and Zoe Luh Morse Lemelson as secretary, director, and programs executive.
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation is led by Jennifer Bruml, President, Director & Partnerships Executive since 2024 (on filings since 2019); all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer Bruml
President, Director & Partnerships Executive
President & Director → President, Director & Program Officer, 2022
President, Director & Program Officer → President, Director & Partnerships Executive, 2024
On filings since 2019
15 hrs/week
$5K (2019) → $62K (2024)
Caryn Swobe
Vice President, Tr, Director & Operations Executive
Vice President, Tr & Director → Vice President, Tr, Director & Program Officer, 2022
Vice President, Tr, Director & Program Officer → Vice President, Tr, Director & Operations Executive, 2024
On filings since 2019
15 hrs/week
$60K (2022) → $62K (2024)
Zoe Luh Morse Lemelson
Secretary, Director & Programs Executive
Secretary & Director → Secretary, Director & Program Officer, 2022
Secretary, Director & Program Officer → Secretary, Director & Programs Executive, 2024
On filings since 2019
15 hrs/week
$5K (2019) → $62K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $62K, to Caryn Swobe (VP/Tr/Director/Operations Executive). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dorothy Lemelson Foundation
How much does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation give each year?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation gave $2.5M across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 24 grants.
What is Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's typical grant size?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $76,897, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation give grants?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Oregon (23%) and Nevada (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Reno, NV (9 grants), Portland, OR (9 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's largest grantees?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The National Musuem of American History Smithsonian Institution ($600,000), Georgia Reslience and Opportunity Fund ($500,000) and Washoe County School District ($186,616), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dorothy Lemelson Foundation?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation reported $41.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2024 grants show support for education, including STEM programming, school staffing and supplies, and educational initiatives; youth and family services; and other community programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dorothy Lemelson Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's EIN?
Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-5079187. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Dorothy Lemelson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dorothy Lemelson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dorothy-lemelson-foundation-morg_c16f1db550fc4242af835f356916f7dc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_455079187_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dorothy Lemelson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dorothy-lemelson-foundation-morg_c16f1db550fc4242af835f356916f7dc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Dorothy Lemelson Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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