Lawson Valentine Foundation
The Lawson Valentine Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1989 in Connecticut. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the foundation was created through the generosity of Alice Doyle, who inherited eleven paintings by renowned 19th-century artist Winslow Homer. The foundation's grantmaking strategy focuses on providing long-term support to grassroots community-based organizers and advocates, low-wage workers, and other change agents working among people of color, low-income youth, immigrants, refugees, and other underserved populations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.1M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$328K
-35.2% YoY
Grant Count
63
-1.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-34.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lawson Valentine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $678K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizing, policy, and leadership development in food systems, food sovereignty, and workers' rights. Funding is also focused on climate and environmental justice in disempowered communities.
Primary areas of interest include:
- Food Systems – Supporting sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and policy development
- Environmental Justice – Focusing on justice in disempowered communities
- Workers' Rights – Empowering workers through rights advocacy and advocacy for low-wage workers
- Human Rights – Broader human rights initiatives
- Economic Justice – Supporting economic equity and sustainability
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, with typical awards between $500 and $70,000. Recent grant activity shows:
Grant Range
** $4,000
Average Grant
** $9,300
Invitation Only
** Proposals by invitation only.
Ready to take the next step with Lawson Valentine Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds primarily in the Northeast, with grants also made in New York, Georgia, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets (2023): $14,648,162
- Total Assets (2024): $15,148,739
- Total Revenues (2023): $562,112
- Total Expenses (2023): $832,586
- Total Giving (2024): $328,200
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,148,739 | $14,648,162 | $13,909,723 |
| Revenue | $3,269,615 | $562,112 | $949,125 |
| Expenses | $654,228 | $832,586 | $880,216 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $500,418 | $720,759 | $768,459 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,091,385 | $448,865 | $830,637 |
| Distributable Amount | $678,226 | $691,246 | $713,032 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alternatives for Community & Environment ($20,000), Conservation Law Foundation ($20,000), Grassroots International ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1FOR3ORG WINCHESTER, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $4,500 |
| ALASKA INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE ANCHORAGE, AK | GENERAL PURPOSE | $6,000 |
| ALLIED MEDIA PROJECT DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $4,000 |
| ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT ROXBURY, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $20,000 |
| ART EFFECT OF THE HUDSON VALLEY POUGHKEEPSIE, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $4,000 |
| AVP INTERNATIONAL MELBORNE, FL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| AVP USA RICHMOND, IN | GENERAL PURPOSE | $5,200 |
| BURMESE ROHINGYA COMMUNITY OF GEORGIA CLARKSTON, GA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| C-CHANGE CONVERSIONS PRINCETON, NJ | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| CHICAGO FREEDOM SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Elizabeth Corsa – Executive Director and Treasurer
- Paul E Vawter – Trustee
- Valentine Doyle – Trustee
- Lucy Miller – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCY MILLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAUL E VAWTER JR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| VALENTINE DOYLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALLEN DOYLE | TRUSTEE/CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MARK LINDEMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KOLU ZIGBI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH CORSA | EXEC DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 40 | $85,000 |
| MARGARET LINDEMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MELANIE RENEE ALLEN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.lawsonvalentine.org
- Phone: 860-570-0728
- Email: info@lawsonvalentine.org
- Address: 15 Roszel Rd Ste 10, Princeton, NJ 08540-6248
- Mailing Address: PO Box 1024, Glastonbury, CT 06033
- EIN: 13-6920044
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lawson Valentine Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizing, policy, and leadership development in food systems, food sovereignty, and workers' rights. Funding is also focused on climate and environmental justice in disempowered communities. Primary areas of interest include: • **Food Systems** – Supporting sustainable agriculture, food sovereignty, and policy development • **Environmental Justice** – Focusing on justice in disempowered communities • **Workers' Rights** – Empowering workers through rights advocacy and …
How do I apply for a grant from Lawson Valentine Foundation?
The foundation makes grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, with typical awards between $500 and $70,000. Recent grant activity shows: • **Total giving (2024):** $328,200 • **Number of grants (2023):** 47 grants totaling $327,833 • **Median grant size:** $4,000 • **Average grant size:** $9,300 **Application Process:** Proposals by invitation only. **Recent grantees include:** • Massachusetts Avenue Project ($25,000) • Food Chain Workers Alliance ($25,000) • Nuestras Raices ($25,000) • The Carr…
Where does Lawson Valentine Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds primarily in the Northeast, with grants also made in New York, Georgia, and California.
What size grants does Lawson Valentine Foundation award?
In 2024, Lawson Valentine Foundation awarded 63 grants totaling $328K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lawson Valentine Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lawson Valentine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $678K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lawson Valentine Foundation's EIN?
Lawson Valentine Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6920044. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lawson Valentine Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Laborers Intl Union of 472 Hcl
NEWARK, NJ
Assets
$61.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$179K
The Community Chest of Englewood
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Assets
$491K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
61
Total Given
$6.9M
Anplr Religious Education Inc
PASSAIC, NJ
Assets
$19K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The William & Phyllis Mack Family
FORT LEE, NJ
Assets
$5.9M
Grants
53
Total Given
$3.2M
New Digital Trade Coalition Ndtc
NORTH BERGEN, NJ
Assets
$300
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Lawson Valentine Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Lawson Valentine Foundation to a real strategy.