Lee Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Los Angeles, CA EIN: 74-3235054

Lee Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Los Angeles, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $95K. Net investment income was $6K.

Key facts about Lee Foundation

EIN: 74-3235054
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $95,000
Grants made (2024): 5
Average grant: $19,000
Median grant: $20,000
Total assets: $1,447,850
Primary geography: California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Lee Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Lee Foundation's 5 itemized 2024 grants were California (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pasadena, CA (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How Lee Foundation gives

Giving fell 71% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 150% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.4M

+11.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$95K

-57.4% YoY

Grant Count

-44.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$19K

-23.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Lee Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

California $95K (100%)

Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Colorado Florida Massachusetts New York Wisconsin

Cities

PasadenaLos AngelesBurbankCorona Del MarArcadiaCambridgeDenverGlendaleIrvineJacksonvilleLa Canada FlintridgeMadisonNew YorkSan Marino

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,447,850	$1,302,739	$1,386,875
Revenue	$-80,563	$30,394	$344,784
Expenses	$105,275	$235,224	$404,024
Qualifying Distributions	$98,775	$226,650	$391,429
Net Investment Income	$5,537	$23,425	$136,702
Distributable Amount	$65,724	$70,427	$80,178

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

32 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include The J Paul Getty Trust ($25,000), Fu-Jen University Foundation ($25,000), Caltech ($20,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
THE J PAUL GETTY TRUST Los Angeles, CA	TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.	$25,000
FU-JEN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Glendale, CA	TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.	$25,000
CALTECH Pasadena, CA	TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.	$20,000
DOOR OF HOPE Pasadena, CA	TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.	$20,000
HARBOR DAY ENDOWMENT CORPORATION Corona Del Mar, CA	TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.	$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
David L Lee	Director, Treasurer/CFO	1	—
Ellen W Lee	Director, President	1	—
Benjamin K Lee	Director, Secretary	1	—
Bonnie a Lee	Director	1	—
Rachel R Lee	Director	1	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lee Foundation?

Lee Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Los Angeles, CA. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Lee Foundation?

As of 2024, Lee Foundation holds $1.4M in total assets with $-80,563 in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $95K in 2024.

Where does Lee Foundation operate?

Lee Foundation has awarded grants in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin.

What size grants does Lee Foundation award?

In 2024, Lee Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $95K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Lee Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $66K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.