Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation
The Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Rockville, Maryland. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations including literacy, humanitarian relief, cultural, food-access, and community-service organizations.
Key facts about Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation
In short: Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation gave $48K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in District of Columbia. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 52-2256895
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $47,610
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- Average grant
- $3,968
- Median grant
- $750
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $108,020
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$108K
+36.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$48K
-52.6% YoY
Grant Count
12
-52.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-1.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $500 repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with a range of missions. Reading Is Fundamental describes its work as addressing the U.S. literacy crisis by inspiring children’s joy of reading. American Friends of Magen David Adom says it supports the lifesaving efforts of Magen David Adom in Israel. Capital Area Food Bank describes its mission as expanding equitable access to food and opportunity through community partnerships. Bread for the City says it serves low-income Washington, D.C. residents with food, clothing, medical care, legal and social services, and community organizing and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $47,610. Grants ranged from $250 to $20,000, with a median grant of $750. The largest awards included $20,000 to Reading Is Fundamental for books and reading resources for children nationwide; $10,000 to Future for Ukraine Foundation to support displaced children, survivors of war, and veterans; and $6,800 to Capital Jewish Museum for its capital campaign. Other notable grants were $3,600 each to American Friends of Magen David Adom and Seed of Peace.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, D.C.; 23% to Maryland; 15% to New York; and 1% each to Georgia and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2020) to $100K (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $48K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Reading Is Fundamental ($20K). Together the top 10 received $47K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 82 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Is Fundamental Washington, DC | Provide Books and Reading Resources to Children Nationwide | $20,000 |
| Future for Ukraine Foundation Gaithersburg, MD | Contribution to support for displaced children, survivors of war, veterans | $10,000 |
| Capital Jewish Museum Washington, DC | Contribution to the Museum's Capital Campaign | $6,800 |
| American Friends of Magen David Adom New York, NY | Contribution to support israel's national emergency response, blood services, and disaster relief system | $3,600 |
| Seed of Peace New York, NY | Contribution to provide support, programs and resources for young leaders in the middle east | $3,600 |
| Olney Ballet Theater Gaithersburg, MD | Contribution to Help with Friends Child's Tuition | $1,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $500 |
| Habitat for Humanity Americus, GA | Contributions to help families and communities build affordable home | $500 |
| No Kid Hungry by Share Our Strength Washington, DC | Inspired people, sharing strenghs, so all children and families live without hunger | $500 |
| Weta Arlington, VA | Support Programs at Weta Stations | $500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $108,020 | $78,782 | $49,945 | $47,610 | 12 |
| 2023 | $79,183 | $76,094 | $102,481 | $100,452 | 25 |
| 2022 | $105,570 | $74,519 | $66,274 | $61,290 | 13 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $108,020 | $79,183 | $105,570 |
| Revenue | $78,782 | $76,094 | $74,519 |
| Expenses | $49,945 | $102,481 | $66,274 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $49,945 | $102,481 | $66,274 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,610 | $4,377 | $5,076 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark D. Lerner as president, Judy Lenkin Lerner as secretary/treasurer, and Lauren Sarah Lerner as vice president.
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation is led by Mark D. Lerner, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mark D. Lerner
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$990 (2022) → $0 (2024)
Judy Lenkin Lerner
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$990 (2022) → $0 (2024)
Lauren Sarah Lerner
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $990, to Mark D Lerner (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2000 Tower Oaks Blvd Eighth Floor, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 284-6000
Frequently asked questions about Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation
How much does Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation give each year?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation gave $48K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $100K across 25 grants.
What is Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $750, and its average grant was $3,968, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation give grants?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (23%) and New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants), Gaithersburg, MD (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Reading Is Fundamental ($20,000), Future for Ukraine Foundation ($10,000) and Capital Jewish Museum ($6,800), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation reported $108K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $50K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with a range of missions. Reading Is Fundamental describes its work as addressing the U.S. literacy crisis by inspiring children’s joy of reading. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Judy and Mark Lerner Family 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 Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's EIN?
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2256895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Judy and Mark Lerner Family 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 September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Maryland
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
The Keith Campbell Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Keith Campbell Foundation funds nonprofits working for equitable, livable communities, especially on watershed health, clean water, agriculture, and related community needs, with a focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and California’s San Francisco Bay watershed. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests, with two application cycles per year.
Assets
$420.2M
Grants
688
Total Given
$27.9M
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funds cystic fibrosis research, drug development, specialized care, and related training and clinical programs. In 2024, its grants had a median of about $150,000, with awards ranging from $2,800 to nearly $12.9 million; it supports work nationwide. Applications are submitted through specific funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$5.0B
Grants
624
Total Given
$189.6M
Baltimore Community Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Community Foundation supports schools, neighborhoods, and community projects, including work on kindergarten readiness, student well-being, neighborhood vitality, and arts and culture. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $19,800, with amounts varying widely, and its strategic school and neighborhood grants focus on Baltimore City and Baltimore County. It invites applications through its online portal for specified grant programs.
Assets
$314.3M
Grants
604
Total Given
$29.3M
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore supports Jewish life and related charitable, educational, religious, health, humanitarian, cultural, and social-service needs in Baltimore, nationally, in Israel, and worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,020 to $15.25 million, with a median of $18,750; the profile describes specific funding opportunities and donor-advised fund recommendations but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$446.7M
Grants
515
Total Given
$53.0M
Nora Roberts Foundation
Glenn Dale, MD
The Nora Roberts Foundation prioritizes literacy and also supports the arts, children, social justice, and the environment. It gives mainly in Maryland and nearby parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC, while also making grants nationwide; typical grants are about $3,000–$5,000. Its 2025 filing says it funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$118.6M
Grants
466
Total Given
$7.5M
The Abell Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Abell Foundation funds nonprofits, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects addressing health, education, community development, workforce, justice and addiction, the environment, and arts, as well as Baltimore-focused research and catalytic business investments. Its giving is focused on Baltimore City, with a typical grant of about $20,000 (2024 median; awards ranged from $188 to $300,000). It accepts applications: requests of $10,000 or less are reviewed on a rolling basis, while larger requests go through five annual board meetings.
Assets
$296.4M
Grants
391
Total Given
$13.4M
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc
North Bethesda, MD
The Federation funds Jewish communal organizations and programs, including services for people in need, Jewish learning and engagement, youth and family programs, inclusion, community security, and work connecting the region with Israel and Jewish communities abroad. In 2025 it made 360 grants, with a median award of $20,000; grants ranged from $5,001 to $3.3 million, primarily supporting organizations in Greater Washington as well as national and international partners. It issues requests for proposals when opportunities are available; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$388.5M
Grants
360
Total Given
$34.1M
Enterprise Community Partners Inc
Columbia, MD
Enterprise Community Partners funds affordable housing and community development, including housing production and preservation, community organizations, capacity building, and related resident services. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $45,000, with awards ranging from $5,500 to about $13.6 million, and its work spans the United States. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$941.1M
Grants
347
Total Given
$61.8M
More Funders in Maryland
Judy and Mark Lerner Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?